Blueprint for Blessing I

Blueprint for Blessing I - James 1:21

by Estelle Nazary

I. Something we need to remove - "Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness..." - includes moral failure, malice, meanness, abundance of evil...

1. It speaks of sin's defilement - cancerous, defiling growth on the soul
A. Unwillingness to listen
B. Spirit of criticism
C. Unrighteous, unjustified anger
Colossians 3:8; Hebrews 12:1; 1 Peter 2:1

2. Sin's depth

3. Sin's damage

4. These must be recognized, regretted and removed.
A. Confess them in God's presence - Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9
B. Conquer them in God's power.

II. Something we need to receive - "in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls." - Something good must take its place - We must open our hearts to allow God's word to enter and accomplish his wonderful work of redemption.

1. What? "receive the word"

2. How? "receive with humility" - Submissive to God and have a teachable spirit. A teachable spirit is without resentment, without anger and is able to face the truth even when the truth hurts and condemns.

3. Where? "the implanted word" - Like the implanting of human organs - implanting God's word saves life in a spiritual sense.

4. Why? "which is able to save your souls"
A. There is the initial possessions - Ephesians 2:8
B. There is the gradual progress - 1 Corinthians 1:18
C. There is the final prospect - Romans 5:9; 1 Peter 2:2; Acts 20:32

Additional notes - Once someone knows Christ, he is a new creation and this change is to show in his life. All his evil must be put aside - God is not pleased with partial obedience.
Get rid of everything that would stop your ears to the true word of God - Man's own sins can make him deaf to God.