by George Runyan | Dec 1, 2016 | Devotional, George Runyan
James 2:14 – What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?
Some have thought James preached a different Gospel than that of Paul. Paul laid the foundation of believing faith throughout his letters. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourself, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). How do we reconcile what James says with Paul’s teaching?
There is a difference between saying you have faith and actually demonstrating that faith. I knew a man some years ago that evidenced a knowledge of Scripture. He told me he believed the Bible, but his life did not demonstrate a “believing faith.” Saying “I have faith” is one thing, but living that faith is totally another. The evidence of faith should be expected from one who says “I have faith.” As we grow in faith a greater demonstration of our faith will be evidenced.
Paul taught, “God saved us, not on the basis of works which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy” (Titus 3:5). Redemption came through Jesus Christ and His sacrificial work. We had nothing whatsoever to do with that work. He went to the cross for you and me while we were dead in our trespasses and sins. All that is required of us is to receive what Christ has accomplished. What James is addressing in his letter is the attitude that all I need to do is to say “I have faith.” Saying it and believing it are two totally different spheres. Believing what Christ has done will produce a demonstration of faith. Do others know your faith by what you say or by what you do?
It is the Holy Spirit who gives us the ability to believe. He grants the gift of repentance. He reveals to us the need for the work of Christ to be applied to our lives. He regenerates us, causing the life of Christ to be lived out through us. Through believing faith, we can be filled with the Holy Spirit daily and live out Christ’s life, demonstrating faith by our works. Trust Christ totally for your salvation through the work of His cross. Don’t talk about your faith; demonstrate your faith by allowing the Holy Spirit to work through you in serving others.
In this season of the year, there will be many works of good deeds toward others. It is the “Spirit of Christmas” to give! All that giving is not related to personal salvation. On the other hand, the true believer should be in the forefront of giving. There are many opportunities to allow your faith to operate in the Christmas season. Some examples are to help feed the homeless, taking gifts to the children of prisoners through Angel Tree Ministry, and sharing thoughtful gifts with your neighbors. Perhaps you will also be able to speak of your faith and help another receive the greatest gift in their life, Christ the Lord.
Father, I thank You for sending Your Son to die in my place. My faith is centered in all You have done in Christ. I ask for the Holy Spirit to fill me with Your life. Cause me to demonstrate saving faith by works pleasing to You.
by George Runyan | Nov 30, 2016 | Devotional, George Runyan
1Timothy 1:15-16 – It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.
The Kingdom of God is all about love, acceptance, and forgiveness. In the kingdom of God, we first love, and then move into acquaintance. This is different than the world’s perspective where we get acquainted then we move toward love. Usually people have many acquaintances; they have some friends, but are in need of real love and acceptance.
The love of God is not based on what I do or what I feel. His love is rooted in the Lord Jesus Christ who died freely before anyone sought Him out. God’s love is commitment and is independent of feelings or knowledge of what another has or has not done. By God’s grace, we should be able to love and accept people before we really know them. Once we come to know a person, God wants to supply the necessary grace to love and accept them in spite of what we have come to learn about them. This is not by human effort, but through the grace that God supplies.
Consider how the Lord Jesus spent His time. He hung out with the outcasts of His society. He ate with sinners who had robbed their own people to become rich. He ministered to prostitutes and tax collectors. He was known as a friend of sinners.
Today, the church is filled with broken people, people who need to be loved and accepted. Some of these believers have come from heavily damaged pasts. Some have had a life of trauma beginning in their childhood. Others have had marriages that produced severe wounds and have left many scars. Others brought injuries upon themselves through addictions and poor choices relating to sexual involvements. Each person is precious in the Lord’s sight. The blood of Jesus is more than sufficient to cleanse and heal broken lives. The other healing factor is people, who themselves have experienced God’s grace in their life, reaching out in the spirit of love, acceptance, and forgiveness to those in need.
The Christmas season is the ideal time to express love. It is that special time of the year to demonstrate real acceptance. Examine your heart and see if there is anyone you have failed to forgive from your heart this past year. If so, choose to forgive that one now. If appropriate, let them know how you have chosen to forgive and accept them in your heart as one you love and care about. Ask them how you can pray for them in the New Year.
Father, I ask You to help me to be a person that lives in Your power to love, accept, and forgive with my whole heart. Fill me with the Holy Spirit to demonstrate Your power by extending my life to serve another who is in need.
by George Runyan | Nov 29, 2016 | Devotional, George Runyan
James 2:1 – My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism.
