My Painting Jeans
"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. (Now the Key) Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
- James 1:19-27
There is a whole lot that is packed into this passage, but let me reiterate verses 23-24 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
These are my painting jeans I mentioned in my life lesson yesterday. They definitely show the wear and tear of the abuse I give them with paint. The jeans are the visible proof of what I have accomplished.
As believers, when we deal with the difficulties of life in our world, James is telling us we need to have our “jeans” on because we need durable and practical faith instead of merely “Sunday clothes” that look really nice but are fragile and vulnerable when put to the test. Our jeans are the visible proof that our faith has been tested and found real. That as the church we need to be prepared to get dirty. So, live out your faith in very practical and real ways this week as you walk through this world...
If you haven't heard the whole message from Sunday, you can watch it by clicking here.
~ Pastor Gerry Michalski | Lead Pastor