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Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Philippians 2:12-13

Every good man and woman enjoys the work of their hands. It feels good to be creative, to exercise our creative powers and make something beautiful. How much more to God, who has the capacity of infinite pleasure because of His capacity to love infinitely? God loves His works. Ephesians 2 says that we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works. That is what grace is: God working in us and us working in God. It is a fellowship of good works and God rejoices in our good works because He is the author of all good things. He is working out His good pleasure in us as we obey Him. This is what we see in Philippians 2. Paul says to work out your own salvation with fear in trembling, so that God can work in you of His good pleasure. It is a holy cooperation between us and God. God giving His holy commandments and us fearing God and keeping His commandments. What a beautiful marriage of synergy, that is, God working in us by His Spirit and us responding to His Spirit with good works. We are of one Spirit with God, if we have been baptized with the Holy Spirit and are walking in the good fruits of God.

Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

God takes great pleasure in His goodness. God takes great pleasure in us, who are the instruments of His goodness. When God puts something good to do in your heart and you obey it, you are working the works of God by His Spirit. It’s just that simple. God wants to multiply Himself in the earth through us, the church, His people, His called out ones. 1 John says that God is love. James teaches us that faith which works by love has to do good works. It simply must manifest the love that is in his heart. We cannot say we have faith, we cannot say we have love, we cannot say we have the Spirit of God within us and then NOT do the works of God. This is what Jesus was doing when He sent forth the 12 and the 70. He was multiplying the good works of God by giving commandments to heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons and preach the gospel. Jesus lived to bring the Father pleasure, for God said of Jesus, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.” And why was God pleased in Jesus? It’s because He was the perfect obedient Son. It’s because Jesus did the works of the Father at all times. Jesus allowed the grace of God to flow through His life resulting in God’s works being manifest. Each of us are made in that same image of God and have the capability of Jesus to turn the world upside down through doing good. Those of us in the body of Christ are being conformed to Christ’s image. That is, the image of a God pleaser. This is the message of the gospel: please God by doing His works and don’t please yourself with your own selfish works. In so doing, you will find the pleasure of God filling your heart and life as you co-labor with God in the harvest field of souls. Bring your offerings into the storehouse and bless the Lord by allowing His works to flow in and through you.

The grace of God leads to Christ being glorified in us and us in Christ. God always honors those that do His works by faith in Christ. It remains the holy cooperation between God and man. God doing the work of His goodness by having us choose to walk in faith after which God supplies the POWER of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Faith and grace enable us to do what we can’t do ourselves. This is the Word from God, that we should fear not and trust Him for He it is who will help us. The Lord is our helper. He enables us to do His good works in the earth. He enables His will to be done on earth through the church as it is in heaven. Jesus said in John 6 that “this is the work of God, that you believe on He whom He has sent”. Faith in us is God’s holy work. No man could believe on God without the illumination of the truth that the Holy Spirit brings. Yet, God rewards us for having faith because God is simply influencing us to have faith, not forcing or coercing us to have faith. Faith pleases God, says Hebrews 11:6. Believing His Word above what we feel or see pleases Him. So let’s give God what He wants! He wants the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ to be resident in our hearts. Let Him start this work of power in your lives and then allow Him to finish it by YOU having faith in all the revealed Word of God. This is the work God desires to work in you. You are God’s building, you are God’s fruitful field. Go forth and multiply in the name of Jesus, amen!

There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

1 Corinthians 15:41

Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

1 Corinthians 12:22

Spiritually, Christians and Holy Angels are stars, shining the light of Jesus Christ. In the natural, stars are heavenly bodies that shine from the fuel they’ve been given. They don’t selfishly hoard their fuel, but they let it be consumed so that all may benefit from their light. So it is spiritually. The Word of God is the fuel. We kindle the fire by allowing the Holy Spirit to teach us how to die to self. As we follow Christ’s example of death, spiritual life is shining in and through our lives. In the natural, the stars have helium and hydrogen. That is the fuel. A nuclear reaction takes place which is akin to the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. A natural star will eventually burn up its fuel and die. Yet spiritually, we are to let our lights shine, knowing that the fuel of the Word of God and the kindling power of the Holy Spirit will never be exhausted. Just like Jesus fed the 5,000 natural food which was spiritually multiplied into as much as was needed, so it is with our lives. We will never run out of God’s Word and the Spirit of God. God will enable us to shine forevermore, hallelujah.

