Fruits of True Religion

"If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained form the world." (James 1:26-27, ESV)

James expressed himself strongly on matters of practical religion, or living out one's faith with deeds of compassion, a genuine character, and unstained living. He warned that a Christian should "bridle his tongue." Later in his letter he has much more to say about the importance of this "small member," the tongue. James wanted his readers and hearers to understand that words can quickly destroy any Christian's witness. The tongue, by what it says, reveals what is in the heart. James, the good Jew, would have known and practiced the precept from Proverbs 4:23: "Keep they heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life." Hypocrisy should have no foothold in the life of a Christian. "Religious observance" is the outward expression of what is in the heart and is revealed in how the Christian talks, how compassionate he is toward others, and how he conducts his life with purity.

In the time of James, especially with persecution of Christians, the widows and orphans suffered greatly. The Christian whose religion is "pure and undefiled" will practice care for the unfortunate ones of society. If a husband died and left children in that society, the widow and orphans were often at the mercy of whoever would step in and give them physical aid, food, shelter and clothing. There was a great need then-which continues to this day-to show genuine compassion and love for these unfortunate. "Visiting" them implied more than a social call. It meant that the situation would be appraised and help would come from the Christian community. Practical love and sympathy would show itself in actions to alleviate suffering.

Practical religion also meant that the Christian would always strive for personal holiness. There should be no cause for a blight upon the character of a Christian. The Christian should be different from the non-Christian by his lifestyle and the purity of his living. It takes more than acting like a Christian on Sunday by being faithful in attendance at church services. Christianity permeates and becomes a guiding principle for speech, compassionate acts, work ethic and Christ-like living.

Prayer: God, grant that we may measure up as a Christian. Who we are and our influence in all areas of life matter to our "true religion and undefiled."

c Ethelene Dyer Jones, Friday, October 15, 2010

Hearing and Doing the Word

"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” James 1:19-25 ESV).

How are you at controlling your anger? James teaches that the Christian should be "quick (alert, motivated) to hear, slow (think it through) before speaking, and very slow (not reactionary) to anger. God is not pleased with our angry outbursts or anger that seethes under the surface of a seemingly calm demeanor. Anger cannot produce the fruit of righteousness. There are things we should cast out of our lives as we would an uncomely garment. Filthiness and wickedness of any kind are anathema to allowing the word of God to have its work in our lives. You, as I, probably memorized James 1:22 as a child: "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." A great difference exists between hearing and knowing the word and actually putting the word into practice-doing it, living by it.

"Receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." (v.21). Can the word save? We must hear and receive the word before accepting the Word. Paul made an important statement that sheds light on this verse. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17, KJV). "The Word is like a seed lying in the heart, which, under favorable conditions, would grow and bear fruit in life." (J.R. Dummelow, ed. A Commentary on the Whole Bible. McMillan, 1958, p. 1034) It is good to remember our own salvation experience. We heard and thought upon the word of God which gave us the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. The Spirit empowered us to understand, and then it came: it may have been in a quiet way like a plant emerging from a planted seed. Others may testify to having a burst of inspiration and insight. Whichever way, God's work was done through the "implanted word" and another soul saved.

James uses a sermon illustration to nail home the truth about the difference of merely hearing the word and living the word. A person looks into a mirror hoping to see his image clearly. But then, shortly afterward the viewer forgets what he saw. This is like the person that hears the word but does not practice it, forgets its percepts. The implication is that if the person had remembered what he looked like in his mirror image, he would have acted upon it-made improvements to his appearance. Likewise, if we sincerely delve into the word of God, we will want to follow its teachings-live them out in our daily lives. The mirror image we receive of God will be reflected in our life, our actions and our deeds. And the end result will be a great blessing from God to us. I can remember my father grafting apple trees on our farm. When the graft of a better apple tree grew into the former one, the tree produced must better fruit. Likewise, if the Word is engrafted (implanted) in our heart, the fruits we produce as a Christian will bless us and others. James gives solid advice here for a growing, developing Christian. Let us pray that we can apply this teaching and experience the blessings God wants to give us.

Ethelene Dyer Jones; Thursday, October 14, 2010

God’s Good and Perfect Gifts

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with who is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of His own will begat He us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures." (James 1:17-18, KJV)

The reason I give the verses in the King James Version is because that is the version I used years ago when I committed the verses to memory. Surely enough, when I consulted my faithful and much-used copy of this version (which Bible was the first birthday giver Grover gave me after we began dating in 1948), there, neatly underlined, were these verses, calling attention to "God from whom all blessings flow," as our "Doxology" so aptly acclaims. What important truths these verses teach us!

