Just Do It!
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Rich Mullins, in “The Creed,” says: “I did not make it, not it is making me. It is the very truth of God and not the invention of any man.”
God’s Word is meant to “dramasticallay” change us, from the inside (Holy Spirit/core/will) out (how we live daily.) James is big on this — living what we claim to believe.
Learn how to Respond to Others
Learn how to Respond to Others
My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
We should be in rapid pursuit of listening to others.
There should be a hesitation in our response.
Get control of the brooding beast below.
This is what James means by being slow to anger. He’s not talking about short outbursts of anger, but instead the deep, swelling anger that finally spills over and takes control of us.
How do we typically “do” life? The opposite of this, right? We’re usually completely closed-minded towards what someone else has to say, particularly if they’ve offended us, stabbed us in the back, treated us wrongly. And I get it that. But, we do it to those who are closest to us as well, those that are well-meaning. You honestly think your mom or dad has it out for you and doesn’t want your best…for most of us, that’s not the case. Then, we blurt out, oftentimes in explosive anger. We don’t weigh our words and take time to really think about and weigh what we’re about to say. We just shout. James tells us, “Hey, you’ve got to learn how to treat others.”
After telling us what we should do, he gives us the reason behind it.
for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.
That “for” right there at the beginning of the verse, it lets us know it’s there FOR a reason — it’s giving us the foundation for what was just said.
An angry person stirs up conflict,
and a hot-tempered one increases rebellion.
When we respond in anger, we stir up conflict and open the door for more sin.
Angry thoughts (which lead to angry words and eventually angry deeds) do not produce purity and peace. Now, we may say, “So what?!” But, it’s a big deal because those things are evidence of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives.
And, you may not realize it now, but there are a lot of people in the world today that want nothing to do with Jesus and His church because at a young age they saw anger lead to hatred and division in the church!
So James tells us essentially be careful how you respond to others. Listen to them — and he means more than just don’t interrupt them when they talk. Actually try and understand their point of view.
Then he says be slow to speak. It’s more than just waiting your turn in an argument, it’s choosing words and statements that are true, yes, but also gentle and reverent — kind both in content and delivery, and remembering that God must be honored by what we say.
Finally, be slow to anger. Don’t let yourself become dominated by your temper. Even if you have a legitimate reason to be angry, what does James say? Human anger doesn’t accomplish righteousness — doing what’s right in relationship with others. As a matter of fact, Paul gives a pretty straightforward command:
Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger,
So, what’s the solution?
Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
First, we must have set aside our previous life. The Bible calls this repentance.
I don’t want to assume anything, so let me clarify both THE GOSPEL and how Scripture says we should RESPOND to the Gospel.
Now, back to repentance, which is really what James is getting at — “ridding” ourselves of moral filth.
Repentance is turning from one direction and heading in another. Essentially, a U-turn!
As we get rid of the junk in our lives, as Jesus brings those things to the surface (remember how trials purify us — like a goldsmith refining gold), we turn from them and turn to Jesus. He says that when we do this, we put ourselves in a position to “receive the implanted word.”
Have you ever watched a football game and the QB drops back to pass, and as he lets it go it lands beautifully…right in the DB’s hands. And you’re thinking, “Good night. This QB is horrible. He threw it right to the other team.” More times that we probably realize, that’s actually on the receiver, not running the right route, and not being in a place where he can make the reception.
When we start getting rid of the junk in our lives, we open up room to let more of the Spirit work, to change us, to make us more like Jesus, to put more truth in our hearts that we can get rid of more junk to open up room to let the Spirit work. See how this works together?
When the opposite is true, it leaves less room for us to receive truth. We might do what the Bible calls “grieve” the Spirit or “quench” the Spirit.
Our lives are like a house, and the Holy Spirit is the greatest house cleaner ever.
Get a handle on how we interact with others.
Get a handle on how we interact with others.
Repent and work on getting the junk out.
Repent and work on getting the junk out.
Receive God’s Word.
Receive God’s Word.