Just as Christians are spiritual stars, so sinners and Satan and demons are spiritual black holes. It is interesting in the natural that black holes form from large stars that have run out of fuel and have collapsed on themselves. This represents the spiritual transformation from love to selfishness. Stars live to give light. Black holes don’t really live. They just exist but are spiritually dead. A black hole selfishly sucks up everything that surrounds it, even light. This is akin to lust. People no longer die to self but seek to use others for selfish gain, making merchandise of them. This is what Satan does and his demons and his sinners follow him in the way of lust and selfishness. It is also interesting that black holes form from what used to be bright stars. This is true of Satan and his demons. They used to be lights but now they have become counterfeit lights, pretending to be something they used to actually be. So it is with many religious sinners. They used to be light bearers but now are just selfishly going through religious motions. They live to consume rather than to bless and give. Black holes are safe to observe, but only from a distance. If you get close to a natural black hole, it will suck you in. This is what happens if a Christian gets spiritually close to a sinner. He will become a sinner himself if he does what sinners do. Bad manners corrupt good morals, says the Scripture. The parable of the sower shows us that Satan can steal light and the Word of God out of people’s hearts, just like a black hole steals light naturally.

Notice that one star differs from another star in glory. Stars come in different sizes and differ in the amount of fuel that they have available to shine with. This is spiritual reality as well. Each Christian has a finite amount of the Word of God in his or her heart. With the understanding we have, we shine forth as lights in a dark world. Christ is the light of the world and so are His body, shining the same spiritual illumination and understanding that love is the highest way to live and in truth is the only way to really live. Dying to self is like a star using its fuel to bring light to others. We are willing to sacrifice our lives and die to self in order to demonstrate the love of God that has been shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

While the stars differ in glory, they are not envious of each other. They are happy that there are others who are shining the light of Christ. It is not a competition but rather a mutual building up of each other in the Truth by the Spirit. There is one sky but many stars. There is one body but many members. The weak members of the body of Christ are like the stars that don’t shine as brightly as others. Yet, they are still shining. Their lamps have not gone out, and in that we rejoice. It is like the parable of the talents. The one with 5 talents is doing work that others aren’t doing. So it is with the one that has 2 talents. He is doing his own unique and essential work. They are not competing against each other but instead helping each other to shine in their own special way with the talents and giftings that God has bestowed upon them. It is alright to have differing functions and callings, as long as the Spirit behind it all is the love of Christ.

And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Daniel 12:3

We are light bearers in that we lead others to the same truth of Christ that we are living. This is how we shine, by providing a living example of who Christ is and how Christ lives in love through self sacrifice. We pick up our crosses daily and follow Christ. Nothing is more powerful than an object lesson. Our lives should be the study of everyone who desires to live a holy life that pleases God. Just as natural astronomers study stars and keep track of their properties, so the world should become astronomers, gazing lovingly at the stars God has created for His glory. They should be measuring their lives against ours and asking themselves: “what’s missing in my life? What do they have that I don’t have?”

He that wins souls is wise. When our lives speak the truth of the gospel, it shows the world that it is possible to live an overcoming life. No longer does sin rule over us, but we exercise power and dominion over sin and temptation. Life takes on new meaning and we shine like never before. Our spiritual shining and illumination should lead to others catching on fire for the Lord Jesus Christ. It takes a sold out life to shine. We can’t play with sin and expect to be an example for others to follow. For God’s sake and the sake of others, we need to let God sanctify us wholly. Sin should be the exception in a Christian’s life, not a rule they live by each day.

So what it the conclusion? We are created by God to be light bearers of Christ. All the hidden wisdom in the universe is found in Jesus. Live life fully with the understanding that only Christ can bring. Die to yourself daily so that others can see the light of the world, the morning star, Jesus Christ Himself. Spend much time in prayer and in the Word daily so that you may have the spiritual fuel needed to shine. Don’t be a selfish spiritual black hole that uses others, but rather give yourself away freely as a love sacrifice for Jesus and others. God will richly reward all those who empty themselves of self and live a sacrificial life of love, as long as it is IN CHRIST. Amen.

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

James 1:21

We are continuing in James on the theme of FAITH. Where does faith come from? Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. That is where the implanted or engrafted Word comes from. First we must hear and then secondly we must choose to receive the Word of God into the good ground of our hearts. As we plant the seed in our hearts, or rather allow God to plant His seed in our hearts, it begins to grow as it is nurtured and watered by God with our assistance. We must be willing before there can be growth of FAITH in our hearts. The work of faith begins with God, who gives a Word that is worthy of Faith because His Word is Truth. This trustworthy Word inspires us to put faith in what God has said. God is not a man that He should lie. Satan is the father of lies, not God. So we trust God as innocently as a young child believes every word that his father says. Unless we receive the kingdom of God as little children, we shall not enter therein. Children trust. We are the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

To be implanted in us, the Word of God must take deep root so that we can grow into mighty trees that bear much fruit. It is the mature trees that bear fruit. The novice trees have no fruit to speak of. It takes time for the Word of God to grow in our lives. There is no shortcut to this. Keep on sowing the Word of God into your heart. Keep watering it with the Spirit of God. Cooperate with God as the wise master farmer that He is. He is confident in His Seed, the Word and in us as His fertile field. He knows the harvest is coming where there will be multiplied fruit for the church and the world to enjoy.