God is a God of goodness and generosity. We can always depend upon His goodness. He wants to give us what is best for us. He is unchangeable and can be depended upon. Verse 18 tells us that we ourselves are God's gift. Here is Eugene Peterson's rendering of these verses in The Message Bible: "Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all His creation." We find an exuberant truth in some verses that add light to our being created by the very Word of God as the crown of His creation. Take heed: "You created everything, and it is for Your pleasure that they exist and were created." (Revelation 4:11, NLT) "The Lord takes pleasure in His people." (Psalm 149:41, TEV). "For God has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for His own glory." (Isaiah 61:3, LB) It is such an humbling experience to think that God created each one of us for His pleasure and for our fellowship with Him. Each of us is a good gift for God's fellowship and pleasure (and, I pray, growing and moving toward the day when we will be perfected, glorified).

In my current "ripe, old" age, I spend time recollecting. I can remember so many instances when my husband and I had so little that we often wondered where the next rent, the next college or graduate school tuition, even money for gasoline, electricity and food would come from. We prayed, asking God for specific needs. And through God's goodness, there it was-with some extra earnings, a special gift from the church where he was minister, or a provision we had not known existed. But in each instance, God was behind the gift, motivating people to share through love. And when we came to the point to become parents, we prayed for healthy children, dedicating them to Him while they were still in the womb. Not only was that prayer answered, but now, even to the fourth generation, we see our family members, their lives and service-and that which will come from the great grands, if the Lord tarries His coming until they grow up, a continuation of God's good gifts, His "firstfruits" and "crown of creation."

Let us never take for granted that we can make it on our own. Even the health and abilities we have to earn a living are gifts from God. Of all of God's creation, we are the first fruits. In Numbers 15:21 the Israelites were commanded: "From now on, ofter to the Lord the first part of your grain." And as "first fruits" of the Lord's creation, we are to offer our very best. He has already done this for us: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any many should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, KJV) Our gift back to Him is our very life, surrendered, yielded, lovingly offered, even in a similar manner as He bestows good gifts on us. I am reminded of the tender song we sometimes sing:

"What can I give Him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a Lamb.

If I were a wise man, I would do my part;

Yet what can I give Him? Give Him my heart."

-Christina G. Rossetti (1830-1894)

Praise be to God! In return for His "good and perfect gifts," I give Him my heart, offering it anew every day.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Weighty Matters: Trials and Temptations

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God,' for God cannot be tempted with evil, and He himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers." (James 1:12-16, ESV)

Before James leaves the subject of facing trials he gives another strong lesson on overcoming. Go back and read James 1:3-4. There he did not say "if" but "when" trails come. We are to count it a joy when they come because they strengthen faith and lead to patience and perseverance, as he has already noted. Now he says the person is "blessed"-happy-who remains steadfast and faithful through trials. The reward will be "the crown of life" to those who love God.

Then James moves to temptation, the urge to sin and fall short of God's expectations. He sought with this teaching to counteract the false teaching that God tempts us. Hear the strong "No, no!" from James on this issue. God would never tempt anyone to do evil. Only good comes from God. Any evil starts first with wrong desire in the mind and heart of the person. Notice the strong verbs: "lured and enticed." This indicates an inviting situation that has an exceedingly strong pull-and that is toward evil. Sin lurks as a heady allurement. But this sort of entrapment is far from holy God and His work. He does no evil, causes no evil, entices not to evil. It is far from His nature to do so. Eugene Peterson in The Message Bible translates James 1:12-16 so clearly that I give his version here: "Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life. Don't let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, 'God is trying to trip me up.' God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one's way. The temptation to give in to evil comes form us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer. So, my dear friends, don't get thrown off course." The Christian, then, is to practice vigilance and not be lured and enticed into temptation. The consequence of sin is death. But to him who overcomes, both in saying no to temptation and not succumbing to it, and in bearing whatever trials come, he receives victory: the crown of life. This would have been a type of the victor's wreath, won after an athletic match. Paul called this over-coming "fighting a good fight, finishing the race, keeping the faith" (II Timothy 4:7) And when trials come, The Christian is to bear up under them counting it a blessing to suffer because of the love in his heart for the Lord. Selah!

