Saturday 9 Feb 2019

February 9: James 1:12-18

Key Verse: James 1:18
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Devotion:
It is not every person who suffers who is blessed, for suffering is something brought upon us through the sins of the world. Whilst our own sins may well bring us hardships or consequences, it is most often the sins of mankind which bring us the most suffering. Just because we put up with these things does not mean we will be blessed later; if you are seeking a blessing then you must be seeking God’s will. Being surrounded by suffering does not mean we have to give up our work for Christ but rather to stick to it more so others will see an example of faith. It is when we are able to continue resisting temptation through Christ’s strength we 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 He is willing to give His 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 everyone around is seeing too because they come from the world and not from God. We are to separate ourselves from mainstream mankind 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 Christ will give us a way out of those same temptations. He will not allow us to be consumed by temptations which 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 it comes our death. Christ has given us the way forward so 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 which will lead us away from temptation. We are the ones who have to take what He gives us and know 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?