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February 16 Daily Devotional

Are You For Real? (James 3:1–2)

the Rev. Larry Wilson

Scripture for Day 47—James 3:1–2

1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways, and if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.

Devotional:

Chapter 1 gave three "leading spiritual indicators," three signs of a genuine relationship with God—a controlled tongue; care for the needy; and cleanliness from the world (vv. 26–27). Chapter 2 elaborated on the second—care for the needy. Chapter 3 returns to the first—a controlled tongue. "If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless" (1:26).

Notice that verse 1 addresses Christians—"my brothers." As we've noticed before, "brothers" is not gender-specific. It refers to siblings in the household of God. It refers to God's redeemed children—to believers in Jesus Christ.

"Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers…" To say "not many" believers "should become teachers" implies that some believers should become teachers. The word translated "teacher" is a technical term in the New Testament for those who are ordained to the office of minister of the Word (e.g., see Acts 13:1; 1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11). James himself was in this category ("we who teach"). Although this principle certainly has broader application, this verse is especially speaking of pastor-teachers in the church.

Because God does call some believers to be teachers, therefore he at the same time calls every believer to put himself or herself under the godly teachers that he has called. Are you a committed and involved member in a local church? It is both a sin and a danger to be a "Lone Ranger Christian."

At the same time, take seriously God's implied warning in this Scripture—because all are sinners, do not put an implicit trust in any preacher or teacher. Every one can let you down, and will in some way or other. Make sure that your trust is ultimately in the Lord himself, not merely in his instruments.

One practical evidence that your trust is ultimately in the Lord is that you will pray for his instruments. Do you pray regularly for your pastor? Do you pray habitually that God will use him—even though he is but a jar of clay—to transmit his heavenly treasures?


Click here for background on the author of Are You For Real?: Meditations in the Epistle of James for Secret or Family Worship.

 

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