Word@Work James11 - James 1:21
Published: Tue, 02/24/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
RUBBISH DISPOSAL
James 1:21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. (NIV)
Recycling is fashionable. Rather than burning rubbish (increasing our greenhouse gasses), or burying it in landfill sites (where it may not degrade for hundreds of years), we are encouraged to recycle it. Many people do that with their moral rubbish too - they think that it will be better next time around. But it never is. Moral filth needs to be recognised for what it is (horribly offensive to God and polluting to us). We need a 'sin-disposal service', and in Christ Jesus that is what we can have. When Jesus died on the cross, he chose to take all our filth onto Himself, and to deal with its power as He was punished for our sin. So when we confess our sin, we can be completely forgiven (cf 1 John 1:9).
Confession is simply admitting our sin to Jesus, who has paid to take it away - never to be seen again (cf Micah 7:19, Psalm 103:12). The opposite is to accept that our sin is normal and natural. But that would disagree with God who does not want us to swallow Satan's poisonous lies - which leads to separation from God. Instead, God wants us to accept His truth (in the Bible). As we read it, seeds of truth are planted in our hearts. However, these do not grow up automatically to change our lives, we need to agree with them and make room for them to grow, by weeding out the moral filth. If we do not, the rubbish will choke the truth, engulfing us and those around us.
Humility is not often seen in the workplace. The pressure to reach targets encourages arrogance and pride, which become part of our moral filth. So it is counter-cultural to accept what God says, humbly. Others may ridicule you for 'blind faith', or call your trust in Jesus a 'crutch' for weaklings. Endure that kind of talk kindly, because they are wrong. Accepting that God always speaks the truth is wise as well as brave. Wise because salvation only comes through God's Word, which also gives us bravery to live wisely. So get rid of the rubbish, including pride (don't recycle filth); and accept God's Word with the humility of someone who is determined to do what he says!
Prayer: Father God. Sinfulness is everywhere around me, and so easily clings to me too. Help me to reject its claim over my life by taking it to Jesus, who died so that I can be fully forgiven. And help me to be humble enough to accept that I should do what You say, today at work. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and Spanish
Recycling is fashionable. Rather than burning rubbish (increasing our greenhouse gasses), or burying it in landfill sites (where it may not degrade for hundreds of years), we are encouraged to recycle it. Many people do that with their moral rubbish too - they think that it will be better next time around. But it never is. Moral filth needs to be recognised for what it is (horribly offensive to God and polluting to us). We need a 'sin-disposal service', and in Christ Jesus that is what we can have. When Jesus died on the cross, he chose to take all our filth onto Himself, and to deal with its power as He was punished for our sin. So when we confess our sin, we can be completely forgiven (cf 1 John 1:9).
Confession is simply admitting our sin to Jesus, who has paid to take it away - never to be seen again (cf Micah 7:19, Psalm 103:12). The opposite is to accept that our sin is normal and natural. But that would disagree with God who does not want us to swallow Satan's poisonous lies - which leads to separation from God. Instead, God wants us to accept His truth (in the Bible). As we read it, seeds of truth are planted in our hearts. However, these do not grow up automatically to change our lives, we need to agree with them and make room for them to grow, by weeding out the moral filth. If we do not, the rubbish will choke the truth, engulfing us and those around us.
Humility is not often seen in the workplace. The pressure to reach targets encourages arrogance and pride, which become part of our moral filth. So it is counter-cultural to accept what God says, humbly. Others may ridicule you for 'blind faith', or call your trust in Jesus a 'crutch' for weaklings. Endure that kind of talk kindly, because they are wrong. Accepting that God always speaks the truth is wise as well as brave. Wise because salvation only comes through God's Word, which also gives us bravery to live wisely. So get rid of the rubbish, including pride (don't recycle filth); and accept God's Word with the humility of someone who is determined to do what he says!
Prayer: Father God. Sinfulness is everywhere around me, and so easily clings to me too. Help me to reject its claim over my life by taking it to Jesus, who died so that I can be fully forgiven. And help me to be humble enough to accept that I should do what You say, today at work. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
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