TALK IS CHEAP - Chapter 1 of the Book of James

 

 

 

TALK IS CHEAP

 

I love the book of James in the New Testament. Here’s why. James is a book of “action” and James doesn’t mince his words either he cuts right the chase with statements like “faith without works is dead.” , “Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.”,  “wash your hands you sinners.”, “you adulterous people...”.  Key words throughout this book are Resist, Submit, Joy, trials, sin, sinner and  or themes such as befriending the world means you’ve become an enemy to God. The language is strong and in your face. It actually reminds me a lot of Jesus which doesn’t surprise me given that most theologians and scholars attribute this book to the literal, earthly half-brother of Jesus Christ himself. Can you imagine what it must have been like to grow up with Jesus as your brother or having someone like that linked to your family. “Oh, James you’re the half-bro to that desert preacher Jesus...”.

 

James essentially says “talk is cheap...get to work. I want to see results.” He’s like my fitness instructor. It’s interesting as well that he starts out the letter by NOT pulling rank. He could have been like “Hey, it’s James, brother of Jesus, I’ve known him a really long time. I knew him long before you did...” but he doesn’t. He refers to him as LORD. Something to think about.

 

I just started reading the book of James again and it’s clearly about encouraging Christians to basically get to it and start acting like Christians and live a life that shows the world and proves to the world that the Good News of Christ is the real deal. That the Gospel does in fact change everything and if you are a true believer then the gospel is at work. Some view James's writing as a contradiction to Paul's teaching of justification by faith alone. The great Martin Luther even called it “The Epistle of Straw” feeling the book was indicating that you could only be saved by works when Paul clearly teaches the opposite. Most today will agree that really is no “issue” with Paul and James. Paul and James (having worked together) essentially stressed different portions of the same gospel.

 

Here are a few things that have encouraged me this week as I read and studied the first Chapter asking only three things as I read it. What does this chapter say about the GOD, The world and me?

 

• True faith takes ACTION with practical godliness when one is being tested (1:2-27).
• Faith again takes action by responding to testing with joy (1:2-4).
• You must ask God for wisdom in times of testing (1:5-8).
• True Believers must adopt God’s eternal perspective when confronted with poverty and riches (1:9-11).
• Someone with true Faith will persevere under testing and NOT blaming God for temptations (1:12-18).

I think it's interesting that James ends the first chapter by talking about Religion and what "true" religion is. He didn't talk about when to show up or how often to show up, he didn't break out into a discussion about the kind of worship music you should sing or not sing. He didn't talk about numbers or how many things a church should do. Nope, he said true religion basically is a reaction to true faith. It's taking action and striving to act out of our faith.

 

So as always folks, Have Faith, Live Free and Live Fearlessly. Enough chit chat...get to some living.