The desire that comes through faith and trust in The God of this so great salvation translates into transforming work. Results-oriented prayer and supplication, knowledge, understanding and wisdom are the essential elements for the assemblage of a spiritual house: "Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches." (Proverbs 24:3-4). The Lord Jesus Christ is the true architect of faith that works, and thus He demonstrated His love for us on the Cross and He serves as the sole source of such faith and love: "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2). Besides, He is plainly and simply The Truth.
Now, my beloved, some truths are worth repeating. In consideration of the context on which today's message rests, the following truth is more than worthy of repeating: Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Moreover, you cannot separate what you believe from what you do, because The Christian faith is a doing and believing faith. Otherwise, this crowning virtue of the Christian experience is rendered inoperable, inactive, immobile and dysfunctional. In other words, It is NOTHINGNESS. The apostle James, and the half-brother of Christ, issues a stark revelation on behalf of any and all who have been misguided, harbored either misconceptions, deceptions or both: "Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead." (James 2:21-26).
Faith in God is foremost in the defense of the working faith. And as chosen and dedicated defenders of the faith, we are in a season, my beloved, such that there is a sense of urgency that cannot be overstated. Under such circumstances, we simply cannot afford the risks of passivism or pessimism. Be on the alert and sober as you work, because the wiles of the devil are at work as well. Seek and secure the true wisdom of God, wherein the virtues of meekness and humility reside. Godly wisdom is readily available to His faithful and obedient few: "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness." (James 3:13-18).
Practical faith and perseverance will be worth their weight in gold, so that the subtle doubts we are subject to may be quenched, when our faith is under fire. The faithful and incomparable apostle Paul issues this Word of exhortation to his fledgling son in the faith, Timothy. (1 Timothy 1:2): "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:10-12).
In addition to a working, acting or an action-oriented faith, the Scriptures also make reference to the use or contribution of the mouth to supplement the effectiveness of a working faith. Now, I say that to say this, in times past, I have had the occasion to speak or teach through the use of my mouth, which houses and works jointly with an active tongue. Needless to say, both were products of necessity because of the nature of the work, and the fact that I found joy and satisfaction in providing a service for the benefit of others. The text below will both embellish on and bring to light another aspect of the collaboration of this dynamic duo, and in particular the tongue.
The epistle of James teaches that the very praise-worthy instrument employed for constructive teaching, or to convey and encourage unity and harmony, has earned a reputation for doing precisely the contrary. And we know that the truth of the matter is, the tongue has no shame and its sway is swift, ruthless and far-reaching. Consequently, tending towards the misapplication and misuse of the tongue is ever present. What then is the answer or the solution to this age-old issue? Well, the tongue that we have been blessed with, must be bridled. By definition, and in accord with Merriam-Webster dictionary, to bridle the tongue is to pull in the tongue, stifle the tongue, tame the tongue or constrain the tongue or rule the tongue. Need I say more.
Let us listen, hear and learn what thus sayeth the Word and the Spirit with respect to the plight and perils of the tongue:
(James 3:2-8)…
2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison
As a fitting end to today's sermon message, The Faithful Word of God, Jesus Christ, and through His emissary the apostle Paul, who admonishes, reminds and blesses us through the Holy and eternal Word. As the song proclaims "Eternal Life Has Risen" and we worship Him, love Him and give Him glory and honor and praise and thanksgiving; for He is all in all: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." (Romans 3:23-26).
"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:7-9).
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