The book of James often mirrors the Sermon on the Mount and offers much in the way of practical applications and Christian living. James 1:22-25, in particular, challenges believers to achieve a faith that goes beyond just hearing. It is faith marked by action. This section begins with a call to action: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22). The difference between hearing and doing is vital. James says that hearing the word without applying it can lead to self-deception. Simply nodding along to sermons or reading Scripture without having it affect our lives creates a false sense of security. One may feel they are in league with God but be mistaken.
In verses 23-24, James uses a well-worn metaphor: hearing the word without doing it is like looking in a mirror, walking away, and forgetting what has just been seen. The mirror symbolizes God’s word, the perfect Law of Liberty, which exposes our spiritual condition. If we fail to act upon this, what results is a lack of spiritual growth. A mirror doesn’t change us; it only shows us what needs attention.
By contrast, the one who looks into the “perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:25). This “law of liberty” is the word of God, to which we must adhere. Thus, we need to do by applying God’s holy word to our daily lives. It ought to be the driving force behind who we are and what we choose to do. If we want to grow closer to Christ, don’t just hear what the Lord has to say, do it!
There are a significant number of people in the religious world today who believe that once we are saved from our sins, that we will always be saved. In other words, once we are saved, we can never be lost again. Within Calvinism, this doctrine is known as the perseverance of the saints. To bolster their belief, several passages of scripture are used to ‘prove’ their case. One such passage reads, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). Does this passage really teach that once we are saved, we are always saved and can never fall away?
These two verses of scripture are in a larger context where Paul is explaining to the brethren in Rome that there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. God is always going to love us. We need not think that any tribulation or persecution that we might suffer is evidence that God has stopped loving us (Romans 8:35-37). None of these things can separate us from God. Even our great adversary, the Devil, cannot separate us from God, though he will certainly accuse us and try to condemn us. If we belong to the Lord, then we have Jesus to intercede for us with the Father (Romans 8:31-34). So, there is no external force that can separate the believer from God.
But does this mean that we are always saved no matter what? While no external force can keep us from God, we can. No one else can pluck us out of the hand of God (John 10:29), but we can lose our salvation if we give it up. Notice in Hebrews 2:1 that we need to give heed to what Jesus has said so we will not drift away. Drift away from where? We cannot drift away from a place we have never been. The book is written to Hebrew Christians who have been saved. Why warn them about drifting away if that is an impossibility? One might say they were never really saved since they have drifted away, but Hebrews 6:4-6 shows someone who has definitely been saved who then falls away. Peter also speaks of those who were saved who then went back into the world and were lost (2 Peter 2:20-22). Paul says, “let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12). Again, why the warning if we cannot fall from grace?
The Bible has many examples of those who had lost their salvation. Judas, who was handpicked by Jesus to be an Apostle fell. Demas fell, having loved this present world (2 Tim. 4:10). Alexander and Hymeneus suffered shipwreck regarding their faith (1 Tim. 1:19-20). You cannot suffer shipwreck if you were never on the boat! Even Paul, an inspired Apostle, could lose his salvation (1 Cor. 9:27).
While no one else can take it from us, it is important for us to remain faithful, so that we will not lose our salvation. For, “how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him?” (Heb. 2:3). We will not escape the wrath of God that is to come if we neglect, or count as worthless, the great salvation that God has given to those who obey Him.
Have you ever spent Christmas Eve feverishly trying to assemble that last gift? Perhaps you waited until the last moment thinking it wouldn’t be a big deal or difficult. It only required some assembly, after all. Then you notice that the instructions are not clearly written, and the diagrams are small and ambiguous as to which side of the frame the screws are supposed to be inserted. Don’t you wish that you had all that pertains to how to put this thing together?
God’s instructions for us are not like that. They are neither unclear, nor ambiguous. Peter tells us that God, through His magnificent ability and divine power, “has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3 NKJV). He has given us all the things that we need in order to know how to live a godly life. He has left nothing to chance. He has given us no reason to wonder what it is that He wants. Through God’s written word, the Bible, mankind can have all the information and instruction necessary to live a life that pleases the Lord. We can read and understand what God wants us to know (Ephesians 3:3-5). We can understand the will of the Lord (Ephesians 5:17). We can have the knowledge of Him and His will so that, “you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).
Of course, many choose to ignore the instructions. Sometimes our pride gets in the way. I know how to put this thing together. Hours later, we begin to look for where we laid those instructions. When all else fails, consult the instructions. However, it would be better to start with the instructions so that we can arrive at the desired end. Our desired end ought to be heaven. Our desired end ought to be having a relationship with our Lord and Savior. We can say, “I don’t need the instructions, I know what I am doing,” but that path will not lead us to know God as He wants to be known. He has given us all things for living a godly life in His inspired words. Let us look to those basic instructions before leaving earth so that we will get to be where we want to go.
