September 21, 2020

Speaking of James – the Book of James has been much maligned by theologians for centuries. Its focus on actions that match one’s words was considered problematic for the “saved by grace alone” crowd, and was too often ignored. They could not be more wrong – for me, James is central to all I do and believe as a follower of Jesus. It isn’t that I agree with everything in it – the writer’s statement in the first chapter that doubters are “double-minded and unstable” is ridiculous. Every person I have known who claimed to have no doubts about God has ended up crashing and burning when life became hard. There are a number of gems, though, that should guide us in how we see Jesus and live out our faith.

I won’t recount the whole first chapter, but I will say this: if Christians would read James, much of the misinterpretation that goes on about the New Testament might subside. For example, in verse 12 through 16 of chapter 1, the writer (who many scholars believe to be Jesus’ younger brother – yes – Jesus had siblings) makes it very clear that God does not tempt us or bring evil into our lives. His focus on free-will tells us that we are the ones who allow temptation to lead us to sin. Personal responsibility for one’s actions is paramount for James – you can’t say it is part of God’s plan when bad things happen, and you can’t say the Devil made you do it. You and I have agency – we don’t control everything that happens to us, but we can control what we ourselves do.

Towards the end of the chapter, James also mentions a topic that he will focus on more in the next chapter – that faith without works is dead. We are to be doers of God’s work and word, not just hearers. It seems that already, by the middle of the 1st century, CINO’s were appearing in the church. Christians In Name Only – the ones most of us cluck our tongues at when we want to feel good about our own good deeds (that was sarcasm). Yes – piety can be a form of pride and judgment, and we need to be careful of it. However, it is important to note the James was already seeing the Sunday Christians who lived the rest of the week with bad intent. He mentions the wealthy, who are so enamored by their quest for power that they end up withering away under the heat of the sun. They are too busy making money to worry about people in need. James was seeing what we and every generation before us have seen – lots of people say they have faith, but when it comes to living it, they are often absent.

The problem with works, of course, is that they can become so central to one’s faith that they become an obligation – a form of drudgery that can lead to bitterness and – again – judgment. Balance is always important – in every aspect of life, the middle road usually is the best route. I learned that in my Buddhism classes in college – the Buddha tried the extremes of overdoing and not doing. He ate, drank, and was merry – and then he starved himself. Neither extreme brought happiness, and neither extreme helped anyone. We can live well and do good at the same time. We don’t have to take a vow of poverty to help the poor and challenge systemic greed. We are seeing the loss of balance everywhere, and that should remind us of this truth.

If you say you have faith, but do not do works, your faith is dead (that’s James’ writing, not me). What about you? Are you being spiritual AND religious (this is really what I think James means)? Just being spiritual – praying, smiling, reading about how good you are – accomplishes nothing if it isn’t coupled with living out what we believe by helping others. I invite you to look at your life – I am looking at mine – and consider if you are in balance. It doesn’t take much, and it can change the world.

Prayer – We come to You first, holy and inspiring God, learning about what You have done and how much You love us. Then, we are to go to others and show them what we have learned in how we live. Give us both gifts, we ask. Amen.

Today’s art is “Evolving Angel” by Glenn Tucker.