Treat 'em like a tax collector! (James 5:19-20)

Our last day in James, until HE brings us back. It's going to be fun to do more as we continue into the next places that GOD has for us to learn together. From Romans, to Matthew, to here and far more to come!

Treating them like a tax collector was how JESUS puts in Matthew 18. The chapter is beautiful; how it, this, Matthew 6:14, Psalms 139, and so many other places to sing out that HE wants to be in intimate relationship with us. How beautiful and how wonderful. That we get to forgive how much more so.

When we fail to forgive as we are forgiven, we prove one of two things: Either we didn't fully understand how much we are forgiven, at which point, from go, how broken we are, how broken the world is (and will be) how much we need HIM. Or we go from knowing to not caring, at which point, is it rejection of HIM, or going to a cold of heart place that is already as chilled as the grave?
When we know, fully understand, (something I don't know any of us will even get to, but learning is a beautiful and wonderful thing) that we are forgiven much, then we forgive much, because it's more important to show that we belong to THE KING than anything else. We are to make disciples aren't we? How do we do this? Let our lives be always speaking and when necessary, use words. That we live a life like we believe, and suddenly we're back to James 1. A full circle of learning to lay us down, pick up our cross, and follow HIM. That our deeds be born of fruit; the root being salvation. (Works for the shoes in the armour too, cause what do you stand on but your feet?)

It's lovely isn't it?