James 1:8. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Well friends, the holiday done now, is time to get back to work…yes, for those of us who have jobs. And just for your info, we didn’t see any of the rain promised by the weather forecasters, so it was a mostly bright and sunshiny long weekend. And although they removed some restrictions for the lockdown, like outside sports, we still had people protesting about the mask wearing and what have you. I think some of us just like to protest yes. We not happy unless we up in arms about something, whether it’s a worthy cause or not.
But after wearing masks for over a year now, we should be comfortable with them and realize that they were the main prevention in our small arsenal of weapons against the virus. And the virus has not been licked as yet, so we still need to keep up our initial prevention mechanisms. Not to mention that there are also plenty powerful reactions and resentment against the vaccines that seem to hold our best hope of quieting the virus.
I see stuff all the time ranting and raving against the vaccine and how it’s going to change our DNA, how it’s going to allow the world leaders to control us and have us doing all sorts of ungodly stuff. One rant recently even purported to have it turning us away from God and becoming pagans. So who knows what’s the answer eh?
Sensible followers of Jesus do. We know, without a doubt, that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is the answer to all the problems of our confuffled and mislead world. But are we standing up strong and proclaiming His mighty and holy name? Are we being real salt of the earth and lights of the world as He so greatly desires us to be? Definitely not to the level we ought to! And how are we going to positively influence the world on Jesus’ behalf, if we don’t live the kind of life that will draw others to Him and thus glorify our heavenly Father eh?
As true believers, especially in this time of pandemic, we doing too much compromising with the enemy, too much sitting on the fence, foolishly straddling it waiting to see if everything going to work their way out without any sacrifice from us. But friends, that’s a foolish and non-Christian option or notion.
Remember what James, Christ’s brother says in his epistle. ‘If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not (without reproach); and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering (not doubting). For he that wavereth (doubts) is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.’ (James 1:5-8)
And that my friends is gospel truth! A wavering person is unreliable, and a wavering believer is even more so! And sadly, too many of us believers are currently sitting on the fence, wavering, waiting to see what will happen, instead of taking a firm stand in whatever we can and making good and positive things happen in Christ’s name! That’s our job as representatives of Christ here on earth!
And before we go further, let me put forward this interesting explanation of verse 5, offered by the scholars. ‘1:5. This verse is not a blanket promise of wisdom for any situation. In the context of life’s trials, it probably speaks of the believer being granted (1) wisdom as to the reason for his trials and (2) wisdom to endure them.’
Ah mih bredrin, with the number of trials and tribulations we currently going through, believers should be knocking down God’s door begging for wisdom, as to why we having so many problems, and the wisdom to endure them! Unfortunately though, too many of us are looking to the world and the rulers of the world for answers to our problems. But who and what yuh think got us in these problematic times in the first place eh? The bloody evil rulers of this world!
It’s obvious that we have forgotten the very serious and wise warning of the psalmist: ‘It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.’ (Ps. 118:8-9) And until we learn that crucial and most critical lesson, and act wisely upon it, we will always be plagued by the deceit and wrongdoing of mankind.
That brings us to these sane and sober words of James, as he later on talks about the problems involved in worldliness and pride. ‘Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh (near) to God, and he will draw nigh (near) to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye doubleminded. Be afflicted (lament), and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness (gloom). Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.’ (James 4:7-10) And that’s basically what we need to do in these very sinful, evil, strife-filled and problematic times: come to God humbly, with sincere repentance and cleansing.
Now here are some wise explanations from the scholars regarding those verses. ‘4:7-10. Therefore: The exhortations that follow logically result from the conditions in verses 1-6 – (our lustful desires and pride). Resist the devil: do not submit to fear, or flee from Satan, but stand against him (1 Pet. 5:8-10). Satan cannot lead into sin against one’s will. Draw nigh: God will not be unmoved; His welcoming response is always near (cf. Deut. 4:7; Lam.3:57; Luke 15:20). Hands and hearts: The cleansing of one’s life must involve both outward deeds and inner thoughts (cf. Ps. 24:3-4).’
Oh my people, there’s not a whole lot more I can say, except to advise us to take a moment and read those scriptures. I just did, and they are wonderful, they opened up my understanding, and will do the same for you. Now let’s go home declaring (yessss!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know who and whose we are.
As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world. Amen!’
So then, let’s go and do just that; share the amazing LOVE and wonderful friendship of Christ with all we meet! That’s our bounden duty! Much LOVE!
…if believers won’t sincerely trust God…then what’s the point in believing in Him eh…
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