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11/23 Reading Portions: 1 Chronicles 18; James 5; Jonah 2; Luke 7
James 5:3
Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire.
CORRODED
James, the Lord’s half-brother and bond slave, demonstrates in a single sentence that his general epistle is not a legalistic treatise which exalts man’s works over saving faith, but instead, is an exhortation in understanding that true, Biblical faith is transforming, and is evidenced by a truly pious, Christ-surrendered life. Many Jews of his day equated the blessings of God with a prosperous life. Many Jews, redeemed by the atoning death and cleansing blood of Jesus, were backsliding into the same attitude of temporal prosperity. James reminded them of the work of their hands, which had brought them great wealth (gold and silver), were corroded compared to the precious blood of Jesus. Moreover, if their confession was a false one, they would burn along with their treasures of gold, silver, and expensive and elaborate garments. Faith without works, James tells us earlier, is dead (Jas 1:26). Now, he makes sure we understand the harmony of the gospel truth: that works apart from faith is dead as well. It is rotted and moth-eaten (Jas 5:2) and has corroded the highest reward of labor which is accomplished apart from saving and sanctifying grace through faith. The corruptions still remaining in our mortal flesh (Rom 7:18) hate the gospel of Jesus Christ (Gal 5:17). Corrupt flesh is devious. If it can distract our minds from thinking about Christ, it is content because it is not being put to death (Col 3:5). This is why we must renew our minds (Rom 12:2); for we must develop an active will which lines up with the reality that Christ has made us new creations in Him (2 Cor 5:17). Hallelujah! What a Savior!
The blessed work of saving grace
Produces works, yet does
Put our priorities in their place
With renew’d minds of love.
Happy Thanksgiving Brother Jon! I just wanted to let you know that I'm thankful for your devotions.