Fifth Sunday of Easter

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we are going to look at the Epistle lesson today which comes from James, the half-brother of Jesus. For the Scriptures tell us that he did indeed have brothers and Joseph and Mary were blessed with other children. Though there were some that questioned what Jesus was doing, we find that Jesus’ brother James goes on to be the first Bishop at the Church in Jerusalem and tends to the care of the Saints during some difficult times and persecutions.

Now over the years there has been some tension when it comes to Epistle of James, but that only really happens if you forget that James is not Paul. Once you realize that, it becomes very easy to see that James and Paul are talking to two different groups of people, and they are addressing two different situations, which is why Paul speaks as he does to the Gentiles in Romans Galatians and argues against the Judaizers, whereas James is speaking to the people who believe that they can just say they have faith and not have any works, that is to say they don’t bear any fruit of repentance.

But let us look at the text that we have here from the Holy Spirit who inspired James to record these words for our benefit.

Now we come in the middle of a discussion that James has been having encouraging them to remain steadfast under trial and temptation. Now look at what he says here in these first two verses

English Standard Version Chapter 1

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

James considers these folks, beloved brothers, and he would include you in that same group as well, and his desire is that no one who is in the family of God may be deceived about who God is and what God has done. For temptation, which attempts to lure us into evil, is something that comes from God. That is not the case at all, for God does not give to us or tempt us with what is evil. Rather James points out that when anyone faces temptation it does not always come from without, but comes from within ourselves.

In the verses right before this, he says, that no one can say when he is tempted that he is being tempted by God for God 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. James does not want people to be deceived by this. For God our Father gives to us what is good. For he is a gracious and loving Father who provides for his children and has given to us more gifts than we can ever appreciate. In him there is no variation or shadow due to change. James knows this for, God sent His Son, Jesus, who James knew as his brother in the flesh into this world to save us. God did not wish for our death, do not think that He is trying to lead us into lead, God desires our salvation. which is why it then says,

English Standard Version Chapter 1

18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures

God the Father created us and brought us forth, not by anything that we have done, but by the Word of Truth. Christians are created and brought forth by the Word. For Faith comes by hearing and hearing through the Word of Christ. For in the Word you find the Holy Spirit that Jesus speaks about in our Gospel lesson active and saving us. That we are the firstfruits that is a portion that is holy and set apart for God. God claimed us as his own dear possession. Don’t be deceived or lose sight of that, when you hear the Word of God it is good, for it is how God saves us, be it the Word proclaimed, the Word attached to the Water, or Word joined with Bread and Wine, it is the Word that is at the heart of all of these things and has the power to save, for that Word is Christ.

Now that God has made us these first fruits, James wants them to understand that God has also willed that we bear fruits in keeping with repentance, this is affirmed by John the Baptist, it is affirmed by Paul, and Christ, and so what he says should not surprise us that he encourages Christians to do good works.

English Standard Version Chapter 1

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

You will notice here that he says that every person would be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. Though he is writing 2000 years ago, this something that we can acknowledge still today. That we as Christians ought to be quick to listen to hear what is actually being said.

Now is that the way of the world? Not at all, how often do people interrupt each other in our modern day? Instead of patiently listening to what a person has to say, rather you find that people are quick to jump in to a discussion and voice their opinion or their insight, but they were so invested in what they wanted to say, that they stopped listening before the person finished.

That is why they also ought to be slow to speak, we find this in the book of proverbs, Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise. (17:27) We are to be a people who consider things and ponder our response, that we might respond appropriately and that we might speak well.

This is not how the world works, you listen to clamor and the noise that fills everything nowadays, there is always the opportunity for distraction near at hand. It does not encourage us to pause and think about what is right, but rather would have you live by how you feel in the moment, and not by what you think.

He includes in this that we are to be slow to anger. For when we are angry, we don’t pause to think, we don’t listen to what the other person has to say, we jump to say and do whatever gets us what we want right now and what we feel we deserve. This is why He then says that the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Now to the ears of the world that sounds strange, why shouldn’t people be angry when they have cause? Is it wrong to take matters into our own hands? How can the Bible say that man’s anger is wrong but God’s anger is right? That makes us angry! We don’t want people getting away with sin especially when they sin against us and the people or causes we care about.

But what do we pray? Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us? Do you wish for God to treat you as you treat others when they sin against you? Is that what Christ did for you or did Christ suffer for your sins that you might become the righteousness of God. That is why he then says,

English Standard Version Chapter 1

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

For if the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God, then what it does produce is sin, and you dear Christian, you whom James sees as a beloved brother, put away this filthiness and rampant wickedness, and instead receive the word which is able to save your souls. Those words of forgiveness, love and peace that Christ on the cross spoke for you.

For Jesus gave up his life to forgive all your angry words, your angry thoughts, and wash away the bitterness that is found in an unforgiving heart. For Christ did not wish for you to remain under the wrath of God but rather to know God’s peace, and if you have peace with God, if you have been washed clean, why would you hold on to that anger which corrupts your heart. Why let bitterness took root inside of your soul, rather receive the Good gift that God has given to you that Word which is Christ, that your heart might know the peace which surpasses all understanding.

Now my Brothers and Sisters in Christ, the book of James is a challenging book, but he has in mind the salvation of your soul. He goes on to warn us like John the Baptist did that we who have been saved, and brought to life in Christ cannot also make room for sin in our lives. So set aside your anger and your wrath. Instead receive every good and perfect gift that comes down from above, and is found in Jesus Christ our Lord. In His name. Amen.