The seed of God’s Word produces trees which bear fruit at maturity. This fruit is of the Holy Spirit. This fruit is meant to reproduce more trees and more fruit, for the SEED of the fruit is present in the fruit. When people see the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, it helps to plant the seed of God’s Word into their hearts, which will then multiply into more trees bearing more fruit, which will in turn inspire faith in more people! How quickly the engrafted Word can do its work if we will be but willing vessels. It is critical that we allow the seed to grow and not to uproot it through choosing to willfully sin against God. Sin plants a different kind of tree that bears BAD FRUIT. We want the good fruit of God’s Word, so stay far away from the bad influence of sin through doing good in Jesus Christ’s name!

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

James 1:22

Faith works by love, according to God. Faith produces works of love. Love does all it can to promote the highest good of God and people. It will stop at nothing until love is realized. This is why faith cannot just say “I believe” and then do nothing. No, we prove our faith is genuine by doing works of faith which are works of love. This is not the works of obligation that the law produces. These are works of love, which Christ produces. Christ’s example of self sacrifice motivates us to follow Him and imitate His good works. Truly faith is allowing God to move in us and through us by His Spirit. It is love for God and others that encourages us to have more FAITH that we might in turn have more LOVE and so forth. As love increases, so does faith increase. As love increases, so does works of faith increase. Our stars shine brighter and brighter as faith and love accomplish the works of God in our hearts. This is the fruit that God is after: good works motivated by love.

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.

James 1:25

Faith requires us to look very carefully and cautiously into the Word of God. It is as if we are gazing into a mirror, which reveals every detail of our spiritual being. The Word of God is perfect and it reveals every blemish in our hearts and minds. It takes much thought and meditation in the Word of God for the blemishes and imperfections to rise to the surface where they can be seen. Cooperate with God and His Holy Spirit as you allow the work of God to continually wash you and separate you from all manner of sin. Yes, even the deep sin. All sin must go if we are to be worthy of Jesus Christ in the day of judgment.

Faith requires continuance. Jesus Christ said “if you continue in my Word, then are you my disciples indeed”. Because faith is a growth process, it is implicit that it takes time and continual effort for the fruit to be manifest in our lives. Faith is like a tree growing or running a race. Both require time and effort to produce the rewards of heavenly fruit or a heavenly crown. We must overcome sin and temptation to sin. We must resist unto blood, striving against sin. Keep yourself pure from other men’s sins, says the Word. Run the race with patience and endurance. This implies a learning process. We don’t instantly have victory over sin in every area of our lives. It takes time to learn how to say no to temptation in every area. God, being the master builder, understands this and so longsuffers with us until we become what we are created to be: spiritually perfect and mature in love. Love is a learning process which takes years to gain traction in, to grow into a deep love and not just a superficial one. We need to be patient with ourselves and love ourselves. We don’t excuse sin, but IF WE SIN, we confess it and repent and move on in holiness. Don’t let one sin derail your whole life. Learn how to cast down every thought that competes with Christ for your heart. We are continually being transformed into the holy image of Christ. Keep working at it, my brothers and sisters, for it is God at work inside of you by His Son and by His Spirit that will produce the mature fruit God is looking for.

Faith produces liberty or freedom. Faith produces holiness. Holiness is freedom from all sin. Jesus Christ said, “he that commits sin is the servant of sin”. Sin is bondage but love and obedience is freedom. Which one are you walking in today? You can sin and be in bondage and then repent and be in love, but you can’t choose two masters at the same time. When we sin, satan is our father. When we love, God is our Father. Now is the appointed time to come out of the world, be separate, and minister love to God and others. You can do it! It is possible when you give your whole heart to God! Let no temporary sin stop you from an eternal inheritance of love in Christ Jesus! This liberty is called glorious! All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. If sin be the opposite of glory, then faith and love must manifest the glory of God in your life! We can walk as Christ walked, hallelujah.

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.

James 1:27

Pure religion is pure faith. Pure religion comes out of a pure faith which comes from a pure Word. It is the implanted Word of God that bears pure fruit in our lives. It is that pure water of the Word, that nourishes every part of the tree with what the tree needs to bear fruit. What a mystery this is! If a natural tree growing and bearing fruit is a mystery, how much more the spiritual trees and the spiritual fruit. This pure faith of Christ in our lives helps us to keep ourselves unspotted from the world. This is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith in Christ!