6th September 2009 (Trinity 13)
James 2:1-17
“Faith without deeds is dead,” says James. “Practise what you preach,” we say. However, it is easier to point the finger than to do it ourselves, and many people take the easy option of refusing to preach anything lest they are expected to practise it.
Christians, however, are expected both to preach and to practise. We are expected to stand for what is right and good, and to speak up about it. But we are also expected to act. I suspect we all approve of what James is saying: Christians should not show favouritism to the rich, nor should we do nothing about the needs of the poor. Yet how easy it is to honour rich or famous or powerful people above ordinary Christians who may have far more faith than they! How easy it is to turn a deaf ear to requests for charity!
St Paul said, “All that matters is faith working through love.” Faith that doesn’t work is not faith at all. But faith that works does so because of what it believes. What beliefs underlie James’ teaching in this passage?
First is a belief in our significance before God. Any true Christian is an important member of the most royal family there is. Wealth or power or stardom cannot bring anything like as much significance. That is God’s point of view, and no other point of view matters. Is it the way we see things?
Next is a belief in the nature of God’s love. He does not merely feel love towards us, he acts – especially in reconciling us to himself through the cross of Christ. His is a generous love, given to all who will receive it regardless of their merit. His family have the same nature – so we who believe in Jesus cannot but be generous to the poor, whether or not they deserve it. That is faith that works. It is a faith that gives as it believes it has received.
Questions:
1) When churches have civic services should VIPs sit at the front?
2) What are you preaching that you still need to put into practice yourself?