Verse twenty-six: Four Words stand out in this verse and must be highlighted: “any,” “among you” and “seems.” It is important that we do not forget that the Apostle James, under the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit, is writing to and about people in the Church of God–the only name by which God’s true church is called and known by Him. All other names by which the various religious factions are known are designed by Satan to remind the world that the organization belongs to him, not the Lord.

By addressing “any” in the church James is stressing that everyone in the church is susceptible to Satan’s lure, that no one is above temptation and sin. Even the most righteous of God’s saints can fail and become separated from Him. For example, in Mark 13:21,22 we are warned by Jesus Christ Himself that in the last days smooth talking, miracle working men will rise up in the church and, through signs, wonders and miracles, will seduce even God’s “elect”–those who, until that time, will have walked with Him in righteousness. Many have been deceived as to the exact meaning of the statement, “… to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.” This has led the religious masses to believe that the uber-religious (themselves) cannot be seduced and deceived by the devil. Not so. Note that the words “it were” are written in italics, meaning that they were not in the original text. The two words were added by the translators in order to change the meaning of the statement. Being Catholic, the translators wanted the reader to believe the “once saved (in this age), always saved” doctrine that most parishioners “know” is “Bible Truth.” In the series titled Hope And Salvation I prove Scripturally that, though the doctrine is indeed true, it applies only to the next life, and that salvation will be awarded only at the time of Christ’s Second Advent, and only to those who qualify for it by obeying His Word. By removing the qualifiers “it were,” the statement tells us that even the most holy among us is susceptible to Satan’s wiles and can, as Paul assures us, become nothing but meaningless words and actions (1 Cor. 13:1-3)–useless to the Lord and rejected by Him. Notice that Paul said he could perform mighty miracles, preach mighty sermons and willingly sacrifice his life for the cause of Christ and still be an outcast–reprobate, worthless. Recall what Jesus told the rich ruler who had asked Him what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. The Lord, upon hearing this, then told him that he lacked only “one thing,” that one sin stood between him and salvation. The man who had everything in this life went away sad, knowing that his one sin would cost him the next life. No doubt this man was in the Temple every Sabbath. No doubt he was a faithful contributer to God’s work. Because he had obeyed all ten of God’s commandments he was no doubt highly esteemed by the religious hierarchy. But he had a (one) problem that disqualified him from spending eternity with Christ in the Father’s kingdom.

Another qualifying word is “seems.” Verse 26 is addressed to those who “seem” to be religious. In Proverbs 14:12 God warns that there is a way that “seems” to be right, but that man’s way leads to death. Notice that the man is certain that his religious way is the right way even though it is the way of Satan–the way of death. Because he believes the “smooth things, lies and deceits” told him by church leaders, this man “knows” that he has gone through the strait gate and is walking the narrow way that leads to eternal life. No amount of Bible proof will convince him that he walking straight into the Lake of Fire. He is among the “many” who, because of Bible ignorance, believe only what they are being told each Satan’s Sabbath–Sunday–the day the heathen worship the sun god. The vast majority (99.99%) of church people fall into this category (Mat. 7:13,14). Both Catholics and Protestants, regardless of the denomination, faith, sect, cult, etc. they are a part of, “know” that they have been saved and born again, and are treading spiritual water waiting for the rapture or death at which time they will be whisked up to heaven where their mansion awaits. Their way “seems” right to them. God uses the Word “seems” to show them that what they believe is a Satanic lie designed to keep them from studying His Word and learning His Truth, which is the exact opposite of what they “know” to be true. These are they who, when confronted with Bible Truth, respond with such defenses as: “Well, that’s just not what I have always been told,” or “That’s not what my church (usually denomination) teaches.” In other words, man’s word trumps God’s Word. And how do they “know” they can get away with calling God a liar? THEY HAVE ALL BEEN “SAVED” BY HIM.   Verse twenty-six to be continued. L.J.