Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. James 1:14-15
A few months ago, I flew to Georgia to visit my family. As I boarded, the pilot made an announcement, "This plane is headed to Atlanta, Georgia. If you intend to go somewhere else, you are on the wrong plane." We all, of course, laughed, knowing that the likelihood that someone made it on the wrong plane was slim-to-none. The pilot, however, was correct. He was telling the truth. That airplane had one destination: Atlanta, Georgia. It led nowhere else but Atlanta, Georgia.
The same is true when it comes to sin. The Bible makes it clear that there is one destination that sin takes us: death. The good news is that Jesus took on that punishment so that you didn't have to pay it.
In the book of James, James writes about the destruction that sin causes. In James 1:15, he wastes no words saying that sin ultimately "gives birth to death." There is no other destination. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. If that was the end of the story, our story would be bleak and hopeless. Because of Jesus, however, there is more to the story than being trapped and stuck in our sin. James continues his thought in verses 16 and 17: "So don't be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down from God our Father who created all the lights in the heavens" (James 1:16-17a). This verse should be a reminder of the best gift from God that we could ever receive: salvation through Jesus' death and resurrection on the cross. You see, Romans 6:23 teaches us that sin leads directly to death, "but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." When we were on the path leading directly to death, Jesus came and offered the opportunity to re-route us. Jesus came, lived a perfect life, died on the cross for the sins of the world, and was raised from the dead three days later, conquering sin and death. When we place our faith in Him, He places us on a path that leads to eternal life with Him. This is the gift of hope that we have when we place our faith in Him.
When you consider your life, what path are you on? Have you placed your faith in Him? Are you living a life in a way that honors Him, or has sin crept its way back in your life? No, that sin does not lead to death anymore if you have placed your faith in Him, but it breaks His heart to see you living in direct disobedience to Him. Now is the time to turn away from that sin. If you have not placed your faith in Him, are you ready to? If you are ready, go to Him, pray and admit your sin to Him, tell Him that you believe in Him and Jesus' death and resurrection, and commit to following Him for the rest of your life.
In your journal or notes, write down a list of the sins you are currently struggling with. Though it may be difficult, be honest with God and yourself. After all, He already knows your sin struggles so this will not be a surprise to Him. After you have made the list, admit that sin to God. Tell Him you are sorry. Then, beside each sin listed, write the words, "Paid for by Jesus." He paid the price owed for your sin: death so that you did not have to pay it. Thank Him for what He has done for you!
This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad.
Greetings!
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.
God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