Favoritism was a problem in the early church, especially as it related to social class. It is a basic human problem that has followed man down through the centuries. As a pastor, one of the complaints I would hear from individuals is that people in the congregation are “cliquish.” As believers, we must guard ourselves from isolating others. We are called to be a family built together in community. Jesus told His disciples, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).
It is not wrong to have some people you count as favorite friends. There is a difference between “favorite” and “favoritism.” Favorite could relate to an individual’s personality, their upbeat attitude, and general likability. Favoritism addresses paying more attention to one person over another where there should be equality. Paul experienced this with Peter as recorded in Galatians 2. Peter knew that the Lord had accepted the Gentiles as equal to the Jews. Peter was having fellowship with a number of Gentiles until a group of Jewish believers arrived from Jerusalem. Peter separated himself from the Gentiles to gain favor with the Jewish brothers. Paul, observing this, rebuked Peter openly for his hypocrisy.
Part of our development as followers of Christ is to learn how to accept others in spite of personality oddities or even distasteful language. Love, acceptance, and forgiveness are goals for each believer. The Lord wants to equip His church to be truly Christian in a non-Christian world. Many attitudes held by church-going people are counter to the attitude of Christ who “so loved the world that He laid down His life for the most offensive among us.
In this Christmas season, let us not only remember the babe in a manger, but the risen Christ who desires all men be saved. “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Make sure, when you are out in the world shopping or just enjoying the season, that your life gives witness of the risen Christ.
Father, I pray to be filled with the love of Christ during this Christmas season. Especially help me in regard to those who are not filled with Your love. Help me grow toward others in a way that is pleasing to You. I pray for the Holy Spirit to remove all manner of favoritism from my life. Help me be respectful toward all, even those who do not respect me.
by George Runyan | Nov 28, 2016 | Devotional, George Runyan
James 1:19 – You know this, my beloved brethren. Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.
What a great word from James, the brother of Jesus! Every believer should know this principle of truth, but at the same time we all need to be reminded. The principle of quick hearing and slow speaking is especially needed this season of the year. Most will spend time with close friends and family members as we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Whenever we spend close time with others, sharing responsibilities and conversation, there is opportunity for misunderstandings to occur.
The saying, “think before you speak” is especially helpful in preserving peace. Listening carefully to another not only provides one with information about their reasoning or opinion, but an opportunity to keep one’s emotions under control. It is important to respond to differing views with respect and as few words as possible. Well thought out responses can provide for interesting and stimulating conversation. I have determined not to be pulled into emotionally driven political talk. If the discussion is not supported by an educated view, I am not interested in plunging into heated emotional opinions.
When I first began secular work, I realized I would see my follow workers daily. I did not need to reveal everything I thought at one setting. I prayed daily for the Holy Spirit to guide me in my conversation with my fellow employees. I can testify that God was faithful. Over the years, I had opportunity to lead some to Christ. Others were interested in what I had to offer and would seek me out in conversation; there are always those who reject your views no matter how you approach the conversation.
As believers, we need to give a listening ear for the voice of the Holy Spirit. He knows both how to nudge us forward and to hold us back from quick responses that could lead to anger. It takes discipline to stop and pay attention to His impressions. I have found more times than not, the Holy Spirit will have us listen a great deal more than having us speak. Early in my ministry life as I began to relate with pastors from many different streams and traditions, I practiced being the last one to speak. I wanted to hear what the others had to say and listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit to instruct me in what I should bring to the conversation. It was a difficult challenge, but it proved to be helpful.
As we celebrate the Prince of Peace and His birth, let us take the lead in peaceful conversation and helpful participation in activities of the day. As James instructs, “Be slow to speak and slow to anger,” celebrating, not only Christ, but others and their life in relationship with you. You are Christ’s servant and a representative of His kingdom.
Father, I thank You for this season of the year. I ask for this to be the most peaceful and enjoyable Christmas my family has ever known. I pray for the Holy Spirit to be my constant guide and helper as I relate with others in this season. I pray for Your presence in all my holiday activities, all for Your glory.
by George Runyan | Nov 17, 2016 | Devotional, George Runyan
Hebrews 10:26 – If we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.
The writer of Hebrews gives this severe warning based upon what he had previously written concerning the “one-time offering of the sacrifice of Christ.” Remember, these Jewish believers considered returning back to their Judaism because of the severity of the persecution they were experiencing. The writer of Hebrews established the truth of the “one-time sacrifice of Christ” as the finished work of God. There remains no more sacrifice, only a fearful looking ahead to judgment.
