Given Freely And Without Reproach

One of my favorite (one of many) verses in speaking with others is James 1:5 which reads, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives generously and without reproach and it will be given to him.” Sometimes when we stumble or do something wrong and we seek to correct it there are those who while they may help also want to rub our face in our failings. Or they want to remind us how many times we may have come back with the same issue. James tells us that God gives us His wisdom freely and without reproach – without wagging His finger in our face. Forgiveness once and for all was given to us through the cross of Christ when we placed our trust in Him and received His gift of salvation. This means that there is nothing which would then come along and separate us from His love. We have peace with God, and as a result, we can experience the peace of God. James goes on to tell us that once we ask for and receive that wisdom that we then need to head it, because the one who doesn’t-who listens to God and to other conflicting voices-is the one who is tossed around by the wind like the surf of the sea. Yes, we will all fail, we all sin. But God’s answer is simply confess it to Him, commit to His ways, and continue in our relationship with Him (1 John 1:9). We have an accuser who gladly points to our failings. Yet we have a Savior who says, “It’s been taken care of. Rest firm in the shelter of My hand.”

Today in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (3/19)

I speak to you from the depths of your being. Hear Me saying soothing words of Peace, assuring you of My Love. Do not listen to voices of accusation, for they are not from Me. I speak to you in love-tones, lifting you up. My Spirit convicts cleanly, without crushing words of shame. Let the Spirit take charge of your mind, combing out tangles of deception. Be transformed by the truth that I live within you.

The Light of My Presence is shining upon you, in benedictions of Peace. Let My Light shine in you; don’t dim it with worries or fears. Holiness is letting Me live through you. Since I dwell in you, you are fully equipped to be holy. Pause before responding to people or situations, giving My Spirit space to act through you. Hasty words and actions leave no room for Me; this is atheistic living. I want to inhabit all your moments-gracing your thoughts, words, and behavior.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life sets me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. 1 Corinthians 6:19