Scriptures Commonly Misinterpreted (2)

‎"...so faith without works is dead also." (James 2:26)

The phrase, "faith without works is dead" has been commonly misinterpreted to mean that every believer must have a particular secular work he is doing as means of livelihood. As much as Bible gives admonition about secular work (Eph.4:28, Acts.20:34-35, IIThes.3:8-10), that however, is not what James chapter 2 is talking about.

The line of thought in James chapter 2 is in respect of Faith and the inevitable concomitant actions(works) produced by faith. 

"If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works is dead."(James 2:15-17)

The same way you cant claim you care for someone and not be ready to cater for their physical needs when its in your power to do it so also you cant claim you have faith if that same faith does not produce corresponding action. You cant claim you have faith in the gospel of Jesus and not take the concomitant step of accepting Jesus as your saviour (James 2:14)

There are actions that are inevitable offshoot of faith; faith and the actions (works) it produces are inseperable siamese. If faith-motivated actions(works) are not evident in a man's life, Apostle James has taught us that such a man has no faith.

Therefore faith without corresponding action is dead (is not alive; does not exist). got it?

Jesus, The Healer (3)

"But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with HEALING in His wings." (Malachi4:2)
If we wonder why some believers still fall sick even though they have been healed once and for all time by redemption; we could as well consider why believers still commit sin having been forgiven and made free from sin through redemption (Rom.6:18 ) or why are a lot of people still perishing in their sin despite the fact that Jesus had already paid the ransom for their salvation (Matt.26:28).
Many reasons could be advanced for such seeming contradiction but the one that seems to encapsulate all is 'knowledge problem'(Hosea 4:6, Matt.13:15)
Believers still fall sick today because they do not have a good understanding of what Christ has done for them and that's why they could not avail themselves of all the benefits of redemption.
The Lord in making provision for healing and health through grace has done His part, it then behoves the one who has been given such grace to take advantage of it by consciously acquiring knowledge about all he has freely received. Having prepared you a meal, He will not force it down your throat; its your personal responsibility to take advantage of what he has done for you.
What should the ailing believer do?
The word of God is the solution to all human problems. Some ailments defy medical care but there is NONE that the word of God cannot heal.
You don't have to wait till sickness strikes before you start studying the word but even when infirmity catches you unprepared the word is still the solution. Read, study and Meditate on it, until the reality of it dawns on you. If you will allow the word of God to rule and reign (Acts19:20) in your heart as would a king over his domain, sickness won't have a place in your body and even if it comes it will bow to the rulership of the word in your heart.
The word of God is both sure and steadfast, give yourself over to it because it works! Blessed?

Jesus, The Healer (2)

"Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:4-5)
I present Jesus, the healer to you today.
There have been different opinions as to the meaning of the words 'griefs' and 'sorrows' in this verse; but if we will compare scriptures With scriptures light will shine on our hearts. According to Matt 8:16-17, the words are interpreted as 'infirmities' and 'sicknesses'
Viz:
" When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses." (Matt.8:16-17).
Isaiah 53:4 reveals then that 'healing is part of Christ's atonement'
The same sacrifice that atoned for our sin and made us forgiven is the same sacrifice by which we were healed once and for all.
Hence, the believer has been healed of the Lord as much as he has been forgiven.
You may want to ask then; "if God has healed the believer, why do some believers still fall sick? And if a beleiver is sick what should he do?"
The foremost thing, before analyzing people's experiences, is to accept what the word of God says about you. If the Word says you have been healed, then you are! You are what the word says you are !
I will answer the questions tomorrow. Blessed?

The Wonderful Name of Jesus (1)

"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." (Matt.1:21)
The name Jesus is the same as Saviour. It is derived from the verb signifying to save. In Hebrew, it is the same as Joshua. In two places in the New Testament it is used where it means Joshua, the leader of the Jews into Canaan (Act7:45; Heb4:8). It was a common name among the Jews.
But beyond the etymology of the name, there's something about the one who bears Jesus the Christ that sets Him above all other "Jesuses" and "Joshuas" - He Created all (Col.1:16) and He is the God all, for even angels worship Him (Heb.16); He's the saviour of all (ITim.1:15); He sustains the world and the inhabitants thereof  by His mighty Power (Col.1:17); and in Him, all the fullness of Godhead dwells (Col.2:9).
Hence, His name is not just an ordinary name; its higher than all names (Phil.2:9-10) ...its more than a name! it's Loaded with power and majesty, glory and honor, awesomeness and greatness.
All the so called great people of yester-years among men are dead are and their graves are with us today, but He is the one who lives, was dead and behold He lives forevermore!
His name is Wonder-Full!