The Way of Life
The letter from James is full of practical wisdom for our daily lives. James was the brother of Jesus, so his writing is full of teachings similar to how Jesus taught in the Gospels.
James 4:17 provides us with a very simple definition of sin. James says that sin is when we know what we ought to do and we do not do it. It’s when we have knowledge of what we should do, and we deliberately choose not to do it.
There are many ways that we learn what the right thing to do is. When we read Scripture, we are constantly learning how God wants us to live, and what He wants us to do with our lives. We also have the Holy Spirit within us who guides and teaches us.
We have no excuse for not knowing the right thing to do in almost any situation, because God has told us how we should act. So when we decide not to live according to God’s ways, we are sinning.
But the beauty of the gospel is that if we sin against God, we can still come to Him and confess our sins. God’s Word says that when we confess our sins to God, He is faithful to forgive us our sins—which means He doesn’t count our sins against us.
Take some time to think about an area where you know you’re not following God’s best for your life. Confess your sin to God and ask for forgiveness. Now, walk in the assurance that God has forgiven you, and provided a way for you to walk in the newness of life. Thank Him for His faithfulness.
Peace That Stays
Everyone wants peace. In the world, in our homes, and in our hearts. In difficult times, we seek comfort. In heartbreaking moments, we want a peace that remains steady despite the circumstances.
The Bible teaches about this kind of peace. Philippians 4:7 describes the peace of God. No amount of self-talk or meditation can manufacture this kind of peace—it only can come from God Himself. Preacher and theologian Charles Spurgeon described this kind of peace as the perfect calm and happiness of God, who is always content.
This peace transcends all understanding. It's the idea that something goes beyond our normal way of thinking. That is a beautiful description of what God’s peace does. It exceeds our understanding and surpasses anything we could expect or imagine. It also guards and protects our hearts and minds.
How do we get this kind of peace? The surrounding verses in Philippians offer guidance. Philippians 4:6 tells us to take every anxious thought and turn it into a ...