Timothy is adapting to life outside the womb. He still bundles himself into a tight ball and even swaddled, he scrunches and squirms. He’s experiencing gravity in a new way now that he’s not suspended securely in amniotic fluid. He has to work at eating, the air he breathes is still new to his lungs, the lighting constantly changes, and his comfortable external temperature now fluctuates. The world can be harsh, but it allows more space for growth than the womb. We are eternal beings, created for fellowship with our eternal Creator, and this world, although not our home, is our proving ground.
”Anyone who lives on milk is still a baby. That person does not want to learn about living a godly life.“
Hebrews 5:13 NIRV
https://bible.com/bible/110/heb.5.13.NIRV
”You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word.
You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right.
Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.“
Hebrews 5:12-14 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/heb.5.13.NLT
“When Jesus saves us, he intends to transform us. Our transformation is to be holistic, affecting not only our heads (what we think), but also our hearts (what we love) and our hands (what we do).” (Courtney Doctor, 5/10/20)
What’s the Deal with Faith and Works in James?
”Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in Christ.
I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, for you are still controlled by your sinful nature.
You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world?“
1 Corinthians 3:1-3 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1co.3.1-3.NLT
“James insists that the kind of faith that truly justifies results in transformation. It’s a faith that moves beyond believing what is true and even having a fitting emotional reaction. It’s a faith that rests in God’s promises and acts on those promises. It’s a faith that is ultimately inseparable from good works.” (Chris Bruno, 9/24/19)
Does James Really Contradict Paul?
“If I said the room you were in was about to blow up in one minute, and you believed me, desired to live, and were physically able to leave, you would hurry to exit. True faith would lead to works! Leaving the room would be the result of your faith.
In short, faith that is merely intellectual assent is not saving faith.
If we truly trust Christ, that trust shows up in how we live. Works evidence our faith.
Good works (are) the fruit of saving faith, not the root.” (John 14:4)
-Thomas Schreiner, TGC, 4/21/2017
Do Paul and James Disagree on Justification by Faith Alone?
”What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?
Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?
So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.“
James 2:14-17 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jas.2.14-17.NLT
”Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors.
So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it.
Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves.
Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.“
James 1:2-8 MSG
https://bible.com/bible/97/jas.1.2-8.MSG
Commit. If you’ve been waffling about the most important decision you’ll ever make, or if you’ve been avoiding deciding altogether, waiting for a more opportune time, remember ”For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.“ (2 Corinthians 6:2 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/2co.6.2.NIV)
If you’ve trusted in the saving work of Jesus on your behalf, then prove it.
”Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.“
Philippians 2:12-13 NLT
A Fitting Reply 