Monday Reading: James 1:12-18
Key Verse: James 1:18
18 Of His own will He brought us forth with the Word of truth, for us to be a certain first-fruit of His creatures.
Devotion:
It is not every person who suffers that is blessed for suffering is something brought upon us through the sins of the world. Whilst our own sins may well bring us hardships it is most often the sins of man that bring us the most suffering. Just because we put up with these things does not mean that we will be blessed later; if you are seeking a blessing then you must be working for God. Being surrounded by suffering does not mean that we have to give up our work for Christ but rather to stick to it more so that others will see an example of faith. It is when we are able to continue resisting temptation through Christ’s strength that we will shine and others will notice because we no longer seek to give ourselves the glory but to give it to Christ.
God will not send us temptations to test our resolve and see if we are worthy of His love. He has already shown us that He is willing to give that love and mercy to everyone who is willing to believe on Him. Yes He may allow temptations to come our way, but these are the temptations that all around are seeing too because they come from the world and not from God. We are to separate ourselves from man by depending on God for the strength to resist these temptations. Though those around us may give in and be led away, we are to remain strong in our faith that Christ will deliver us from those same temptations. He will not allow us to be consumed by temptations that He knows we will not be able to resist because He knows our limits.
When we give in to temptation we are seduced by worldly things and turn away from God. That is when we bring sin into our lives and with that sin comes our death. Christ has given us the way forward so that we will not have to pay that death penalty because He has already paid it for us. God is the one who supplies us with the positive and righteous gifts that will lead us away from temptation. We are the ones that have to take what He gives us and know that He is protecting us all the way. We are His and He will not let us go.
Points to Ponder:
What do you give in to most?
Are you asking for His protection and strength?
