Rising from the Dead

“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” –James 2:26

We understand that our righteousness is based on the blood of Jesus, and yet God gave us specifics on how to live out His righteousness for the purpose of being separate from the world, for our sanctification, for our preparation as His bride, and also for His glory as we represent Him in this life so that men will be drawn to Him.

So, let’s take a look at the one whom God at one time called the most righteous man living on the earth:  Job.

Job’s declared his righteous living as follows:  “Whoever heard me spoke well of me, because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist him. I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame.  I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger… from my youth I reared him as would a father, and from my birth I guided the widow."

Over the last 35 years, with nearly 30 of these years lived as a true born-again evangelical Bible-believing Christian, as much as it depended on me, I never missed an opportunity to sing to the Lord, attend a Bible study conference, or go to a prayer meeting.

And yet,

I have failed more often in giving my own money to the needy than I have actually given;

I have toured more orphanages than orphan children I have embraced;

I have ignored more widows than those I have brought joy;

I have eaten my food by myself more than I have shared my provision;

I have worshipped with my hands in the air and eyes closed, more than I have worshipped with my hands outstretched and eyes open to the needs of the poor;

I have celebrated more holidays with wealthy relatives than I have with those in need in the family of God;

I have spent more time writing papers and talking about religion than I have practicing pure and undefiled religion which God accepts!

Once we admit that we have not loved as the Father loves (and is there even one of us who does not need to make that confession?) and repent, then He will renew us again by His Spirit. He will make our blind eyes to see God and others clearly. He will make our deaf ears to hear their cries and also what God is asking us to do. He will make our crippled legs to walk into the lands of the poor and make our foolish minds to understand what we are to do while we are there. And when we return we will not be mute, but by the touch of Jesus Christ our mouths will know to how to speak up for the voiceless.

Comments

[Sweet Joni]

Thurs 19th, HAPPY 38th Birthday Kerry =)
Keep smiling & praising God, it looks wonderful on you! Hoping YOUR day is a special one & you're blessed beyond measure!!! Thanks for all you do!
Love In Christ,
~Joni

[Cindi M.]

Good post, Kerry, as usual.

And Happy Birthday. I know your parents must be mighty pleased with the way you have chosen to live your life. And even though we all rightly feel that we fall short when it comes to furthering the Kingdom, I think God looks on you with favor. And He smiles.

Love from NC.

[anna]

Hi Kerry- Greetings from Honduras. I have been enjoying your blog lately- thanks. This post made me think about Advent Conspiracy, a movement to simplify at Christmas in order live in a more worshipful way. check it out- the videos from this year and last year are awesome http://www.adventconspiracy.org/

Anna

[Julie in Ca]

Happy birthday Kerry!

I feel so many of the same convictions. I focus more on my own small sufferings than those of others that are far greater.

[Jennifer Peterson]

Happy Birthday Kerry!