The Cause of Inconsistency
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
James 1:22–25
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The Cause of Inconsistency
We would deceive ourselves into thinking that the Law has nothing to do with the Christian life. However, the Law blossoms into something larger and more beautiful for the Christian. It never goes away in the Christian life. The Law functions as a guide for us as we live a life of faith. Thus, we would also deceive ourselves into thinking that good works have nothing to do with the Christian life. The Christian life is a life lived under the cross. Our faith saves us as the Holy Spirit calls us by the Gospel, enlightens us with his gifts, and sanctifies us in the true faith. That faith produces fruit. That faith moves the Christian to good works of love to our neighbor. Indeed, God has prepared these good works for you to do for his glory and to the support of your neighbor. By the work of Jesus on the Cross, we are transformed. No longer slaves to sin, we are now dead to sin and alive to God. By Jesus’ work on the cross, we are made capable of the good works that are pleasing to God. Jesus transforms us to himself. We become little Christs: Christians. As Jesus does, so also Christians do.
James 1:22–25
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The Cause of Inconsistency
We would deceive ourselves into thinking that the Law has nothing to do with the Christian life. However, the Law blossoms into something larger and more beautiful for the Christian. It never goes away in the Christian life. The Law functions as a guide for us as we live a life of faith. Thus, we would also deceive ourselves into thinking that good works have nothing to do with the Christian life. The Christian life is a life lived under the cross. Our faith saves us as the Holy Spirit calls us by the Gospel, enlightens us with his gifts, and sanctifies us in the true faith. That faith produces fruit. That faith moves the Christian to good works of love to our neighbor. Indeed, God has prepared these good works for you to do for his glory and to the support of your neighbor. By the work of Jesus on the Cross, we are transformed. No longer slaves to sin, we are now dead to sin and alive to God. By Jesus’ work on the cross, we are made capable of the good works that are pleasing to God. Jesus transforms us to himself. We become little Christs: Christians. As Jesus does, so also Christians do.
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