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Tuesday, October12, 2010

Christian Perspective on Poverty and Riches

"Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with his scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits." (James 1:9-11, ESV)

In reading and studying the epistle of James, we need to remember that James was pastor of the Jerusalem church. His letter is inspired advice from a pastor's heart to "the twelve tribes scattered abroad." James covers many subjects in his epistle, vital areas of the Christian life that need careful attention. According to tradition, James had the befitting nickname, "Camel Knees," which does not sound so good us us. But really it meant that he knelt so long and frequently in prayer for his church that his knees developed calluses. We can be assured that what James wrote in his epistle, on whatever wisdom subject, was preceded by much prayer. And so was his perspective on poverty and riches about which he writes in these verses. We need to remember that the Jewish mind from Old Testament days and even into the Christian era considered well-gotten wealth a favor from God, and that poverty somehow was a result of God's disfavor. James seeks to clarify that long-held belief. In James' sermon illustration here, liking prosperity to the short-lived flower of the grass-or a wild flower that today is and tomorrow perishes-he was remind us that this world's goods are likewise nebulous-today here and tomorrow gone. In this current condition of economic depression, we are seeing how true this illustration is. Job loss and concurrent income loss are leaving many in want. Those who were once self-supporting find themselves losing houses and a higher standard of living. What is wealth, anyway? It is a condition that can change in a flash of time. James urged that we should have the right attitude about possessions. They should not possess us. In commenting on these verses in James, Dummelow's Commentary on the Whole Bible (Macmillan, 1958, p. 1034) states: "Poverty is an instance of those trials which may become joys. The poor man is to exult in his high estate as a Christina; the rich man is to glory in the loss of those riches which are so dangerous and fleeting." And William M. Pinson, Jr., writing comments on the letter of James in "The Disciple's Study Bible (Nashville, Holman, 1988, p. 1591) notes: "People pursue material goods as ends in themselves, but these things have nothing of the eternally permanent about them. Humility is the only attitude proper for the rich."

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Monday, October 11, 2010

Ask God for Wisdom

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does." (James 1:5-8, NIV)

Webster defines wisdom as "the ability to discern inner qualities and relationships; insight; good sense; judgment." It denotes the capacity to understand something and to act upon that understanding. Paul urged: "Look carefully, the, how you walk, not as unwise but as wise" (Ephesians 5:15). The Psalmist declares "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Psalm 111:10) and this declaration is reiterated in Proverbs 1:7. And again in Proverbs 8 wisdom is valued highly. God acted in wisdom in creation and wisdom is a gift He wants to bestow on His creation made in His image: "For wisdom is more precious that rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her." (Proverbs 8:11).

James got right to the point. "If you lack wisdom...ask God...and it will be given." But the asking has requirements: "ask, believing that you will receive." Wisdom is a gift from God as seen in Ephesians 1:17-18. Human wisdom based on our experience is not alone sufficient to meet life's storms. Wisdom provides the necessary discernment to weather the storms. And when we ask God, believing, we will receive the wisdom (discernment and judgment) we need. Wisdom also differs from knowledge. We can gain much knowledge, accumulate it from various fields of learning as we study and seek. Wisdom, on the other hand, helps us do the right thing as we face moral dilemmas and deal with other challenges of life. James further describes God's wisdom in 3:17: "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere" (NIV) God promises the wisdom we need to face the dilemmas and decisions that come our way. How is my praying for wisdom? Do I seek God's guidance in the decisions and affairs of life? Am I troubled and undecided? Simply pray for wisdom, believing. God wants to grant us the gift of wisdom and He stands ready to pour it out on humble hearts that seek discernment. We don't need to be storm-tossed and double-minded in life. God's wisdom can give us instead a solid anchor and a clear mind, one imbued with His wisdom.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Sunday, October 10, 2010

Patience (Perseverance) Under Trials

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:2-4, NKJV)

Eugene Peterson in The Message Bible translates these verses in James in this way: "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way."

James wrote in a day when Christians were enduring (and would endure more) persecution. He wanted his readers (and hearers, if we consider James' letter to also be his sermon) to rejoice in trials and tribulations. IT is hard to smile through severe troubles. Tears are the usual response. But it is different with a Christian. He has a burden-bearer, someone who walks alongside and helps to bear any burdens. When we have trials, they help us develop patience (perseverance). It is a fruit of the Spirit, as we see in Galatians 5:22. The result of our patiently bearing up through trials is our own Christian maturity. We either break or grow through trials. James strongly encourages us to see trials as for our own good, to help us develop patience and endurance and to grow toward completeness, so that our faith lacks nothing. When we consider it, this is a very big order for a Christian. We had rather have smooth sailing through life. But rarely is that the situation. One thing we can be certain of: trials do come to the Christian. It is how we handle them, how our faith reacts, that makes the difference.

