A Righteous Life

CONTEXT

Summer theme: the Life of Faith.

Stages: Coming to faith (Mark); going deeper in faith (John); Now, Faith results in a transformed life, a righteous life (James).

Letter of James.

James was/is the brother of the Lord. Likely the second born. Listed first (Matt 13:55)

Not one of the original 12 apostles (distinguished from James and John the sons of Zebedee).

Not described as a disciple. Jesus’ brothers did not believe in him during his ministry. (John 7:5)

One of the first witnesses of the resurrected Jesus, I Cor. 15:7.

Became a leader in the early church. Head of the apostles/elders at Jerusalem. Decided Jerusalem Council Acts 15.

Monikers: James of Jerusalem. James the Just. Camel knees (which we calloused from so much kneeling and praying).

The document that comes down to us from James is a “general epistle”, written to all Christians. One of the earliest writings in the NT, composed maybe less than 15 years after Jesus death and resurrection.

Theme, that faith in Christ results in and is shown by a life that puts Christ’s teachings into practice.

We pick up the letter at chapter 1:17.

Text

James 1:17–27 NRSV

Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures. You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing. If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

INTRODUCTION

What does love look like?

At the risk of being stereotypical:

The man holding the bags at the mall while shopping.

The woman watching an action movie.

My dog Brody coming at me with his tail wagging and his whole body waggling.

Parents visiting a child in jail

tears falling at a funeral.

You can see love.

James’ whole letter is exploring the truth that a relationship with God through Christ, is visible.

(I’m going to move us through this passage in reverse order)

Exegesis 1 - God has taken action

That love is visible is rooted in God himself.

That love takes action is a truth that begins with God. God loves the world. Did not just love in word, but loved in action.

James 1:17. Every act of giving, every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.

beauty of nature, human relationships, health, home, clothing.

The greatest is His Son, Jesus.

John 3:16. God so loved the world, that he sent Jesus.

Jesus said, I have come from above. To give life to the world. (Jn 6)

James 1:18 “In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.”

Jesus action of self-sacrifice. Seed planted in soil. First to emerge is the first fruits.

One man was planted in spirit and truth, so that many people could be born in spirit and truth (true and right deeds, truth as action).

God took action toward us. To send Jesus, to plant, to give birth…All potent images.

How potent that James says this as the brother of the Lord.

He grew up with Jesus. Jesus always around. Had blocks up against Jesus, the usual sibling stuff.

But then experienced death of Jesus (grief) and then resurrection (joy), opened to a whole new perception of his brother’s identity.

Was a brother by the flesh, but because of Jesus’ action, became a brother in God’s kingdom.

He gave me birth by the word of truth: the gospel.

Shared his resurrection life with me!

God has generously shown love through action toward us…welcome it with meekness, reverently, it is powerful. (James 1:21)

APPLICATION 1: We Meet Christ

We are all younger siblings to Christ by virtue of being in the church. Baptized. We become a child of God. Jesus is the son of God. We are sons and daughters. So by adoption we are siblings of Christ. Wow!

We can fall into rut of taking church and faith for granted.

But what we proclaim is that God has taken action toward us!

Just as Jesus appeared to James. He appears to us by faith. He wants to share his resurrection with us.

We are meant to act on it. To become first fruits.

To start bearing a family likeness. EG me and my brother.

Siblings to Jesus: not in appearance but in action.

EXEGESIS 2 - Blessed for Integrity

James 1:22: Be doers of the word, not just hearers, who deceive themselves.

The gospel of God’s action toward us invites, requires a response.

The gospel is not just something we hear and believe, it is a new way of life.

Jesus:

John 14:21 “They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me…

John 15:10 “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love…

1 John 5:3 “For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. …

2 John 6 “And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; …

Listening but not doing is self-deception.

James 1:23. An image: like someone who looks in a mirror and then immediately forget what they look like.

I went to a dinner. Took a break. Looked in mirror. A piece of spinach. No one had told me. But the mirror told me.

Did I leave it in there? No, I took it out.

The gospel reveals our faults, our tendency toward selfishness and worldliness and materialism, not to condemn, but to offer the opportunity for change.

