In Chapter 3 James goes back to Christians controlling our tongues. This must be an important topic to him because he hits it a second time. In vs 2 he says the tongue is actually the hardest thing we have to control. Our speech is a small, but very powerful part of who we are.
James compares our tongues to matches. He says words can start horrible tragedies. It seems we can control many things but we can’t control our tongues. That takes the power of the Holy Spirit. I can testify to that because I try to be God-honoring in all that I say but I’ve slipped up many times. (I remember in 1999-the first NFL games under instant replay-Commissioner Tagliabue had to fine me $10,000 for criticizing the referee for getting a call wrong even with replay😪)
James finishes by saying that as Christians we shouldn’t be spouting any mean, vile, or unholy talk. That’s not an easy thing for us to absorb and follow, but it’s true. We have to let God control our tongues—and our attitudes.
Merry Christmas everyone. But more than that I hope you have a Blessed Christmas. And if you want to know what that means there’s probably not a better source than Linus. He explained it to Charlie Brown almost 60 years ago in a Christmas Special that has become an American favorite.
In 1965 it was extremely daring to have Linus recite from the Bible on prime time television. It probably wouldn’t even happen today and the network executives did not want it as part of the show then. But Charles Schultz, the creator of Peanuts, was a strong Christian man and he wouldn’t back down.
Schultz’s conviction resulted not only in Charlie Brown learning the true meaning of Christmas but in Luke Chapter 2 being heard by millions of people every year at Christmas time.
When I played for legendary Steelers Coach Chuck Noll he always told us football was our job but it couldn’t be our life’s work. Here in Romans 15 Paul has talked of helping other people, encouraging them and building them up. He did a great job of that but in vs 15 he begins to describe his real purpose in life. He says he wanted to remind them of the things they knew about God & His Grace. He wanted to confirm that God is our source of hope who will bring us true joy and peace.
But then he tells us what has really been the driving force in his life. In Vs 20 he says he’s always wanted to tell people who had never heard about Jesus the Good News of Salvation. He wanted God to use him any way possible to help people find Christ and the way to heaven.
This is an awesome testimony and something we as Christians should emulate. If we really believe we are blessed and we have the key to eternal life we should want to share that Good News with everyone.
In the first section of Romans 10 Paul told us how to come back into fellowship with God & be saved-by confessing our belief in Jesus. Now in vs 11-17 he tells us 2 more important things. First this promise is for everyone. Nationality, social status, past history doesn’t matter.
Secondly, people need help understanding this and God uses those who have gotten the message to help others who need to get it. Vs 14 says we can’t be saved without believing in Jesus. And people won’t believe in Jesus if they’ve never heard the truth about Him. So when we do come to that saving knowledge of Jesus and our lives change for the better because of that relationship, we need to tell people. That’s how other people will find out.
But the question is how do we tell people? You’ve got good news and you want to share it. But you don’t want to come across as judgmental or a religious nut. However, if Jesus has changed your life for the better you surely want to share that with people you care about.
I think the best thing you can do is just be honest and tell your personal story. This is how I found Jesus, this is why I needed Him, and this is what the impact has been in my life. And then let people see if what you’re saying is reflected in how you’re living. We have to keep in mind that our goal is to HELP people by sharing the good news that we have received.
Romans Chapter 10 is one of the most awesome chapters in the Bible. Paul has documented how people have tried to re-establish connection with God by keeping the law but it hasn’t worked. In vs 4 he says Jesus fulfilled everything the law was supposed to do and believing in Him is the way we will be saved.
He also says that salvation is for everyone. Verse 9 gives the most clear, concise description you will find for the way to get to heaven and it all rests on faith.
If you openly declare that Jesus is in fact The Lord AND you believe He died as a sacrifice for our sins and was raised back to life YOU WILL BE SAVED.
Very simple. But notice it’s a two part process. Verse 10 says that first you must believe. That’s where the faith comes in. You have to truly believe this in your heart. Then you have to be willing to say it—to openly declare your faith in Jesus.
If you do that you are now justified in God’s eyes and heaven is your reward.
This is super-inclusive in that it’s available to everyone. But it’s restrictive because Paul will go on to tell us there is no other way to get to heaven.
I went a little longer than normal because this passage is so exciting to me. But all you have to know is those 24 words in verse 9–that’s the gospel in a nutshell🙏🏽
We started our Super Bowl morning with a prayer walk thru the strip. We finished by attending the service at Remnant Ministries & heard an outstanding message. The pastor talked about how to not let our lives become unsettled by keeping our eyes on Christ. A beautiful morning!🙏🏽
Robbie Knievel, a daredevil performer like his father, Evel Knievel, died on Friday. He was 60.
Known as Kaptain Robbie Knievel, he jumped the Grand Canyon, a steam train and the fountains at Caesar’s Palace. https://t.co/Vw7kikksD6
As I walked this morning I thanked God for how He has watched over Damar Hamlin. I couldn’t help but think of Romans 8:28 and God working through a tragedy to help unify us. Over the last week I think we have realized that life is too important to let differences separate us🙏🏽