Now to James. As
mentioned before, Luther dismissed his position because it counters Paul’s “not
by works, but grace”, with his seemingly contradictory, “faith without works
is dead”.
I have researched the life
of James and can tell you he got a bad rap, not just from Luther, but from many
other theologians.
So let’s restore some perspective.
James did not believe
in Jesus lightly. He evidently kept his distance and refused to be taken in by
his association with his brother. He took his own time to form a personal opinion, but
when he did he became an immovable rock.
That speaks to me of a
pragmatic, balanced, sound mind, not a spiritually high-minded one. Jesus saw
him first after He rose, suggesting that James was, by then, up to it.
Whatever, James is
firmly in the faith from then on. However, despite the euphoria of the new
dispensation, he again showed his astuteness by choosing not to travel or
follow the trends popularized by Paul or Peter.
He was his own man and knew his
own limitations, his calling, where he could be of value and where he would
hinder. What a lesson in self-control.
He settled into the Jerusalem
church, which was likely to be a community of smaller churches or meetings in
homes and in Solomon's colonnade. He remained the “bishop” of Jerusalem until he was murdered in AD70, in a politically expedience act of the ruling high priest.
We must conclude that was as an enemy of Jewry, he was not afraid to speak his mind or be controversial. Don’t confuse his balance with conservatism or fearfulness.
During his productive
life, the apostles, giants as they were, all deferred to James. He was a rock,
a touchstone of reason for the early church. My view is that James sent Paul to
cool down in Tarsus, after which Luke wryly observed that the church “knew
peace for a while”.
It was certainly James
who chaired the conference on circumcision. As a true chair, he said nothing. He only allowed the debate to run. Then, he
raised his hand, silenced every man and summed up.
His summation was
masterful, balanced, pragmatic and sustainable. It was pivotal too, for on that
decision rested the future direction of the church. His letter to all the churches
was well received, resulting in a surge of new life and authority.
That is the context of
a man who then writes, “faith without works is dead”. He knew how to apply his
faith pragmatically. He knew all about balance. Thus, the Jerusalem
church ensured a center, a touchstone and a cornerstone for the early church.
James taught on many things.
He would not allow people to be treated unequally.
To him, what has status
out there in the streets, has no special status in the sanctum of the church. To him, church was an equalizer. With so much racial rhetoric in my culture, James inspired my own family to never see anyone through tainted eyes, to treat all people with
equity and to repent of past influences.
He insisted on practical works. To him visiting the widows and the fatherless
was minimal. I feel we must also find ways to cultivate
economic solutions, to share our commonwealth and to mutually ensure our common
salvation.
But the church is
clueless about such things, inevitably worrying more about turf management than
the prosperity of the kingdom. We would rather make all the right sounds in our services, say bless you and then send every soul on their miserable way.
No I am not saying we can solve everything or should be expected to do so, but being unable to make a practical difference in the realities that people face, makes our faith a bit theoretical.
Worse we confuse
social charity with Paul's higher calling regarding the “poor among us”. We need to help each other because this faith does not just have a
heavenly or eternal perspective. It should also make a difference down here.
What use is it if we run off and help strangers, but forget the people that God has entrusted to us within our own community? We must get real and restore the balance or risk being irrelevant.
He was sensible about trials. To him life is hard. That is realistic. He
dis not pontificate on ways to avoid that, but adjusted expectations and
helped to ensure that we work it out together.
He saw trials as a vital part of
perfecting us both as individuals and as communities. As such, he was happy to not
fight it, but to harness the refining power thereof.
He hated wavering or double mindedness. If around now, he would get quite uppity with
souls who say father at the end of every sentence like some formula or mantra, or who use language like “if it is your will”. Find out His will, pray into
that with boldness and you will find answers.
He insisted on praying
in faith, expecting God to hear and answer, and he urged us to be single minded
in the way that we approach God on the issues we face.
He was a practitioner. He had no time for people whose professed faith couldn’t translate into practical
change.
God cannot raise your
families, love your spouse or discipline your kids, so don’t outsource that to Him. He cannot
take you to church. He cannot pray for you – but made a way for you to pray.
He cannot make this faith work for you – get involved. He cannot bless your
finances if you won’t manage them. He cannot sort out relationships if you won’t
engage. If your faith is real, be real.
Conclusion
There is so much more …
that was all from James 1. Read, understand the context and learn how, by being
practical in your faith, you will build a tabernacle or altar for you, your
family and your community, that God yearns to inhabit. That is how He works.
(c) Peter Missing: bethelstone@gmail.com
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