Attitude and Accountability

Join me as I study the book of James. 

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. James 1:1 (KJV)

Servant: one who gives himself up wholly to another's will

Lord: a person exercising absolute ownership rights; denotes an owner (master) exercising full rights

Greeting: to be well, to thrive, to be "cheer"ful, i.e. calmly happy or well-off

Being a servant is a choice. And choosing whom you will serve is an important factor to consider! James, chose to be a servant, to God, and the LORD Jesus Christ. 

Because James placed his faith in Jesus Christ, then the Lord has full ownership of James (and anyone else who places their faith in Christ). And as a servant of Christ, there comes responsibilities and accountabilities. 

James begins his letter, with the word "greeting". I like the meaning of that word, "to thrive". And I like that meaning especially as you read verse 2. "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations." 

But we'll study that verse another day. Today's focus is on my attitude and accountability of being a servant to the LORD Jesus Christ. Since He has full ownership of me, He can choose what comes into my life. I am responsible to handle it with the grace and mercy He provides so that He will be glorified. 

I am to wholly give myself to the LORD (absolute ownership rights) and live my life honoring and representing Him well. 

Be exhausted — Solid Rock!

My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 (NKJV)

Flesh: body

Heart: inner man, mind, will

Fail: spent, be exhausted

Strength: a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge

Portion: possession

Forever: indefinite futurity

What great truths on in this verse! 

Absolutely Trustworthy

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; the God of my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my Savior, You save me from violence. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies. 2 Samuel 22:2-4 (NKJV)

Trust: A primitive root; to flee for protection (compare batach); figuratively, to confide in -- have hope, make refuge, (put) trust.

Why is God worthy of trust, and trustworthy?

Rock: literally cliff, from a root word meaning to be lofty; a craggy rock, literally or figuratively a fortress, strong hold.

Fortress: Castle, a fastness, defense, a strong place

Deliverer: bring into security, carry away safe

Strength: mighty God one,  a rock or boulder, strong

Shield: to hedge about, i.e. protect, defend

Horn: symbol of strength

Of my salvation: liberty, deliverance, prosperity, safety

Stronghold: God as refuge, a cliff or other lofty or inaccessible place, high tower

Refuge: place of escape, a retreat

Savior: to be safe, deliverer

Violence: cruelty, damage, injustice, unrighteous

Call: summon, address by name

Worthy to be praised: to rave, to celebrate

Saved: be liberated, properly placed in freedom

Enemies: hating; an adversary, foe

http://biblehub.com/interlinear/2_samuel/22-2.htm

Meditate on each of the words describing God. Once the meaning of the words and the power displayed in each, then the truth that God is absolutely trustworthy stands out. 

Knowing who God is — how can you help but trust Him? 

Three Distinct Actions

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. Matthew 22:37 (NKJV)

Love: involves the idea of affectionate reverence, prompt obedience, grateful recognition of benefits received

Lord: a person exercising absolute ownership rights

All: complete (in extent, amount, time or degree)

Heart: it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavors

Soul:  the root of the English words "psyche," "psychology"; a person's distinct identity (unique personhood), i.e. individual personality

Mind: the faculty of understanding, feeling, desiring

This weekend is my Church's Missions Conference. The theme verse is Matthew 22:37. As I was studying this verse this morning, the meaning of the word "love" stood out. 

Involves the idea of affectionate reverence, prompt obedience, grateful recognition of benefits received.

Affectionate reverence. 

Prompt obedience. 

Grateful recognition of benefits received. 

Three distinct actions. 

As I evaluate my life, do I love my Lord (who does have absolute ownership rights to me), with those three distinct actions?  Do I give him the reverence He deserves? Do I obey him promptly? Do I not only have an attitude of gratefulness for all the benefits, but do I tell Him, "Thank you"? 

Look at the three distinct areas in which I am to love God. 

Heart. Soul. Mind. 

The heart is my desires, my passions. The soul is "who I am". The mind is understanding, feeling, thinking. 

Do my desires and passions reflect a reverence for God? Am I passionate about obeying God — promptly? Do my thoughts readily express gratefulness? 

Some will say, "but that's not who I am? I wasn't made that way?" But the truth is, that God did make us "that way". We were designed in the image of God, and if it weren't for sin, we would love God with the entirety of our souls. 

What do I put into my mind? What do I dwell upon? What do I allow to dictate how I feel, and what my desires are? If I evaluate my thoughts through the filter of "love", will I find that I have reverence for God? Do I act quickly in obeying God in making sure my thoughts and feelings are in accordance with Him? Am I quick to give thanks for all God does? 

Love. Three distinct actions. 

Pattern - Great Patience

As I was studying Galatians 5: 22 and 23, I decided to see what other verses used the same words.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

Longsuffering: attitude of uncomplaining

Who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 1 Peter 3:20

Longsuffering waited — waited patiently, great patience of God was waiting.

How long did God wait? According to Genesis 6:3 — And the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” At least 120 years before flooding the earth. 

And I have trouble waiting weeks, days, or at times even minutes. When you consider the patience  the longsuffering that God did as he continued to watch the people He created sin against Him..... while providing an opportunity to be saved...... that is indeed longsuffering. 

And as I shared yesterday in my blog post, (Pattern) I am to pattern that same longsuffering. Something I need to work on for sure.