James 4:6

But He gives us more and more grace (through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation). Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but gives (the gift of) grace to the humble (who turn away from self-righteousness).”

Jesus understands that we live in a fallen world with temptations. No one is immune, which is where grace comes to help the humble redeem themselves from the sin trap. We must fall back on Jesus in every situation where we have missed the mark. The faster we repent when we error, the quicker we heal, and the protection from sin is restored. We cannot live this life without loving Grace!

James 1:25

But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a (careless) listener who forgets but an active doer (who obeys), he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does (in his life of obedience).

It is a daily struggle to move from being a careless listener and not forgetting the morning’s Bible study to being an active doer. Our thoughts and focus start in the morning and drive our day forward. If we don’t deliberately focus on God’s law of liberty, we will get diverted, and not in a good way. It is easier to live an obedient life when we don’t dwell on ungodly thoughts. 

Deuteronomy 13:1-3

If a prophet arises among you, or a dreamer of dreams, and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder which he spoke (foretold) to you comes to pass, and if he says, “Let us follow after other gods (whom you have not known) and let us serve and worship them,” you shall not listen to the words of the prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all year heart and all your soul. 

Our knowledge of the word will keep us safe from deception. God warns us on what to look for and how the devil will try to deceive people away from God. It’s about love, loyalty to God (not man), and commitment to God in the heart. We will not be deceived if we keep our faith even under pressure from the world. Our goal is to keep the faith and pass the test. 

Deuteronomy 7:9

Therefore know (without any doubt) and understand that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who is keeping His covenant and His (steadfast) lovingkindness to a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.

God keeps His promises to those who love Him and keep His commandments. His faithfulness cannot be compared to anything we have in human knowledge. Our minds cannot understand how great God’s love is for His people. God’s love is the kind of love that will never leave or forsake those who believe and trust in Him. 

Jude 20-21

But you, beloved, build yourselves up on (the foundation of) your most holy faith (continually progress, rise like and edifice higher and higher), pray in the Holy Spirit, and keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously and looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ (which will bring you) to eternal life. 

We can grow in faith and persevere. It takes some commitment and time, but the more we read, listen, and study the faith, the more we will see and hear from God. The closer we draw toward Him, the closer He will come to us. Eternal life isn’t a fairy tale but brought to us through salvation.  

Jude 17-19

But as for you, beloved, remember the (prophetic) words spoken by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They used to say to you, “In the last days there will be scoffers, following after their own ungodly passions.” These are the ones who are (agitators) causing divisions-worldly minded (secular, unspiritual, carnal, merely sensual-unsaved) devoid of the Spirit.

Sin will blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the scoffers of Christianity. They do not discern the flesh from the spirit and control the carnal nature of the flesh. They see no division or future of the spirit and live a life minimalized to what the earth has to offer. Sin blinds them to salvation and any release from perpetual unsatisfaction. 

Psalm 39:5-6
Behold, You have made my days as (short as) hand widths, and my lifetime is nothing in Your sight. Surely every man at his best is a mere breath (a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes)! Surely every man walks around like a shadow (in a charade); surely they make an uproar for nothing; each one builds up riches, not knowing who will receive them.

Our time is an investment in what is meaningful or meaningless. We can invest in money, jobs, creativity, and friends, but do we take the time to invest in our spirits and souls? We will focus our time on being successful outwardly and neglect what matters the most: our relationship with God and our spirits. We should make the most of our time and let Jesus lead us to the fulfillment of our lives.

Psalm 37:7
Be still before the Lord; wait patiently for Him and entrust yourself to Him; do not fret (whine, agonize) because of him who prospers in his way, because the man who carries out wicked schemes.

Our faith in a situation depends on what we focus on. When we focus on God and His promises and believe in them, it is easier to be patient. If we focus on the sinner and their actions, we will judge them, look for justice, and lose our patience. We will no longer be in faith but worry, leading to evil.

Luke 5:20
When Jesus saw their (active) faith (springing from confidence in Him), He said, “Man, your sins are forgiven.”

If we don’t believe that Jesus can do what the Bible says, we are not in faith. Our faith must be alive and actively working in our hearts and minds daily. Faith takes confidence in Jesus to work. Faith grows like a mustard seed, starting out small, and the more we nourish ourselves with the Word, the larger our tree will grow.

Luke 4:18
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me (the Messiah), because He has anointed Me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent Me to announce release (pardon, forgiveness) to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed (downtrodden, bruised, crushed by tragedy).

Jesus came to set us free from the chokehold that sin has over the people. He opens the gates and redeems the people through salvation and forgiveness of sins. Jesus bridges the gap in our lives even after we are saved. There is no other way to God and eternity except through the Son Jesus.