December 1
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“But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.  To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”   (1 Peter 2:20b-21, NIV)

To “follow in his steps” means going wherever He may go, even into the crucible of personal suffering for doing good.

Because He has left us “an example,” it means doing as He has done: Enduring suffering for God’s glory.

To imitate Jesus is our calling!  It may be the only glimpse of Christ at work through suffering that some of your neighbors, co-workers, family members, and friends see today.  – Luther

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November 30
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“So then, if we do not do the good we know we should do, we are guilty of sin.”  (James 4:17, Good News Translation)

You will not find a more simple, direct, or pure definition of sin than what is written in today’s scripture verse.

This definition does not cover all sin, but it does address what we refer to as “sins of omission”: Knowing but not doing.  Following this principle, it might also be said that we sin when we have, but do not share what we have with others.

James’ letter is, I think, the most practical book in the New Testament.  (I recently heard someone call it “The ‘book of Proberbs’ of the New Testament.”)  The epistle of James addresses the common issues of our life as disciples of Jesus, and is well worth the 15 minutes or so it would take a slow reader (like myself) to cover its five, short, chapters.

James reminds us that we need not sin.  – Luther

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November 29
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“Come near to God and he will come near to you.”  (James 4:8, NIV)

How does the disciple of Jesus address internal conflict and external strife?

According to James: First, draw near to God, and submit to His rule in your life, and; second, resist the devil.

Saturday, we focused on the latter.  Today, let’s look at the former.

The act of “drawing near” to God can be as simple as taking time to pray, but it is always intentional, and it always reflects our desire to enter the presence of our heavenly Father.  It is in the presence of God that the child of God receives the wisdom necessary to address internal conflict and external strife.  – Luther

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