Another Step Into the Deep Waters...

 

So, yesterday I took another step into the unknown regions of my faith and walk with the Lord. There is so much complexity into my backstory, of which only a few people in my life know. I struggled with shame and embarrassment in my faith for many, many years. I believe the source of those feelings are end results of how people have made me feel for choosing to follow Christ. In the past, people who said they loved me the most, mocked me or ridiculed me for my faith, and despite my attitude of "no one tells me what to do"--those words impacted me. They resonated deep within my soul and they hurt me. They limited me and my walk with the Lord. I've lived many of my years "in Christ" with one foot in and one foot out. I was always a "believer" but rarely a follower. I knew "of Christ" but wouldn't pursue Him. I knew the Word and the gospel message--but I wouldn't commit to it. I believed--but I did not trust. 

I've been on a new journey these past 3 years of my life, and recently, I made a decision to continue my path into the unknown regions of my faith. In honor of my gift of teaching--something that did not spur in me until the day I gave my life to the Lord--I chose to share aspects of my gift of teaching more openly with the world. I wrestled with this decision for some time now, afraid, excited, nervous, brave, you name it--I've gone back and forth with a variety of emotions. We are called to live by faith, not by feelings--so I took the plunge. 

See, I've been blessed to teach mathematics for many years. I've been successful, to state it humbly, to help many others with their academic struggles in math. My efforts have blessed families--I've helped people get into college, get out of college, move from elementary school to middle, middle to high school and helped many, many students graduate from high school. I've been complimented for my teaching style for many years. About a decade ago I started reminding people, if and when they complimented me, [that] my teaching is "a gift." That isn't a lie, but it was only partially true. All good gifts come from the Lord, but how we choose to use those gifts is up to us. The more transparent answer is: I have been given a gift of teaching to use to share the gospel message. God honored the gift--as I have helped many people in mathematical struggles--but that is not why He gave me that gift. The Lord blessed me with a gift of teaching to share His message of salvation, redemption and grace. Yesterday, I acted on that gift and calling. 

Yesterday I opted to share the gospel message more openly. Since I am actively working to create the bible studies for the book of James, I thought, I would expand on that message and share it online. You can find that video here. 

Now, there is nothing left to do but pursue the Lord...and bring the loaves and fishes to the table...so that He can do the work. 

The Epistle of James - Chapter 2 - COMMENTARY

There is so much power to be uncovered in this second chapter of the book of James, and so much study can come from unpacking and expanding on this letter.

We open the first half of this chapter in verses 1 through 8 with a challenge to examine ourselves--the heart of who we are--in relation to whom we choose to show partiality, and more so, the condition of our heart to judge others. So many times, we, as Christians, recite the famous words of John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son." You can find that on many poster boards in various sporting events. Unfortunately, we forget the follow-up context to that statement in verse 17 where we are told, "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world." It is easy, because of our human nature, to cast judgment because of sin, but it is imperative that we strive to align ourselves with the gospel, so much so, that we allow the Lord to begin working in us to see others the way He sees them--by the heart, as we are told in 1 Samuel, chapter 16, verse 7. The Lord God does not expose our sin to judge us--but to reveal to us where we are broken--so we can repent and splendor in the grace offered by the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. The example provided by James is one of a multitude of occasions where we can represent our faith by choosing to see people as the Lord God sees them, not by what they seem to have, or by what they seem to be able to provide us in return for showing favoritism.

James leaves us with a reminder in verses 9 through 13, that should we examine our own hearts, and remember that Jesus died on the cross while we were yet sinners (Romans, chapter 5, verse 8). How can we judge others if all sin is equal in the eyes of the Lord? Jesus did not take the cross for variations of sin--but for all sin, and all people--once (Romans 6:10).

In the second half of this chapter in verses 14 through 26, we get a major call to action--pun intended! Here James outlines very clearly and numerous times that our faith should not exist solely in our mind, or in our words--but in our actions or deeds. Faith is comprised of more than just those two elements (thoughts and words) but it is triune--threefold: belief in the mind--by the words of our mouth--and by the actions we take. It is not enough to say we believe in something--if there is no action to justify it. It is not enough to profess to know of, or believe in, the Lord Jesus--without evidence to support that belief. We who are called are chosen, and we all have the same message to share--to believe in our hearts (belief), confess with our mouths (words) and share the gospel message with others (action), making disciples (action) and pursuing the heart of the Lord in prayer (action), reading the word (action), and studying the scriptures (action). Those elements combined are what set us apart from the very demons and principalities that are aware of God's existence (belief) and even reference Him in speech (words). 

I pray you step out the boat and pursue the Lord in uncharted waters--answering His call and acting on faith in the good works He has called you to.

Be a light to the world around you.

Bobby Ozuna

The Epistle of James - Chapter 1 - COMMENTARY

 

I have heard it said many times—the book of James is a blueprint for the Christian walk. One of the simplest, yet most lacking areas of the Christian life is that of discipleship—or, as I like to say—walking along side others in their faith. It is an imperative aspect of living a Christian lifestyle. Jesus didn’t die on the cross so we can be free and delivered from our sins, only to wake up and find ourselves weighted down by tasks lists and to-do’s, or worse, burdened with religious attempts at earning salvation. That is the beauty of grace—unmerited or undeserved favor and love from the Lord. There is nothing you can do to earn your salvation—it is a gift. It is a choice. Choosing to receive the Lord into your heart and choosing again to follow Him is the fundamental principle of being a Christian.

This first chapter of James prepares us to face the inevitable—tests and trials—as part of that learning and development. Tests in academics or in athletics, or the arts, are all purposed to prepare us for the “big game” or “performance.” As Christians, we should embrace these tests and trials as a means of strengthening our trust in the God we serve. What good is a lifejacket if you are not willing to jump in the water to test and see that it will keep you afloat? That is how we should view tests and trials—not as some means to destroy us—but rather, a method to prune us and refine us and strengthen our trust, confidence, and faith in the Lord.

James also reminds us to evaluate the status of our own hearts—so we can see and discern the difference between tests and trials designed to strengthen our faith, and the temptations that result as unfaced sin in our hearts. He shows us that sometimes we fall from the choices we make, and those choices are a direct reflection of a sin struggle we have not dealt with. These types of enticement to sin vary from person to person, as each of us struggles with different aspect of sin. The good news—neither is designed to keep you under shame and guilt, but rather—to give you encouragement in your growth and awareness of where you need to step into the Lord’s grace.

He finishes this chapter with a reminder to be a doer—not just a hearer—of the Word. He challenges us to walk away from traditional man-made religious rules and instead, pursue the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord through His Word, so that you too, can become an encouragement and light to those who are struggling and walk alongside others as you grow in your faith. We should shout for joy in the freedom we experience through Christ and share that good news with others, who will turn to you and ask something like, “Why do I keep facing so many struggles?” or “Why is this happening to me?”

Oh, what an opportunity that is! It is such a blessing to have that chance to share the joy of your own personal growth and development, through the trials, tests and even some of the temptations you have wrestled with along your own path! Your story—or your testimony—is the GREATEST encouragement to others. Daring to be known and vulnerable is part of the freedom that comes with Christ—knowing, you are no longer bound by the burdens of your sins, but free to live out from under the shame and guilt of your past!

Be a light to the world around you.