COUNTING IT ALL JOY (9 OF 14)
Scripture: Genesis 29:1, Genesis 33:20
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Counting It All Joy (9 of 14)
Series: Telos Genesis & The Ultimate Aim of Creation
Patrick Edwards
Genesis 29:1-33:20
Introduction: The apostle James writes, ''Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing,'' (James 1:2-4). Writing in the earliest days of the church, James was concerned about new Jewish converts to Christianity turning the Gospel of Jesus Christ into cheap grace. Cheap grace is simply that mindset where we think of Jesus having done all the work of our salvation and thus nothing is required of us. Cheap grace says that it doesn't matter what I do or how I live, for Jesus has done it all.
And Jesus, indeed, has done it all! Our works do not contribute in any way or any measure to our receiving redemption in Christ. However, while works do not save us they do testify to our salvation. Our lives prove whether or not we have real faith, which brings us back to James' initial words for the people of God, ''Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing,'' (James 1:2-4)
James shows us how we are saved by grace alone through faith alone, but then how the rest of our Christian life ought to be marked by maturing and growing in that grace. In other words, in Christ we are declared to be in the right before our Heavenly Father. But now, we need to start living like it. True faith will lead to a transformed life. James tells us, though, that this growth in grace and faith will not always be easy or gentle. He says that God allows trials in our lives, He tests us; He allows us to be afflicted and to struggle. Why? So that we may deepen and grow in our faith, which will teach ...
Series: Telos Genesis & The Ultimate Aim of Creation
Patrick Edwards
Genesis 29:1-33:20
Introduction: The apostle James writes, ''Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing,'' (James 1:2-4). Writing in the earliest days of the church, James was concerned about new Jewish converts to Christianity turning the Gospel of Jesus Christ into cheap grace. Cheap grace is simply that mindset where we think of Jesus having done all the work of our salvation and thus nothing is required of us. Cheap grace says that it doesn't matter what I do or how I live, for Jesus has done it all.
And Jesus, indeed, has done it all! Our works do not contribute in any way or any measure to our receiving redemption in Christ. However, while works do not save us they do testify to our salvation. Our lives prove whether or not we have real faith, which brings us back to James' initial words for the people of God, ''Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing,'' (James 1:2-4)
James shows us how we are saved by grace alone through faith alone, but then how the rest of our Christian life ought to be marked by maturing and growing in that grace. In other words, in Christ we are declared to be in the right before our Heavenly Father. But now, we need to start living like it. True faith will lead to a transformed life. James tells us, though, that this growth in grace and faith will not always be easy or gentle. He says that God allows trials in our lives, He tests us; He allows us to be afflicted and to struggle. Why? So that we may deepen and grow in our faith, which will teach ...
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