Dear Diary,
The Life Changing Gospel According to James, (James 1:19-2:13)
#See_Yourself_in_the_Mirror_of_the_Word_of_God,
This passage appears
like an isolated exhortation from the preceding verses but upon careful
consideration there is a significant link. The preceding verse emphasized that
God is not the source and author of temptation; instead, He has given us a new
birth which comes through the WORD, v.18. The following verse 19-21 emphasizes
listening to and receiving the word and verses 22-25 reinforces the doing while
verses 26-2:13 are about application of the word into some specific areas of
our lives.
Clear the way
for the reception of God’s saving Word, James 1:19-21
-
James calls our attention to the reception
of God’s word of truth, v. 19-21:
o
Firstly, quick to Listen- a reception of
God’s word demands for a readiness to listen, v. 19b.
o
Secondly, restrain speech, v. 19c.
Certainly, a continual talker cannot hear cannot when God speaks to him.
o
Thirdly, restrain anger, v. 19d. If you
are angry, your mind is closed to God’s truth and it cannot produce the
righteous life that God wants, v.20.
o
Fourthly, rid yourself of all moral
filth, v.21a. As you prepare to receive God’s word, you must rid yourself of
all moral filth and the prevalent evil.
o
Fifthly, with humility receive the word
of God planted in you, v.21a.
Wed Listening with
Doing, v. 22-25
-
It’s of paramount importance to know
that the Word of God is characterized by freedom and perfection, v. 25. The
reason for being blessed is fourfold: first, he looks into God’s truth
intently; secondly, he consistently continues to look into God’s word; thirdly,
he does not forget what he has heard/read from God’s word; fourthly, he puts
what he has read/heard into practice.
-
The author calls us not to merely
congratulate ourselves for listening to and/or reading the word. Do not be
duped that it is all that is needed to obtain favour with God. Hearing/reading
must be mingled with doing.
-
Why should listening/reading be mingled
with doing? V. 23-25. Here is an illustration of a man who looks himself in the
mirror, studies his face and becomes thoroughly familiar with all his features,
v. 23. Upon going away from the mirror, this man immediately forgets what he
looks like, “out of sight out of mind,” v. 24. It is preposterous to carefully
scrutinize yourself in the mirror then the next minute you forget how you look
like. Likewise, the man who listens/reads carefully the word of truth and
forgets to put it into practice is ludicrous. The essence of reading/listening
to God’s word is to act upon it. In fact, the person who listens and practices
the word is blessed in all what He does, v. 25.
Application of
God’s Word in Specific areas of life, v. 26-2:13
-
It is not enough to listen/read God’s
word, v. 22-25; it’s not sufficient to engage in religious activities, v. 26. A
person who has been regenerated by God’s truth must put the spiritual truth
into practice:
o
First, in your speech; a person with unrestrained
tongue is self-deceived and his religion is worthless because it does not make
a difference in the way he lives, v. 26.
o
Second, in your expression of love for
others-caring for the orphans and widows, v. 27a.
o
Third, in holiness. A person who has
been regenerated by the word of truth must keep himself from being polluted by
the world, v. 27b.
o
Fourth, stop showing favouritism or
discrimination on the basis of social status. It violates the standard of God’s
truth, Ch. 2:1-13. Christ who is our glorious Lord broke down walls of
discrimination. No basis for showing favouritism is justified, v. 2-4.
§ Arguments
against practice of showing favouritism: first, social snobbishness of the
world is short-sighted and superficial, v.5. God does not choose the poor on
merit of their inherent poverty and secondly, God chooses those who have
nothing in themselves so that none of them may boast before Him.
§ The
supreme law that governs human relationships is, “Love your neighbour as
yourself,” and by practicing it you do right, v.8. Indeed, love overlooks
superficial distinctions such as wealth and quality of clothing and shows
kindness to all in spite of a person’s social status.
§ Scriptures
strongly condemn discrimination as sin, v. 9-10. To show favouritism does not
agree with God’s heart, v.11.
o
Fifth, speak and act in the light of the
fact that you will be judged. The recipient of mercy should likewise be
merciful, v. 12-13. Mercy must be a mark of a regenerated person.
In conclusion, a
person who has been regenerated by God’s truth must restrain his speech, show
love to others, be holy; He must not show discrimination and judge others
mercilessly.
Yours faithful
scribbler,
NzakuNashipae
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