Living Out Faith: Obedience and Transformation in Christ

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we delve into the profound truths of God's Word, exploring the essence of the law of God and the practical implications of our faith. The law of God requires personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience. We are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and love our neighbor as ourselves. The law serves as a schoolmaster, leading us to the grace of God, for we are incapable of keeping the law by ourselves. This truth is encapsulated in Matthew 22:37-40, where Jesus summarizes the entirety of the law and the prophets with the commandments to love God and our neighbor.

We are reminded that the epistle of James, one of the earliest New Testament writings, challenges the walk of the believer and encourages action. It is prescriptive, calling us to action with an average of one imperative every other verse. James seeks to develop believers through tests and trials, promoting greater dependence on God, while the enemy aims to destroy through temptations, advocating independence from God.

The passage from James chapter one verses 18 through 27 instructs us on faith. We are begotten by the will of God through the word of truth, to be a kind of first fruits of His creatures. We are urged to be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath, and to lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness. We must receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save our souls. Being doers of the word and not hearers only is crucial, as mere listeners are like those who forget their own reflection upon walking away from a mirror. True religion is to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

The practical holiness we practice is a reflection of our faith. If our faith does not affect our speech and conduct, it is a faulty faith. We must continually grow in grace and knowledge of our Savior, and our lives should manifest the transformative power of the gospel.

Key Takeaways:

- God orchestrates our encounters and experiences to shape us into the image of Christ. Through trials and tests, He draws us closer, while temptations seek to pull us away. Our response to these moments defines our spiritual trajectory and our reliance on God's sovereignty. [43:08]

- The Word of God is not merely a text to be heard but a command to be obeyed. As believers, we must not only listen to the Word but also act upon it. Our faith is authenticated by our actions, and our spiritual maturity is evidenced by our obedience to God's instructions. [01:19:40]

- The new birth is a transformative process initiated by God's will and sustained by His Word. As believers, we are to embody the first fruits of His creation, living out the redemption we have received and showcasing the hope of the gospel to the world. [49:50]

- Practical holiness is not optional for the believer; it is a necessary outworking of genuine faith. Our daily conduct, speech, and interactions should consistently reflect the character of Christ, demonstrating the reality of our faith to those around us. [01:21:48]

- Spiritual growth is not a passive process but an active pursuit. We must engage with the Word of God with humility, allowing it to challenge and change us. Our growth in grace is a testament to the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit within us, shaping us to be more like Jesus. [01:23:19]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 22:37-40: "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
2. James 1:18-27: "Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

#### Observation Questions
1. What are the two greatest commandments according to Jesus in Matthew 22:37-40?
2. In James 1:19, what three behaviors are believers instructed to practice?
3. According to James 1:22, what is the difference between a hearer and a doer of the word? [39:03]
4. What does James describe as "pure religion" in James 1:27?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus say that all the law and the prophets hang on the commandments to love God and love our neighbor? How does this summarize the essence of the law? [16:46]
2. How does James 1:18-27 describe the process and purpose of the new birth? What does it mean to be "a kind of firstfruits of His creatures"? [38:36]
3. What practical steps does James suggest for believers to grow in their faith and avoid being mere hearers of the word? [39:03]
4. How does James 1:26-27 define true religion, and why is it important for believers to practice this kind of faith? [39:51]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily life: Are there specific areas where you struggle to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? How can you address these struggles this week? [16:31]
2. Think about your interactions with others: How can you better love your neighbor as yourself in practical ways? Identify one specific action you can take this week. [16:46]
3. James emphasizes being "swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." Can you recall a recent situation where you failed to practice these behaviors? How can you handle a similar situation differently in the future? [38:45]
4. The sermon mentioned that practical holiness is a reflection of genuine faith. What specific changes can you make in your speech and conduct to better reflect the character of Christ? [39:51]
5. James talks about laying apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness. Are there habits or behaviors in your life that you need to put aside to grow in your faith? What steps will you take to address them? [38:57]
6. How can you actively practice "pure religion" by visiting the fatherless and widows in their affliction? Identify a local organization or individual you can support this month. [39:53]
7. Spiritual growth is an active pursuit. What specific plan do you have for engaging with the Word of God daily? How will you ensure that you are not just a hearer but also a doer of the Word? [39:03]

Devotional

Day 1: Encountering God in Trials and Temptations
In the journey of faith, believers are often met with trials and temptations, each serving a distinct purpose in spiritual development. Trials, orchestrated by God, are designed to test faith, build perseverance, and draw individuals closer to Him, shaping them into the image of Christ. On the other hand, temptations, which are not from God, seek to entice and pull believers away from reliance on divine strength. The response to these moments is critical; it can either affirm trust in God's sovereignty or reveal areas of weakness that require His grace and guidance. The distinction between trials and temptations is vital for understanding the path to spiritual maturity and the necessity of leaning on God's wisdom and provision.

