30th August 2009 (Trinity 12)
James 1:17-27
For the next few weeks our readings include selections from the letter of James. We don’t know which James wrote the letter; but early tradition tells us it was James the Lord’s brother. The letter seems to be directed towards Christians who were sure of their faith, but who needed to be challenged in various matters. It is not always comfortable reading!
Verse 18 shows James’ underlying concern. God has chosen ‘to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created’ – the first ripe fruit to be harvested, a taste of all the harvest to come. The harvest he is talking about is the new creation, the kingdom of God in all its fulness, and we would expect the firstfruits of that harvest to show what the new creation will be like. The firstfruits may not be ready just yet, but it will be growing – and that is what this letter is designed to help.
James is particularly concerned about how our faith is put into practice. He knows that God is not interested just in words or religious activity. New creation fruit has to be good on both the inside and the outside! The word of truth gave us new birth into the new creation, but it does not stop its work there; it gives us growth, changing us from within, so that we become more and more what God wants us to be – people with ‘the righteousness that God desires’ (v 20). But it does not work automatically. It needs our co-operation. We need to listen carefully to the word and then act on it.
James has a lot to say about how we use our tongues. He will say more in chapter three, but at this point he draws attention to the need to watch our words. He echoes the wisdom of the Old Testament: ‘Where words are many, sin is not absent, but the wise hold their tongues’ (Proverbs 10:19). Even religious talk can be empty, and can be a substitute for action. The kind of religion God is looking for is good on the outside and the inside, with good deeds and a pure heart. As followers of Jesus we are to do all the good we can, especially to those least able to help themselves. We are also to strive to be as Christ-like in character as possible.
Jesus’ quotation from Isaiah goes to the heart of religion. God wants people who worship in spirit and in truth, who love him from the heart and seek to do his will. Traditions without heart worship are worthless. God is not interested in whether we do this or that ritual. He is interested in what’s going on inside us, which sooner or later will show in our actions. By our fruit will we be known.
Questions:
1) How true is it of worship that the more we put in the more we get out?
2) Which of our traditions and rituals hinder our worship, and which help?