James 1:21

"So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls." James 1:21

It is easy to read this verse and concede that "we" have all the work to do here...but we "will" need the Lord's strength... we "will need the Word of God... and we "will" need the Holy Spirit's leading. Yes... for one thing, you and I don't even know all of what is unclean and what all that rampant outgrowth of wickedness is yet.

We just can't take the first half of this verse and run with it. In fact, we can't take only this "one" verse and do anything. Listen closer... lean in and let's quiet our thoughts a moment... James continues, He says, "in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome. Those two words (receive and welcome) are responses to something someone else is doing... Christ. That's right... He, Jesus... "The Word", which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls".

This is so important because you just can't take this Word, alone and work out all that is required to be changed, without a loving relationship with The One Whom Inspired it. That's what is meant by, "implanted and rooted in your hearts."

Let's pick up with James verse 1:22 next time.

I love you.