The Book of James – The Tongue James 3:1-6

Introduction

We are switching gears in this post. James finished his thought on faith and now covers a subject that has separated friends, ruined marriages, destroyed lives and even led nations into war.

The Tongue

James begins with a discourse on the potential destruction our words can inflict upon our fellow man.  You may already have someone in mind that “really needs to hear this”.  In truth we all need to hear it.  I listened to a speech given by a Supreme Court Justice.  In that speech I heard three words that really stuck with me…words have meaning.  I really took this to heart.  He is right, words do have meaning.  Most conflicts start with careless words spoken in haste or in anger.

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“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” – Paul the apostle

A Servant’s Heart

Philippians 2:13-18 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.   Do all things without murmurings and disputings:  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;  Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.  Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.   For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.

Paul often referred to himself in introduction to a church as doulos theos or doulos Christos which is to say slave or bond-servant of Christ.  Paul had a servant’s heart.  His desire was for the local assembly and the individual in Christ to serve Christ with their whole heart not because of commandment but out of love for the savior.  Paul didn’t mind sacrificing of himself for the cause of Christ, in fact, it brought him great joy to know that his sacrifice of time, effort, and ultimately his own life would increase the faith of others and bring glory to Jesus Christ.  Paul esteemed his brethren in Christ more than himself… “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Philippians 2:3

This is the very essence of a servant’s heart.  Christ Himself told His followers that He came not to be ministered unto but to minister.  Here at Servants’ Journal we desire to possess that servant’s heart and to encourage fellow servants in the same.  In keeping with our new theme and focus to possess a servant’s heart, I thought it fitting to post a memorial to some heroes of the faith from the last century whose sacrifice help renew a fire for missions in our country.