When I consider my own life in retrospect, I can think of trying times as periods of growth and development in faith. Trials and troubles send us to our knees, humble us, cause us to cry out to God for help. "Through trail to triumph" could well be the Christian's motto, because if we persevere, we come through stronger and more mature. Paul also gave us excellent advice on handling our trials in I Thessalonians 5:18: "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Do I rejoice in trials? Do I thank God for troubles? Do I see them as blessings that help me to grow into Christian maturity? If I can sincerely answer "Yes" to these questions, I just may be growing into the person God intends for me to be. "Rejoice evermore!" (I Thessalonians 5:16). Let us thank God for and rejoice in trials, for they are for our benefit, helping us to grow into maturity in Christ.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Saturday, October 9, 2010

James and His General Epistle

"James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad, greetings." (James 1:1, NASV)

Turning from Ezekiel, we will pursue for awhile some themes from the general epistle of James. Who was the person who wrote to the "twelve tribes dispersed abroad," exhorting them to live out their Christian profession in a practical way?

Most Bible scholars agree that the author of this terse and practical letter was none other than the half-brother of the Lord Jesus, James, who became pastor of the Jerusalem church. When Jesus taught and ministered before His death, burial and resurrection, his half brothers, including James, did not believe in His claims to be Messiah nor support Him. After Christ's resurrection, James was converted. He was among those in the upper room praying and awaiting the Holy Spirit. He became the leader of the church of Jerusalem. Paul after his conversion, went to Jerusalem seeking out the apostles. Paul states in Galatians 1:19 that he saw "James, the Lord's brother" while there. James is one of the earliest of the New Testament books written, believed to have been composed prior to the Jerusalem Conference when the church decided that Gentile converts would not have to go through the process of Jewish circumcision. The letter, then, could have a composition date as early as 45 A. D. and certainly by 50 A. D. Although addressed to "the twelve dispersed tribes," some translations have James's salutation and address read thus: "From James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. To all of God's people who are scattered everywhere in the world." (NCV). Certainly the letter is for us today as well.

There is no doubt from his salutation that James is completely aligned with the purposes of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. "I am a bondservant" he says. This means he had absolutely surrendered himself to God, to follow him under whatever circumstances. We learn from Christian history that James was martyred about 66 A.D. A high priest, Anaus, brought James before the Sanhedrin and he was condemned to die by stoning. It is said that, like Stephen, he died praying for those who stoned him and for his fellow Jews who were rejecting Jesus. But before his martyrdom, he had penned the words of his epistle which is a manual of practical Christianity similar to the Sermon on the Mount. It instructs in the nature of genuine salvation, warns against false belief and immoral conduct, and encourages Christians to follow God's wisdom and morality. Just prior to severe persecution, the letter was distributed when Christians needed encouragement and sound instruction. And the letter of James is as pertinent and relevant today as in the first century.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Friday, October 8, 2010

Let Patience Have Her Perfect Work

“My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do. Then you will be perfect and complete, and will have everything you need.” --James 1:2-4

I am learning the meaning of patience. This is certainly not my first experience with growing patience. In reviewing my life, I can name many times when patience grew and I learned to live expectantly—yet patiently—awaiting God’s perfect timing for a life lesson, an event, or through specific trials.

Day by day, in the hours of saying “goodbye” to my beloved, and in the night watches when sleep temporarily evades me, I am cultivating patience, the qualities of perseverance, endurance, steadfastness, diligence. I find it interesting that James, writing about 50 A. D. when the church was new, encouraged Christians to pursue patience. The Psalmist (37:7a) implored us to “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.” John, in writing the Revelation, commended the saints at Ephesus for their patience. James, with what I like to call his practical advice to Christians, urged us to be full of joy, a prerequisite of patience. This joyful attitude was one of Paul’s favorite themes as well. When our faith is tested, then patience is a result if we “wait on the Lord”—do not capitulate to despair and self-pity.

“Let patience have her perfect work,” James advises in 1:4. Someone wrote: “Hardship is the birthing room of patience.” And there, walking through whatever hardship or trial comes, is the One who is Perfect Patience Personified, the Lord, who was tempted in all points like as we are, yet was without sin. His patience is infinite, boundless, and available.

Lord, continue to teach me the way of Patience. With Richard Monckton I would sincerely pray this prayer for myself and for the building up of my patience:

“They who have steeped their souls in prayer
Can every anguish calmly bear.” -Amen.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Wednesday, January 20, 2010