James: Hearing the Word and not doing it is like one who sees the spinach in the mirror ( the Word of God always show you), but then forgets all about it, and goes out the same way as before.

Moral and spiritual imperfections, but just leave it in place.

Don’t be like that.

Rather, look into the law of liberty — the gospel that sets you free to deal with sin — with perseverance.

Not always easy, but take the truth and act on it.

Perseveres in it. That person will be blessed in their doing.

Blessed -- favored by God, made effective by God.

Westminister, by a slow and steady war they will gain the victory.

APPLICATION 2 - we choose to put into practice the word of God.

How many of us looked in the mirror this morning? All of us. We exert effort to make ourselves look as good as possible. We comb our hair into place, put on our make-up right, double check our shoes and socks. We make adjustments and improvements. We didn’t roll out of bed and show up.

How about our spiritual selves: Do we use the gospel mirror?

Do we know the areas where we need to work on — patience, peace, generosity, controlling our anger or other emotions, rank sins and sordidness and wickedness.

My current one: driving more slowly. Accepting what I cannot control, slowing down.

The path of gospel integrity is to put beliefs into action.

Practice what you preach is not just advice for preachers!

EXEGESIS 3 - True Religion is visible

What is good religion in the sight of God?

James 1:27. Take care of orphans and widows in distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Widows and orphans symbolize the essence of “other” that cannot repay.

Unstained by the world: materialism.

Essentially an other oriented way of life.

Not buying into the world message: it is all about me. God has put me into this world, not to serve myself, but others.

Matthew 25. Judgment day. Not a theological quiz. Rather an evaluation of actions.

This is religion that is valuable. it is pure and undefiled. Anything else is impure, defiled, worthless.

APPLICATION 3

What we believe is important. But only if it leads to action.

A’Kempis: What good is it if I can explain the Trinity, but by my life I am displeasing to the Trinity.

If you were put on trial as Christian - love others, forgive, be just and hopeful, and merciful — , would there be enough evidence to convict you?

Examples. So when God says, what evidence is there?

elder: really sick. Unsure. Session, bible study, prayer, soup kitchen, donations to mission.

Family Renew, PACE,

I could vouch for Linda and Roy:

Linda, offering me a caring word when I needed it. Holding up the mirror.

Roy and preparing the wood.

Well that is going to be the question at the end of time.

Starting now

CONCLUSION

You can see love. You can see faith.

Starting now

God has taken action toward you.

God’s action invites to response.

Action is to show love and service to others.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

In peace, let us pray to God, saying, God of light, hear our prayer.

For the church of Jesus Christ, God of light, hear our prayer….Bless the church, O God. Deliver us from self-righteousness and make us holy in every way, that all people may see you in the witness of your faithful servants.

For our pastors, teachers, and ministers, God of light, hear our prayer. Bless the leaders of your church, O God, and all who minister in your name. Give them the wisdom to discern your truth, to honor your commandments, and to lead with humility. Let them walk blamelessly, do what is right, and speak truth from their heart.

For the world and for its leaders, God of light, hear our prayer. Bless the nations of the world, O God. Guide the leaders of governments for the sake of peace. Give them sound judgment and merciful hearts and help them be accountable for the common good. Save them from the cynicism of war. Free them from the influence of greed. Deliver them from the temptations of social power.

For the community in which we live, God of light, hear our prayer. Bless our communities, O God. Help us live as friends with our neighbors and do good to one another, that homes may be free of fear and families live in peace.

For children, God of light, hear our prayer. Bless children and those who care for them, O God. Project them from harm; give them what they need to grow in body and mind and provide caring adults to model for them a life of purpose and compassion.

For the sick and those in distress, God of light, hear our prayer. Bless all who are ailing in body, mind, or spirit. Heal them of their disease and restore them to fullness of life.

For those who are judged by others, God of light, hear our prayer. Bless those who face the reproach of society, O God: those in prison, whether innocent or guilty of crimes; those who are ostracized due to mental disease, whether or not they pose a threat to others; those who are homeless, and those who are lost to addiction. Surround them with compassion and save them from hopelessness.

These prayers we offer to you, God of light, through Christ, by the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.