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3 ESV)

Reflection: How can you differentiate between trials that God uses to shape you and temptations that lead to sin, and what is your strategy for responding to each? [43:08]

Day 2: Obedience Beyond Hearing
The Word of God is not merely a collection of stories or moral guidelines; it is a living command that demands action. Believers are called to be doers of the Word, embodying its teachings through their actions. This active obedience is the hallmark of genuine faith, distinguishing it from a passive acknowledgment that fails to impact behavior. Spiritual maturity is not measured by the knowledge of scripture alone but by the application of biblical principles in daily life. The transformation from a hearer to a doer of the Word is a testament to the work of the Holy Spirit, prompting believers to live out their faith authentically and courageously.

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22 ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific way you can move from merely hearing the Word to actively applying it in your life today? [01:19:40]

Day 3: The Transformative Power of New Birth
The new birth is a divine transformation that occurs when an individual is begotten by the will of God through the word of truth. This spiritual rebirth marks the beginning of a life that reflects the first fruits of God's creation, showcasing the redemptive power of the gospel. As new creations, believers are called to live out their faith in a manner that is distinct from the world, embodying the hope and renewal found in Christ. The new birth is not a one-time event but a continuous process of growth and sanctification, sustained by the nourishing power of God's Word and the guiding presence of the Holy Spirit.

"Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." (James 1:18 ESV)

Reflection: In what ways does your life currently reflect the transformative power of being a new creation in Christ? [49:50]

Day 4: The Necessity of Practical Holiness
Genuine faith is not a private or abstract concept; it manifests in practical holiness that is observable in daily conduct. The believer's life should consistently reflect the character of Christ, influencing speech, behavior, and interactions with others. This practical holiness is an essential outworking of faith, serving as a visible demonstration of the gospel's transformative power. It is not optional but a requisite for those who profess to follow Jesus. The pursuit of holiness is a journey marked by continual growth and a commitment to aligning one's life with the principles of God's Word.

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." (James 1:27 ESV)

Reflection: How does your daily life—your speech, actions, and choices—reflect the holiness that is expected of a follower of Christ? [01:21:48]

Day 5: Engaging with the Word for Spiritual Growth
Spiritual growth is an active pursuit that involves engaging with the Word of God with humility and a willingness to be transformed. It is not a passive process where change occurs without effort or intentionality. Believers are called to immerse themselves in scripture, allowing it to challenge preconceptions, inspire change, and guide decisions. This engagement with the Word leads to a deeper understanding of God's nature and His will for our lives. The evidence of spiritual growth is seen in a believer's increasing likeness to Christ, a transformation that is both internal and external, affecting thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors.

"Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation." (1 Peter 2:2 ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your spiritual life where you need to grow, and how can you actively engage with the Word of God to foster that growth? [01:23:19]

Quotes

- "If what you know to be true from the word of God does not affect your character, your speech and your walk, it's a faulty faith." [01:22:31](Download | Download Cropped Video)

- "This practical holiness ought to be something that we are practicing... we all ought to be seeking to attain unto it, and it ought to be a continual growth." [01:23:19](Download | )

- "The word of God is imperative in the life of the believer. From the new birth until the last breath. If you are not deep in the word of God, you're adrift." [55:51](Download | Download Cropped Video)

- "Every born again believer is born again by the will of God. According to his will. Secondly, it's in association with the word." [53:13](Download | )

- "The believer ought to have that impact on everyone around them. I don't know what happened to him today, but whatever it was, I want some of it." [01:03:48](Download | Download Cropped Video)

- "The instructions in the scriptures are preceded by this word 'Know this.' These instructions are practical instructions of the new birth." [01:05:23](Download | )

- "Certainly there are many aspects of purpose in the new birth. But one of them, and certainly an integral purpose, is this idea of a first fruit." [58:31](Download | )

- "The first fruits of a harvest was the first sheath of ripened grain. The Christians to whom James was writing are the first believers in this current dispensation." [59:41](Download | )

- "The word of God is not meant to be a proof text. It is meant to be a salve to a wounded spirit, a tutor to the disciple. It is meant to give direction rather than affirmation." [01:18:07](Download | Download Cropped Video)

- "You as a born again believer cannot live a duplicitous life and expect to be successful or prosperous in the walk of the believer." [01:10:01](Download | Download Cropped Video)

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?