The threefold purpose of the will of God can be seen in a summary of the New Testament:
Christ’s sacrifice and the power of His resurrection
The coming of the Holy Spirit to bring forth God’s new creation in the earth through believers in Christ’s eternal work. The result being Christ revealed in each believer as a witness to the world of the truth of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God
The return of Christ when He judges both the “quick and the dead.” In other words, the living and those who had died.
There is no more sacrifice to be offered, only what Christ has already done. The only thing remaining is Judgment Day.
Hebrews 10:26-31 are difficult scriptures for some to understand, especially if they are not read in the context of the writer’s letter. “If we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins” (Hebrews 10:26a). The emphasis is on “willfully.” The Apostle John in his first letter says, “continues to practice sin” (1 John 3:9). Receiving the knowledge of the truth does not mean born again. It implies that one has heard the truth and understands its implication: Christ is the end of sacrifices. “There no longer remains a sacrifice for sins (no more sacrifices will be offered), but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries” (Hebrews 10:26b–27). The issue, is going back to the Law as a means of salvation. In the Law, there were continual sacrifices offered for sins. Christ became the end of the Law for dealing with sin. This is why the writer says that there is no more sacrifice. The one and only acceptable sacrifice is Christ’s death.
For these Jewish believers, going back under the Law would be trampling underfoot the Son of God. It would be regarding the blood of the sacrifice as unclean and would be an insult to the Spirit of grace. If the sacrifice of Christ is rejected then the only expectation is judgment. The Lord will judge His people. The writer uses the Law as his example. “Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses” (Hebrews 10:28). He then says, “How much more severe punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and regarded unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified and has insulted the Spirit of grace” (Hebrews 10:29)?
The writer is making this point: don’t go back, because only judgment will lie ahead. He then reminds these Jewish believers of the entrance into the kingdom of God beginning in verses 32-34. “Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward” (Hebrews 10:35). Tomorrow we will devote ourselves to this great exhortation.
Father, I thank You for the blood sacrificed in Christ’s death. I plant my confidence firmly in His blood. My sins have been cleansed, and I am sanctified through Your covenant in Christ.
by George Runyan | Nov 16, 2016 | Devotional, George Runyan
Hebrews 3:1 – Holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession.
The book of Hebrews has been called the “Royal Book.” It addresses the royalty of Christ. He is the One every true believer confesses as King of kings and Lord of lords. He is our High Priest. “He ever lives to make intercession for us,” We can draw near with confidence to the throne because our redeemer has passed into the heavens. He is able to understand the weakness we have because of sin. He was tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.
The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish believers who had been experiencing severe persecution. The intended readers were thinking of abandoning their faith and of lapsing back to Judaism. The author exhorts them to hold fast to their confession of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Hebrews 10 is a powerful portion of Scripture that establishes what Christ has fully done for each believer. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:23-24).
In the past, these believers followed the Law of Moses which instructed God’s Covenant people to bring continual sacrifices for sin. The author wants these Jewish believers to understand the Law was only a shadow of the good things to come. Further, the sacrifices they once offered year by year could not make them perfect. If the Law could have produced perfection, the worshipers would no longer be conscious of sin. Instead the law was a constant reminder of their need to receive God’s forgiveness. In Hebrews 10, he writes of the impossibility of the blood of animals to take away sin. Those sacrifices atoned or covered up sin so God could have mercy upon His people. The Father looked ahead to the better sacrifice which He would offer on behalf of lost humanity. Only one sacrifice was needed now, the sacrifice of Christ. The one sacrifice of Christ is sufficient.
A new and living way has been established. Through the blood of Christ, we have confidence to enter into the holy place. “A new and living way was inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh” (Hebrews 10:20). Because we have a great high priest over the house of God we can draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith because our hearts have been washed in His blood. Our confidence is in these facts. The writer says, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). From this position, we are to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.
The writer encourages these Jewish believers in what God accomplished through the faithfulness in Christ when he exhorts, “Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25). Tomorrow, we will consider why it is important to encourage one another as the Day of Judgment draws near.
Father, I thank You for Your ultimate sacrifice on my behalf, Your own Son. Thank You that my conscience has been cleansed through the blood of Christ so I can have confidence to enter into Your presence. I commit myself to hold fast to my confession, drawing near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith.
