Adorning The Realities Of SalvationThe epistle of James contains much practical teaching on what true salvation looks like and gives instructions on how we can walk in the realities of true saving faith. In this lesson, Pastor: Landis shares from the Word and his heart some very helpful teaching on the importance of “Adorning” as a mantle the teachings of Jesus to accelerate our progress in spiritual growth. Listen and enjoy!
Old Testament Scripture Reading: Psalms 3:1 – 8 (NASB)
Psa 3:1 (A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.) O LORD, how my adversaries have increased! Many are rising up against me. Psa 3:2 Many are saying of my soul, “There is no deliverance for him in God.” Selah. Psa 3:3 But Thou, O LORD, art a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. Psa 3:4 I was crying to the LORD with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah. Psa 3:5 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustains me. Psa 3:6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me round about. Psa 3:7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God! For Thou hast smitten all my enemies on the cheek; Thou hast shattered the teeth of the wicked. Psa 3:8 Salvation belongs to the LORD; Thy blessing be upon Thy people! Selah.
New Testament Scripture Reading: James 3:13 – 4:12 (NASB)
James 3:13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. James 3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. James 3:15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. James 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. James 3:18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 4:1 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? James 4:2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. James 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. James 4:4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
James 4:5 Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”?
James 4:6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” James 4:7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:9 Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy to gloom. James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. James 4:11 Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother, or judges his brother, speaks against the law, and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge of it. James 4:12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?
Transforming Power Statements: #1) We who are saved, must continuously be engaged in not only learning the truth, but also how to “adorn” the truth day by day.
#2) We who are saved must be taught and trained to respond in a biblical manner to every action in life praying against the world’s way, the flesh and the devil in order that we might “adorn” the doctrine of our Savior.
#3) We who are saved must set our affections on yielding to God’s plans and set them high above our own if we intend to be exalted by God when His work has been manifested in us.
