Word@Work James14 - James 1:26-27
Published: Fri, 02/27/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
SIGNS OF SINCERITY
James 1:26-27 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (NIV)
How do you know that a Christian is sincere about their faith and not play-acting? Behaviour at church will not tell you everything. It is possible to say the right jargon words, adopt the body language of sincerity, and yet be a hypocrite. The best places to tell if someone's belief is faithful or fake are at work, in the home and when we are on our own. What comes out of our mouths reflects what is in our hearts (cf Matthew 15:18-19). The discipline we apply to our tongue reflects what we believe is important. The workplace exposes most hypocrites simply by giving them non-Christian space to open their mouths. But those who are growing in their relationship with Jesus will want to speak so that he will be pleased.
At home, hidden away from the spotlight of fellowship, the way people treat their family members will show how much they value the kindness, compassion and love that the Lord has lavished on them (cf 1 John 3:1). If we cannot care for the disabled, sick, infirm or disadvantaged in our family - how can we say that we value God's love? It may cost us time, energy and money to care for others, but it cost God the life of His own Son to care for us. And how do we honour the Lord when we are on our own? Does the anonymity of the big city give us licence to dishonour God by our behaviour - even if nobody else knows? The regular spiritual disciplines of Bible study and prayer, of waiting for God's time, service, and giving financially - are largely done secretly. But they help us to keep unpolluted by the world, because our attention is on the Lord and His purposes, rather than on ourselves and our cravings.
This shows us that the workplace is far more than an environment in which we occupy our time, (hopefully) enjoy our work and then get our money. It is the proving ground for our faith. Here, we demonstrate what we believe, by what we say and how we live. And it is important, because in the workplace many will make up their minds about whether they should search for Jesus, by listening to us. As our mouths open, they can see right into our hearts. If they wonder whether God would care for them, they look to see if we care for those close to us. So our out-of-church-life is both worship and witness. When the Christian lives consistently for Christ, He is worshipped and others are drawn to worship Him too.
Prayer: Dear Lord God. Please help me to see myself as I really am, because others can see it anyway. Help me to exercise the right disciplines over my mouth and private life so that my worship of You will be sincere and infectious to others. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and Spanish
How do you know that a Christian is sincere about their faith and not play-acting? Behaviour at church will not tell you everything. It is possible to say the right jargon words, adopt the body language of sincerity, and yet be a hypocrite. The best places to tell if someone's belief is faithful or fake are at work, in the home and when we are on our own. What comes out of our mouths reflects what is in our hearts (cf Matthew 15:18-19). The discipline we apply to our tongue reflects what we believe is important. The workplace exposes most hypocrites simply by giving them non-Christian space to open their mouths. But those who are growing in their relationship with Jesus will want to speak so that he will be pleased.
At home, hidden away from the spotlight of fellowship, the way people treat their family members will show how much they value the kindness, compassion and love that the Lord has lavished on them (cf 1 John 3:1). If we cannot care for the disabled, sick, infirm or disadvantaged in our family - how can we say that we value God's love? It may cost us time, energy and money to care for others, but it cost God the life of His own Son to care for us. And how do we honour the Lord when we are on our own? Does the anonymity of the big city give us licence to dishonour God by our behaviour - even if nobody else knows? The regular spiritual disciplines of Bible study and prayer, of waiting for God's time, service, and giving financially - are largely done secretly. But they help us to keep unpolluted by the world, because our attention is on the Lord and His purposes, rather than on ourselves and our cravings.
This shows us that the workplace is far more than an environment in which we occupy our time, (hopefully) enjoy our work and then get our money. It is the proving ground for our faith. Here, we demonstrate what we believe, by what we say and how we live. And it is important, because in the workplace many will make up their minds about whether they should search for Jesus, by listening to us. As our mouths open, they can see right into our hearts. If they wonder whether God would care for them, they look to see if we care for those close to us. So our out-of-church-life is both worship and witness. When the Christian lives consistently for Christ, He is worshipped and others are drawn to worship Him too.
Prayer: Dear Lord God. Please help me to see myself as I really am, because others can see it anyway. Help me to exercise the right disciplines over my mouth and private life so that my worship of You will be sincere and infectious to others. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
Why not share Word@Work with your friends - they can subscribe at http://www.beaconlight.co.uk/email
If you value your free Word@Work a donation will help us to maintain and develop the ministry - thank you!
Your next Word@Work will be sent on
All the 'back copies' for the series in Mark and Ephesians can be found on www.beaconlight.co.uk/email
W@WJames14 | Word@Work © Dr Paul Adams 2009 | Provided by BeaconLight
Contact us at wordatwork@beaconlight.co.uk
Contact us at wordatwork@beaconlight.co.uk