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And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness…It can set your whole life on fire… (James 3:6)   The boys huddled over the pile of dead ants while Jack pulled out a lighter. “Watch this,” he whispered. Ben shifted nervously and cast anxious glances toward his house. “Are…
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We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect…  (James 3:2)   “Me and my big fat mouth.” You did it again. You blabbed a secret, bragged too much, or stuck your foot it in. You’d give anything to take it back, but it’s too late.…
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…not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. (James 3:1)   “I don’t know why they won’t let me lead,” complained Monica. “I told them I’d make my boyfriend move out.” Bret clapped her on the back. “Who knows? You’d be great. I’m celebrating…
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…was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she sent the messengers…by another way? (James 2:25)   It would cost her everything to do what these men asked. But it would cost her everything if she didn’t. Israel was about to destroy her city, but Rahab and her family would be spared if…
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Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? (James 2:21)   It’s easy to say, “Sure, Lord. I’ll do whatever you ask” when we’re lying on the beach sipping lemonade. We might imagine standing before a firing squad, our captors demanding that we deny Christ…
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Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?  (James 2:20) Did James say that faith is useless? It almost sounds as though we’re saved by grace but we stay saved by our good deeds. Is that how it works? Take a peek at Friends Church. They are proud of their gold and glass…
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You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. (James 2:19)   “I believe in God,” says the majority of the world’s population. “I pray a lot,” says our humanist neighbor. “I believe God is in everything,” says our pantheist co-worker. “MY God would never cast anyone into hell.…
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What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? (James 2:14) “Oh, I’m a Christian. I’ve just never acted like it,” Wes stated confidently. Vera nodded in agreement. “Yeah, me too. We’re saved by grace, right? So it doesn’t matter what we do.…
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For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 2:13)   “I will NOT forgive her!” “They don’t deserve forgiveness after what they did!” “I hope the judge buries that jerk under the courthouse!” Statements like those feel justified when we’ve been wronged. The unthinkable happened and…
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Isn’t it the rich who…slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear? (James 2:6-7)   Heroes. From our earliest years, we are force-fed heroes. From cartoons to professional sports, our culture insists that we throw money at our heroes like they were wise investments. Mr. Rogers and Barney the Dinosaur were traded for athletes and rock…
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