The concept of the Rapture, a time when Jesus would come to secretly remove His saints from the world, was first postulated in the early to mid 1800’s. According to those who buy into the idea of Premillennialism, Jesus is going to snatch away the church prior to a seven-year period of tribulation. The idea has sold books and movies about what they imagine will happen to those who have been left behind. It has led to many trying to predict a date for the return of Christ. There is just one main problem with this idea/teaching. It is not biblical.
The Bible does not teach any of this. The Bible indicates that when Jesus returns there will be great noise. The Lord will descend from heaven with a shout, there will be the voice of an archangel, and the trumpet of God will sound (1 Thes. 4:16). Furthermore, Peter states that the earth and all that is in it will be burned up (2 Peter 3:9). That does not appear to be very quiet!
The Bible indicates that when Jesus returns it will not be in secret. Those Apostles who watched Jesus ascend into heaven were told that Jesus would return in like manner (Acts 1:11). That means He will be coming with the clouds, and they will be able to watch it happen. Additionally, John indicates in Revelation 1:7 that every eye will see Him when He returns, including those who pierced Him (not just the righteous). Every eye means everyone will see this happen. That does not correspond to a secret return.
The Bible indicates that when Jesus returns that there will be one resurrection of the dead. The doctrine of Premillennialism and the Rapture teaches that there will be two resurrections separated by 1,007 years. Jesus said, “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” (John 5:28-29). Paul, in speaking of the resurrection stated that there is a singular resurrection of both the just and the unjust (Acts 24:15).
When Jesus returns time will end, the earth will be destroyed, and Judgment Day will occur. This is what the Bible teaches about the end time. There will be no warnings or signs. Jesus Himself indicated this when He declared that even He did not know when it would take place (Mat. 24:36). It is futile for man to try to set a date. Do we know more than Jesus? While these false doctrines may seem to be fascinating, and may sell books, they are not biblical. Read and study your Bible, like the Bereans, to see if these things are so.
As we reflect on Veterans Day, we honor those dedicated to their country. This moment invites us to consider a deeper question: Are you dedicated to the Lord? The biblical Nazarite was a powerful example of such dedication. While Jesus was called a Nazarene because of Nazareth (see Matthew 2:23), the Nazarite vow was something entirely different—a voluntary commitment to God, marked by extraordinary devotion. As we seek to grow closer to Christ, let us explore what the Nazarite vow entailed and challenge ourselves to examine our own dedication.
The Nazarite Vow
The Nazarite vow, described in Numbers 6:1-8, was open to both men and women. It was a special, difficult vow—an act of consecration between an individual and God, not a family or tribe. Unlike other Old Testament laws found in Leviticus or Exodus, this vow focused on personal commitment. The Hebrew word nazir means “dedicate,” and appears about ten times in the context regarding a separation or dedication. The vow was a way for an individual to set themselves apart for God for a specific period, giving what was most precious—their “self”—to the Lord.
Three-Fold Stipulations
Abstain from wine and strong drink: This went beyond what was required even of priests.
No razor shall pass over the head: During the vow, the individual would not cut their hair.
Avoid contact with the dead: Even accidental defilement required the person to shave their head and begin the vow anew (see Numbers 6:9-12). This underscores the seriousness of the commitment.
Completion of the vow involved several offerings—a male lamb, an ewe lamb, a ram, a basket of cakes, and the shaving of the dedicated hair, which was burned on the altar. Afterward, the Nazarite was welcomed back into fellowship and could once again partake of the grapevine.
Notable Nazarites
Only three individuals are thought to have been Nazarites from birth:
Samson (Judges 13:2-5)
John the Baptist (Luke 1:15)
Samuel (1 Samuel 1:11)
Historical sources like Josephus and Eusebius note that Nazarite vows were popular in the first century AD, and that figures such as John the Baptist and James (the brother of Jesus) were Nazarites. Even Paul is believed to have taken a Nazarite vow (Acts 18:18; 21:23), sometimes helping others complete theirs due to the expense involved.
How Dedicated Are We?
While Christians are not under the law of Moses and there is no direct equivalent to the Nazarite vow in the New Testament, believers are still called to be dedicated to the Lord—set apart and made holy. The term “saints” means “holy ones,” those who have been set apart (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Peter 1:16; 1 Peter 2:9; Galatians 2:20). This dedication is about going beyond a regular relationship with God, giving ourselves to Him fully, and living for Christ.
The Nazarite vow was voluntary, not commanded (Numbers 6:2), much like fasting in the New Testament (Matthew 6:16-18). Both are ways to show dedication to God that go above and beyond what is required. Every week, we have opportunities to demonstrate our dedication.
