A servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. (James 1:1)
Expanded Passage: James 1:1; 2:1
We have all had moments when we have been wrong. No one likes to admit it, but deep transformation and growth can come from admitting that you are wrong and then shifting your attitude towards what is right and true. In those moments in life, there is a great deal of conflicting emotions and internal wrestling. Humility breaks down the pride we have built up around ourselves and creates space for God to work within us.
Could you imagine the inner turmoil James must have felt? Earlier, his unbelief led him to mock his brother. Then, he shifted into deep humility because he saw, believed, and surrendered himself as a “servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” The transformation that James went through was a result of his new faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus, his earthly brother. James didn’t keep this to himself either; he urged others to follow in his footsteps.
Unique transformation happens when our faith moves us to believe. When we believe, the transforming work of the Holy Spirit opens our eyes, softens our hearts, and shifts our perspective to the things that we did not see before. Faith is a gift, one we can’t earn by who we are, what we do, or who we know.
Surrender yourself, in humility, before God.
Maggie Slusher serves student-athletes at Wayne State University (MI). She is passionate about doing life together as a community and walking towards Jesus every step of the way.
© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
