THURSDAY MANNA 09 MAY ‘24

Dr. Daniel O. C. | May 09, 2024

”BELOVED, BRIDLE YOUR TONGUE & KEEP YOURSELF UNSPOTTED FROM THE WORLD!”

Saints of God Most High, hear God’s word for you today:

“Anyone who thinks he is religiously observant but does not control his tongue is deceiving himself, and his observance counts for nothing. The religious observance that God the Father considers pure and faultless is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress…” (James 1:26-27)

If anyone thinks himself to be religious and piously observant of the external duties of his faith and does not bridle his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person’s religious service is worthless, futile, and barren.

External religious worship, religion as it is expressed in outward acts that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit, help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.

A PRACTISING CHRISTIAN

Saints of God, life is more than meat and food, the soul excels the clay, O labour then for the gospel food which never shall decay.

To feel sorry for the needy is not the mark of a Christian but to help the needy is the mark.
The Christian life is not hearing nor knowing but doing.

James defines a pure religion in terms of one’s ability:

To control ones tongue
To perform ministry to those in need (i.e.) orphans and widows.
To strive after and achieve moral purity

We must also understand that the intention of this portion of this epistle is not to describe the full essence of the Christian faith.

Indeed, James moved on in his epistle to address Christian virtues such as:

Maintaining impartiality

We must provide for the physical needs of a fellow believer
We must devote ourselves to God and reject worldly enticements
We must handle financial resources correctly
We must cultivate consistency and fervency in prayer.

May we all be convicted to follow God’s divine pattern of life and service in Jesus’ mighty name, Amen!

Everybody shout, “SO HELP ME LORD JESUS!”

Shalom and good morning.
Dr. Daniel O. C.