"2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:2-4
Another reason why we need to go through the fires of temptations and testing is to develop a Christ like spirit! This is the meaning behind being “entire”; all Christians need to reflect the love and character of their Savior! Discipleship means picking up our cross daily and following after Him; it may seem a huge responsibility to become what the Bible calls a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1-2); but actually, it is our reasonable service.
Being like Christ simply means acting and speaking like Jesus. Some believe they will forever be caught in sin as a Christian for the rest of their lives. But this is not true; we can act and live like Jesus in every area of our life every day of our life!
But how? What if we have put ourselves back into sin and now we are struggling every day? How could we become “entire” meaning we are totally dedicated to the Lord? The solution is to cry out to Him in prayer and repentance! Begin committing yourself to living, breathing, and reading God’s word so it becomes the most essential thing necessary in the Christian life. Be filled with the Holy Spirit of God, not with the things of this world (Ephesians 5:18-19).
Don’t go to Jesus just once; just twice; just five times. Go back to Him daily, hourly if needed. Submit yourself to Him, and He will give you a new heart with new desires. Soon, you will think His thoughts and act out His ways so you too will be wholly sanctified to Him. Then, you will have a strong witness for Him in the world and a lasting peace that will never fade away.
Listen to the entire sermon below:
08.04.13 Temptation - MP3LINK
But how? What if we have put ourselves back into sin and now we are struggling every day? How could we become “entire” meaning we are totally dedicated to the Lord? The solution is to cry out to Him in prayer and repentance! Begin committing yourself to living, breathing, and reading God’s word so it becomes the most essential thing necessary in the Christian life. Be filled with the Holy Spirit of God, not with the things of this world (Ephesians 5:18-19).
Don’t go to Jesus just once; just twice; just five times. Go back to Him daily, hourly if needed. Submit yourself to Him, and He will give you a new heart with new desires. Soon, you will think His thoughts and act out His ways so you too will be wholly sanctified to Him. Then, you will have a strong witness for Him in the world and a lasting peace that will never fade away.
Listen to the entire sermon below:
08.04.13 Temptation - MP3LINK
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