November 8, 2018 – James 1:19-21

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.  James 1:19-21.

We live upside down most of our lives, until we learn God’s Way! Impatience leads to not listening and to hurting words.  Our anger flares up like a forest fire burning those we love.   Quick to listen and slow to speak and get angry shuts our heart’s door to God’s righteousness.  

How often we see ourselves in the mirror, and forget who we are? We remember even as hair turns gray and wrinkles are added. When we see God’s reflection of His love in our hearts for others, we know we truly hear God’s perfect Love found in His Word. This perfect Word sets us free to be who God planned for us to be.

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. I John 4:7.  For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. Galatians 3:26-27.

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.  James 1:22-24.