The book of James

Disclaimer applied!

I love the book of James! As I sit here and reflect on my day, the words of James are on my heart. This book has always caught my attention. I even took a class at Harding about the book of James; Sadly, I wish I could remember all that information. The book is an oxymoron for me. Sometimes he challenges my maturity and actions by making it so simple. Other times, I have no clue what it really means.

Practical:"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Then he throws in the phrase somewhere else, "he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him".

Practical: "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless."

And another confusion:Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

While these statements are not in order and don't go with each other, they are a great example of my confusion. (and this is just chapter. 1)

I wish that I could say statements as bold as James, with the confidence that he proclaims each thought. I wish I could understand phrases that he uses. They seem to be common phrases that I have heard and said all my life but never truly understood in a deep way. How do you keep trying to be something that you don't really understand?

Here's what I know. I know my heart listens, responds, and is reminded of his thoughts even though I don't know what most of it means (which I know is weird). I know my heart desires to be what he describes as "religious".

More thoughts later...