i've been reading James (in the bible) lately. i'm finding parts of it very challenging. right now i am struggling with understanding the role of right actions in relationship with faith and grace. paul says that we are saved by grace through faith...not of works so we can't brag about what we've done. james says we are saved by works, not through faith alone.
now i know the textbook answers, but i am struggling with how this really applies into my everyday life. paul emphasizes the importance of grace, of choosing to trust God completely and live a life of freedom from law - from having to measure up to a standard - because we never can. but james says that our acceptance of this grace is false and lifeless unless it transforms our life to the point of active relevance in the world and communities around us.
for so long i have measured my spiritual health by what i have done. have i had my devotions regularly, have i prayed lately, have i listened to the sermons or worshipped or memorized scripture...and on and on it goes. i am learning and experiencing a blessed, confusing freedom in realizing that my relationship with God is bigger than any of those things. if my relationship with God is genuine, then the everything i do ought to lead me toward God, not just the 'spiritual disciplines.'
so is james talking about these kinds of "spiritual activities" or is he talking about relationship with God being fleshed out in everyday life? helping the person who needs food, comforting the person who is hurting. i think that too often i think of my faith as something of a hermit nature - meaning that it is independent of those around me. the more i read james, however, the more i am challenged to realize that real faith is fleshed out in my actions toward the people in my family, community, country, and world.
"religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." james 1:27
12.09.2004
works and faith
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
James can be a frustrating book, B. Reading him sometimes undermines everything we read in the books surrounding it. Why do you think Martin Luther wanted it out of the biblical canon? What we have to realize is that James is NOT saying salvation comes through works. He says faith without works is useless because our faith in and love for God move us to good works. In other words he's saying, "Show me a Christian with no good works and I'll show you someone whose faith is still weak and whose interests are solely in themselves." The verse you quoted, that God accepts relgion of activism, simply echoes OT thoughts that real faith leads us to godly living. If we are really saved, really crucified with Christ and risen to new life through His Resurrection, then He's living our lives. His gracious works flow through us. Without such evidence, it's likely that the accompanying faith is not taken seriously.
Post a Comment