James 1:1
I mentioned in my last post that I got stuck on James 1:1.
Well if you don’t know what it says, here it is….
James 1 (New International Version)
1James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:
Greetings.
Seems like a simple introduction to the book right? Wrong…
Here’s where I got stuck…“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”
Two things in this sentence caught my attention.
1: He differentiates himself as “a servant of God” as to say that those he’s writing to may not be a servant of God, or at least to clearly identify his Master. At first I took offense to this, like who does he think he is? I’m a servant of God too!…right? I mean…aren’t I…wait a minute, am I?? You can see where my thought process got derailed. I had to stop and consider what/who exactly I am a servant of, and Sadly it’s not always God.
2: “of the Lord Jesus Christ”. Let’s look at the word “Lord” for a minute. To Claim someone/something as “Lord” implies that it has Lordship over your life. One of Webster’s definitions of Lordship is, “the territory under the jurisdiction of a lord”. CDB translation, God has say so over every area of our lives. EVERY part of our lives, not just the parts that people see on Sundays or at life group or any other time when we put on our God costumes and parade around like we’re “All That and a bag of God Chips”.
Let’s get real for once, we’re all big boys and girls. We ALL have those super secret areas of our lives that we REFUSE to allow God into so he can purge the gunk out and spray a little God Fabreeze. One of Gods best talents is playing cleanup man, if we just let him. No matter how small and insignificant of a piece you think it is that your holding back…if it’s sin, it’s creating separation between you and God.
I’ve underestimated this simple truth in the past. I’ve heard this truth a lot spoken into my life by two people. One is a friend on the journey and the other I’ll just refer as the brother. You just can’t be whole…I mean really whole like the way God intended you to be until he has complete LORDSHIP over your life.
I am in no way there yet, but I’m starting to identify the areas where I’m holding back. If you’re ready to take that step, don’t do it alone. Engage someone you trust and I’m sure they would be honored to walk with you.
-c
2 Responses to “James 1:1”
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October 28th, 2009 at 5:40 am
Exactly – I mean, in some ways, I was being more a servant to “people” than to God (among other areas – that’s just the one that seems big to me right now). What will they think, will they be upset if I say no (so I don’t say no knowing I should), will I look bad if I don’t do “this” because others feel I should be doing it. It’s not about what others want, it’s between me and God and what He says I should be doing. As long as I do or don’t do that, I’m serving God in the way I should be serving God.
November 2nd, 2009 at 2:20 pm
-c,
Any more on James? There is some good stuff in James 1. My feeble mind blew right past 1:1.
Trials/perseverance and the maturity it creates.
Some pretty harsh statements regarding the doubters … which I think most of doubt at times … i know i do. That is pretty scary!
The fleeting joy (at least perceived joy) of earthly things. I personally struggle with how is all of this bad if kept in context … but the definition of context???
For me … “everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” … is something I have been attempting for a long time … with limited success at times … other times, I do better.
Don’t just listen to the word but do what it says …
I know there is much deeper meaning to the versus i touch above … but all are pretty meaningful and struggle with all in some context.
Wondering what your take is?