“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man. But, every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hat conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:13-15
Today’s Christian daily devotional
It’s two a.m. on an early Saturday morning. On any other day John and his beat partner would have been punched out and on their way home by now.
Instead, they find themselves circling around the upscale suburb of Barrington, squinting to read the address on an expired driver’s license.
“355 Poplar… oh, there it is.” Larry points to a large brick home perched at the end of the block.
The only indication that someone might be home was the glow of the Christmas tree. It was so large and bright that it couldn’t be missed from the bay window.
“Merry Christmas, Mrs.…Walker.” John read the last name off the driver’s license, scratching his head.
He was silently hoping to stall a bit and buy some time. These kind of domestic calls were the worst.
“Better to get this over with as soon as we can.” Larry sighed as he swung open the rusty door of their Chevy Caprice.
John adjusted his belt, tucking the holster of his gun futher back. They both walked in silence as they headed towards the miniature mansion.
Larry pushed the doorbell and waited. After a couple more attempts, the house rustled out of it’s slumber. Lights flickered on in the upstairs windows and with seconds, the heavy front door slowly opened.
“Can I help you?” The woman peeked her head out in confusion.
“Ma’am, do you have a son named Paul?” John’s voice was respectfully low.
“Yes…Is Paul alright?” Her sleepy eyes became alert with panic.
“He’s in the emergency room at St. Alexis hospital. It looks like he’s had an overdose.” Larry stepped forward and handed her Paul’s drivers license.
The boy pictured on that state I.D. looked nothing like the emaciated figure they saw convulsing in the hospital room.
From the look on Mrs. Walker’s face it was plain to see how distraught she was.
It would be crazy to ask her if she hated the drugs that were stripping the life from her precious son. Her love for him was obvious, her body trembled with fear of the unknown.
It would be safe to assume that if God had any love for humanity at all, He would loathe anything that would threaten to destroy man.
James 1:13-15 reminds us that by committing sin, we are actually hastening our own death. This isn’t what God had in mind for any of his creation.
Most people, when they think of God, automatically think of the Ten Commandments. They see a God that loves to shove rules and regulations down the throats of men. Many have interpreted His passionate love for our happiness, wholeness and longevity as some militant power-hungry God.
If Mrs. Walker approved of her son’s drug habit, what would that say about her love?
God loves us so much that He loathes sin. He doesn’t loathe the man that sins, but the sin that destroys the man.
Don’t hate God because He wants what is best for you.
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I have really been looking at things the wrong way. When I read James 1:13-15 with an open heart, I see your Ten Commandments in a whole new light.
Lord, I never saw your laws as loving before. I realize that this is because I had a heart that wanted to rebel and feel good about it.
I am over destroying myself with this way of thinking. The rebellion must stop, and in Jesus name it will today.
Bless me, Lord. I need a new way of thinking. Open my heart to be obedient and receptive to your wisdom.
I am ready to turn away from a life of sorrow to see how far obedience and wisdom will take me.
It’s time for me to shine and what better source of light than you, Lord? Bless me. I’m ready! Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verses: James 1:13-15
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan