TOPIC: CHRISTIAN INDEED?
MEMORISE:
But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
James 1:25
READ: James 1:21-27
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
MESSAGE
There is a difference between being called a Christian and actually being a Christian. Many people identify as Christians but don't reflect Christ in their lives.
Going to church, working in a church, fasting, and praying can all be mere religious activities if you don't reflect Christ in your daily life. Some people grew up in the church and are used to Christian religious activities but actually live in sin like unbelievers. The way to really know if you have Christ in you is through the changes that have happened in your life since you became born again. If after two years, for example, the Holy Spirit has not influenced a change in some of your character traits, then you have probably just been playing religion.
Some people pray for hours, yet they lie habitually. Some even work miracles, yet they have unforgiveness in their hearts. While activities such as praying, fasting, evangelizing, and so on are important, you must not forget the most important thing – being like Christ. All those activities are a means to an end and not the end in themselves.
Child of God, if you want to truly be like Christ, soak yourself in the word of God by studying your Bible diligently. When you study the Bible, you are fellowshipping with Christ Himself because He is the Word (John 1:1). John 17:17 says that sanctification comes by the word, Ephesians 5:26 says that we are cleansed by the word, and Psalm 119:11 teaches us that when we keep God's word in our hearts, it will keep us from sinning against Him.
True transformation happens when you fellowship with God through His word. James 1:23 likens God's word to a mirror. When people check themselves in a mirror, they don't do it for mere formality but because they want to check their appearance and make changes or adjustments where necessary. When you study God's word, your desire should be for Him to transform your thoughts, attitudes, and character through the power in His word. If you were short- tempered before you started reading the Bible, God's word should take away your angry nature and transform you into a patient and calm fellow. If you were sad and sorrowful, His word should take away that garment of heaviness and replace it with praise and joy (Isaiah 61:3).
Beloved, you must allow God's word to dwell richly in you in all wisdom (Colossians 3:16) so that you will not just be a religious fellow but a Christian indeed.
PRAYER POINT
Father, please help me to keep Your word in my heart and live according to Your will at all times, in Jesus'
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 24-26
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE
HYMN 24: I WANT TO BE LIKE JESUS
1. I want to be like Jesus,
So lowly and so meek;
For no one marked an angry word,
That ever heard Him speak.
2. I want to be like Jesus,
So frequently in prayer;
Alone upon the mountain top,
He met his Father there.
3. I want to be like Jesus,
I never, never find
That He, though persecuted was
To any one unkind.
4. I want to be like Jesus,
Engaged in doing good;
So that of me it may be said
"He hath done what he could."
5. I want to be like Jesus,
Who sweetly said to all,
"Let little children come to Me;"
I would obey the call.
6. But oh I'm not like Jesus,
As any one may see;
O gentle Saviour, send Thy grace,
And make me like to Thee.
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