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JT at Between Two Worlds references Paul Tripp's Instrument in the Redeemer's Hands, writing that the war for the heart develops according to the following stages:
Stage 1: Desire. "The objects of most of our desires are not evil. The problem is the way they tend to grow, and the control they come to exercise over our hearts. All human desire must be held in submission to a greater purpose, the desires of God for his kingdom." (p. 85)
Stage 2: Demand. ("I must.") "Demand is the closing of my fists over a desire. . . . I am not longer comforted by God's desire for me; I am threaten by it, because God's will potentially stands in the way of my demand. . . . The morphing of my desire changes my relationship to others. No I enter the room loaded with a silent demand: You must help me get what I want. . . ." (p. 86)
Stage 3: Need. ("I will.") " I now view the thing I want as essential to life. This is a devasating step in the eventual slavery of desire. . . . To 'christen' desire as need is equivalent to viewing cake as I do respiration. . . ." (p. 86)
Stage 4: Expectation. ("You should.") "If I am convinced I need something and you have said that you love me, it seems right to expect that you will help me get it. The dynamic of (improper) need-driven expectation is the source of untold conflict in relationship." (p. 87)
Stage 5: Disappointment. ("You didn't!") "There is a direct relationship between expectation and disappointment, and much of our disappointment in relationships i s not because people have actually wronged us, but because they have failed to meet our expectations." (pp. 87-88)
Stage 6: Punishment. ("Because you didn't, I will. . . .")
What to do?? Read on>>>
Let's Get Real!
Studies from the Book of James
Studies from the Book of James
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Lesson 11: Let's Get Real
James 5:7-20
The circumstances in which James’ hearers were living were difficult. There were all types of factions against them: Palestinian Jews, Sadducees, the Romans, etc. He is writing to Christians who have paid a great price to profess faith – they’re called “The Dispersion.”
He exhorts his readers/hearers to be not just hearers, but also doers. A judgment will be coming when all wrongs will be made right, but for now we should wait patiently for that day and place our hope in that which we know by faith to be true. This is our hope deferred.
We wait patiently as when a farmer who patiently waits for his crops to grow. Does the farmer do nothing? Of course not. He has done much in preparation and he must be on guard against the weeds and the intruders. He must prune and maintain the crops and keep watch for birds and insects that seek to destroy and steal his crops. The effective farmer is actively waiting. (Click here for a whole list of Farm Sermons by C.H. Spurgeon)
In discussing this patient waiting, notice how James inserts a thought that seems so incongruous with the rest of the verses about grumbling again¬st one another in Verse 5:9. Let’s not skip past this. Idle minds of those who lack in faith and trust are very prone to grumbling against their brothers and sisters, and especially those in authority over them. This is a great caution to pay attention to.
Salvation attributed to the grace of God has been planted in us. But the law of God just exposes us to be law breakers. Having been justified by faith in Christ, the law now becomes a life-giving toward holiness and Godliness. We do desire to do those good works, because of our faith, but our remaining sin battles against us.
James talks about specific actions that depict our faith such as: taming of tongues, care for widows and orphans, and treating of rich and poor with equal respect. James warns us about sinful passions at war within us, against God’s Holy Spirit and he focuses on how short our lives are and how we must not boast in tomorrow.
James discusses fervently that we should confess our sins to each other in Verse 16. Do we confess our sin openly to one another, to the elders and pastors of our church? Are we even aware of the sinfulness of our sin and how much we still need our Savior every single day? When was the last time we were broken by the indwelling sin that still tries to rule our hearts and battles against God’s Spirit in us?
James goes on to emphasize how we should bring someone back to the faith in verses 19-20 through the ways that he’s mentioned. Let’s exhort each other to be authentic about our faith and our walk. Cast away your fear or man. Let’s get real!
7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. 9Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
10Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
12Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by
heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No,"
no, or you will be condemned.
13Is any one of you in trouble? He should
pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14Is any one of you sick?
He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil
in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick
person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.
16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you
may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
17Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain,
and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18Again he prayed,
and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. 19My brothers, if
one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back,
20remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him
from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
The circumstances in which James’ hearers were living were difficult. There were all types of factions against them: Palestinian Jews, Sadducees, the Romans, etc. He is writing to Christians who have paid a great price to profess faith – they’re called “The Dispersion.”
He exhorts his readers/hearers to be not just hearers, but also doers. A judgment will be coming when all wrongs will be made right, but for now we should wait patiently for that day and place our hope in that which we know by faith to be true. This is our hope deferred.
We wait patiently as when a farmer who patiently waits for his crops to grow. Does the farmer do nothing? Of course not. He has done much in preparation and he must be on guard against the weeds and the intruders. He must prune and maintain the crops and keep watch for birds and insects that seek to destroy and steal his crops. The effective farmer is actively waiting. (Click here for a whole list of Farm Sermons by C.H. Spurgeon)
In discussing this patient waiting, notice how James inserts a thought that seems so incongruous with the rest of the verses about grumbling again¬st one another in Verse 5:9. Let’s not skip past this. Idle minds of those who lack in faith and trust are very prone to grumbling against their brothers and sisters, and especially those in authority over them. This is a great caution to pay attention to.
Salvation attributed to the grace of God has been planted in us. But the law of God just exposes us to be law breakers. Having been justified by faith in Christ, the law now becomes a life-giving toward holiness and Godliness. We do desire to do those good works, because of our faith, but our remaining sin battles against us.
James talks about specific actions that depict our faith such as: taming of tongues, care for widows and orphans, and treating of rich and poor with equal respect. James warns us about sinful passions at war within us, against God’s Holy Spirit and he focuses on how short our lives are and how we must not boast in tomorrow.
James discusses fervently that we should confess our sins to each other in Verse 16. Do we confess our sin openly to one another, to the elders and pastors of our church? Are we even aware of the sinfulness of our sin and how much we still need our Savior every single day? When was the last time we were broken by the indwelling sin that still tries to rule our hearts and battles against God’s Spirit in us?
James goes on to emphasize how we should bring someone back to the faith in verses 19-20 through the ways that he’s mentioned. Let’s exhort each other to be authentic about our faith and our walk. Cast away your fear or man. Let’s get real!
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