Conclusion
The Nazarite vow was a difficult, extra step of dedication to the Lord, requiring the individual to remain undefiled. In a sense, becoming a Christian is a similar vow—a commitment to remain set apart and holy (1 John 2:15-17). As we reflect, let’s ask ourselves: Does our dedication need to be ramped up? The invitation is open to deepen our commitment and grow closer to Him.
Perhaps you have tried to share the gospel with someone or encouraged them to come to the worship service of the church, only to have them quote the title above as if they are separate from God’s requirements. Don’t get me wrong, we can have a covenant relationship with the Lord, but that relationship can only be had according to His stipulations and requirements. Let’s explore . . .
In the Old Testament covenant that God made with the nation of Israel, God gave all of the stipulations and requirements to Moses on Mt. Sinai. Moses then relayed the information to the children of Israel. “So Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD and all the judgments. And all the people answered with one voice and said, ‘All the words which the LORD has said we will do’” (Exodus 24:3 emphasis added). Notice the ‘all’ that they said they would do. The covenant was not negotiable. The Lord set the stipulations and the people could either accept it or refuse it. They couldn’t say that they had a special or different deal with the Lord. Part of those stipulations were that they had to keep three specific feast days to the Lord (Exodus 23:14). They couldn’t just decide to roll those three into one day for convenience. The covenant was unilateral and non-negotiable.
In the New Testament there is a new covenant. Jeremiah prophesied that this new covenant was coming (Jer. 31:31-34). The new covenant is the agreement that we can have with the Lord today, however, this deal is also based upon the commandments and stipulations of the Lord. We can either accept the deal or deny it. We do not get to negotiate our own deal individually. Jesus basically says that if we follow Him, we can have the remission of our sins and live with Him forever (Mark 16:16; Mat. 28:19-20; Acts 2:38). Notice especially in the Matthew passage that in order to be a disciple of Christ that one must be baptized and taught to observe all things that Jesus has commanded.
Both the Hebrew and Greek words that are used for covenant in the Bible mean a contract or agreement of some kind. So, we can have an agreement with God. That agreement or covenant relationship can only be had, however, if we will accept all that God has told us to do. God’s salvation is not a buffet where we get to pick and choose. We must do all that He commands us to do!
In the religious world today, there is no shortage of worship styles and services, all of which differ in mode and operation. It begs the question as to whether they are all approved of by God. Some will say that the details of their worship to God do not matter, that anything is acceptable. I wonder if those same folks would be okay with animal sacrifices being done in a voodoo ritual, or snake handling being done by some fringe group, however. It would seem that we all would draw a line somewhere.
The question then becomes where do you draw that line? If we are all going to do something different in our worship to God, who determines if that is acceptable or not? The root of the issue really boils down to authority. Do we have the authority to make our own decisions when it comes to worshiping God?
In the New Testament of the Bible the subject of authority comes up often. In one such instance, the chief priests and elders are questioning Jesus in the temple and asking where His authority comes from to do what He was doing. Jesus responded with a question of His own. “But Jesus answered and said to them, ‘I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men?” (Mat. 21:24-25 NKJV). Notice that Jesus only gave two options for the source of authority. Authority either comes from heaven or from men.
Everything that is done in religion today is done by one of those two sources of authority. Either what we do is done with the authority of God Almighty, or what we do is by our own authority. God has a preference. In rebuking the Pharisees and scribes, Jesus referred to them as hypocrites and stated, “And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Mark 7:7, Mat. 15:9). Worship that is vain is useless. God will not accept useless worship. God wants to be worshipped as He has commanded.
We need to have biblical authority for what we teach and practice. Paul explained in Colossians 3:17 that whatever we do in word or in deed needs to be done in the name of the Lord. That doesn’t mean we do what we want and slap the name of Jesus on it. That means that we do it according to His authority. Let us examine our own selves to see that we are doing what the Lord wants when it comes to our worship of Him. By what authority do you do these things?
Our current news feed is loaded with what has been going on in Israel in the war with Hamas. Many are wanting for a cease fire that will bring peace to the region, but the question that must be answered is how you negotiate with someone who only wants your death or demise. How can you appease them if all they want is for you to not exist? Can we make a deal with the Devil?
It’s difficult to see how that would bring about the desired result, and yet people seem to think that they can make a deal with the Devil and that it will somehow all work out. Satan is referred to in the Bible many times and in many ways. He is the tempter in the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3. He is the accuser of mankind in Job 1. He is the leader of the fallen angels who have made war against the people of God in Eph. 2:2 and Revelation 12. All he wants is for the demise and destruction of mankind. How can you negotiate with him?
Moses certainly understood the importance of not giving in to the adversary. In dealing with Pharaoh, Moses remained steadfast and sure and did not negotiate with the foe of God. In Exodus 8:25 Pharaoh told Moses to hold a sacrifice in the land of Egypt, but that was not what God had demanded. Later, in Exodus 8:28, Pharoah said to go, but only do not go too far away. Satan would like for us to not go too far away from him. He wants for us to keep one foot in his synagogue (Rev. 2:9) and one foot in the church.
In the plague of the locusts in Exodus 10, Pharaoh again tried to control the situation in allowing the men to go and sacrifice, but he wanted the children to be left behind. Satan is delighted when we don’t bring our children with us into the church or into a right relationship with the Lord. Satan loves to tell us that it is wrong for us to “force” our religion on our children, and instead would have us allowing our children to make their own choices when they are still young and naïve.
Pharaoh tried one last time to negotiate with Moses and his God in allowing the people to leave, but not taking their possessions with them. “Then Pharaoh called to Moses and said, ‘Go, serve the Lord; only let your flocks and your herds be kept back’” (Exodus 10:24). Moses answered Pharaoh that they would not leave a hoof behind when they exited Egypt (Exodus 10:26). Moses understood that he could not give ground to the adversary.
Satan loves it when we give in and negotiate with him. Go serve God, he might say, but don’t go very far away. Go do what the Lord wants, but leave your children behind with me. Go ahead and be a Christian, but don’t let that get in the way of your pursuit of material things. We cannot give ground to the adversary. We cannot deal with the Devil. We cannot negotiate with Satan. We need to stand, and to stand firm against the wiles of the Devil.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (Eph 6:10–13).
There is a country song by one of Knoxville’s more famous sons titled “Everybody Wants to go to Heaven,” which expresses the attitude that we can live however we want now and still go to heaven in the end. In the song, the lyrics suggest that we can have the women and whiskey and all the worldly pleasures we want, as long as we put some extra money in the collection plate on Sunday. Is that how God operates?
The thought is nothing new. Around 1400 BC, there was a prophet of God named Balaam who basically wanted to do the same thing. Balaam was eager to go with the men that the king of Moab sent to him in order that he might come and curse the children of Israel, who had exited Egypt 40 years prior and were now encamped on the plain hear Moab (Num. 22-24; 2 Pet. 2:15). You may remember that God did not want Balaam to go and even placed the Angel of the Lord in his way. Balaam wanted to go and be ‘honored’ by the king of Moab, but he still wanted to die the death of the righteous (Num. 23:10). Can we live wickedly and still die the death of the righteous?
How we live matters! We cannot live like the devil and die like an angel. God says that we are to strive for holiness in how we live (1 Pet. 1:13-16). Indeed, Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called” (Eph. 4:1). We cannot live in disobedience and think that we can somehow buy our way into heaven. It didn’t work for Balaam, who died with those who caused Israel to stumble by his counsel (Num. 31:8, 16), and it will not work for us. If we want to die the death of the righteous, we must live in obedience to God!
In today’s modern culture there is an emphasis on self sufficiency. That is, man believes that he is to be the ultimate judge and determiner of his own destiny. He does not need to rely on any one else. In such a spirit, we can imagine a modern day Noah asking the title question when God instructed him to make an ark.
In the story of Noah, we see that God specified that Noah was to use a particular type of wood for the ark. God said, “Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch” (Genesis 6:14 NKJV). While we do not know today just exactly what gopherwood was, it is clear that this is the wood that God specified that Noah was to use. It would not do for Noah to use any type of wood. When God specifically told him to use one kind of wood, He expressly eliminated all other types of wood. We see Noah’s righteousness in that he did just what God had commanded him to do (Genesis 6:22). Noah would not have been blessed had he not obeyed what God told him to do and used another type of wood.
God did not need to provide Noah with a list of all the types of wood that were forbidden. He only needed to specify which wood was acceptable for the task. Today, many want to take the pages of Scripture and say that they are allowed to do whatever God has not specifically condemned. However, this is a misapplication of God’s Holy Word. For instance, God did not command us to make music, but instead told us to sing (Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19). Had He told us to simply make music, we could do whatever we wished. Instead, He commands us to sing. That command to sing eliminates all other forms of music. He does not need to list all that is forbidden, since He has specified what is acceptable. It is the same as a sign on the restroom that specifies “Men.” That sign does not need to list who is not allowed, since it only authorizes men to enter.
There are many other examples that can be used to show the same line of reasoning. The fire that Nadab and Abihu used would be another indication that God specified what He wanted, and it eliminated all other types of fire (Lev. 10:1-3). Just as Noah could not use any wood that he saw fit to use, we cannot be of the opinion that we can wander from what God has specified with regards to our worship to Him in our singing. Let us not be guilty of going beyond what God has commanded!
salvation's path 