This pilgrimage of ours to the Kingdom of God can be a rich and rewarding experience. Each day a step forward in living the Truth. An extremely valuable assistance in this endeavour is an earnest consideration of the Epistle of James, the theme of which may be aptly stated as, “Be ye doers of the word, not hearers only”.
Never has the Truth been so well served by soundly written Christadelphian literature. Within our own circles, there is tremendous scope for study and meditation upon the Word of God. This is good and we can hope that such opportunities will even be with us.
The student of James’ letter cannot escape the urgent, imperative authority behind the driving theme expressed by the writer. After exhorting the readers to “receive with meekness the engrafted word”, James gives a warning: “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” Our reading of God’s word must bring forth a response, in actions inspired and directed by what we have read. An illustration of this is found in James 1. 23-25, where the person who is only a hearer of the word is likened to a person who looks (or just glances) at himself in a mirror and then goes his way and does not remember what he saw. That which he beheld did not make a strong and lasting impression.
On the other hand, the person who is both a hearer and doer of God’s word, is like a person who looks into, or more correctly stoops to examine intently, the Divine ordinance or prescribed way, and by reason of having taken the time to understand what he sees, does not forget the instruction, but acts accordingly, and continues therein.
In James 2. 15, 16, an instance is given of a brother or sister being in need, and one says to them, “Depart in peace be ye warm and filled”, and yet does not do anything to give effect to the need. Such is an example of having faith without works.
The conclusion of James is, faith without works is dead. It is necessary to have both in order to lead a life which is acceptable to our Father in heaven, or as Jesus elsewhere said, “Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it”.
The writer of the epistle cites Abraham as an example to be followed. Because Abraham believed God, he did what God required. Even when he did not know exactly where he was journeying he continued being full of trust in the One who called him. In the offering up of Isaac we can imagine the serious thought, yes even agony at parting with the son who was everything to him. Should he hold back his son? If he sacrificed him there would be nothing left in life. These thoughts undoubtedly occurred to Abraham, but he was so convinced of God’s love, justice and mercy, and above all that God could also restore Isaac to him, that he did not waver. Could we do such a thing? Would we succeed under similar circumstances? How we quail before such mighty examples!
Our way of life, yes our life itself, as we live it each day is on trial before God, hence among other things, James gives us the following instructions. “Count it all joy when ye fall into temptations” (trials). Why this advice? Because adversity teaches us patience. We have to bridle our impulses. We must think before we act. What we do must be in accordance with the perfect law of liberty. It is in the carrying out of this law or ordinance, or way of life, that we are liberated from our carnal desires!
In the world the rich and powerful oppress the poor. There is a gulf between the two classes of people. Under the law of Christ this must not be so. We are all one. The Truth levels its members. In our ecclesia there are labourers, tradesmen, technicians, as well as business men, managers, and accountants. All types are caught in the gospel net. The brother of low degree is not to look to those who possess greater abundance, and envy them. He should rejoice because God has exalted him in the call to so great salvation. Ecclesial members of abundant means are not to feel that they have been brought below their station, because after all, we are all only as grass, the flower of which falls, and the whole plant withers and dies. Our life is but a vapour which appears for a little while and then vanishes away. The lesson is clear, we are all servants, and it is our service which interests our Maker. We are to receive with meekness the engrafted word. “Blessed are the merciful”, finds its echo in the words of James 2. 13, which reminds us that if we do not show mercy to others, we shall not receive mercy.
The third chapter deals at length with the tongue. “Behold how great a fire a little matter kindleth”. “The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity.” “It is full of deadly poison.” Speech is the vehicle of thought, therefore it is true when we say, “As a man thinketh so is he”. If we control our thoughts, our speech will likewise be controlled and we shall thereby show in good conduct the instruction received from the engrafted word.
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.” Humility is enjoined upon us from both Old and New Testaments, and it is well stated in Micah 6. 8, “Humble thyself to walk with God”. Why not do so? Are we not children in the sight of God? “God resisteth the proud but giveth grace to the humble.” “Submit yourselves therefore to God.” “Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you”, James 4. 7-8. In these two phrases we have a positive injunction, the practise of which will occupy a lifetime.
Our natures are proud and grasping, we desire many things, we are apt to war among ourselves in order to obtain what we want. Hence the advice, “Ye have not because ye ask not”, and “Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts”.
Prayer is one of God’s most wonderful provisions. It is really communion with God. For prayer to be acceptable, we firstly humble ourselves before God. God is exalted. He must be. We must exalt Him in all that we do. In our communion with Him, we offer our praise, and thanksgiving, we petition forgiveness for our transgressions, we seek strength to do His will. We may ask that He will grant us certain things. At this point James says, “Ye ask and receive not because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts” (or fleshly desires). Those things which God may grant to us, we must be prepared to use in His service, for His glory and praise. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” We are to pray for one another, especially for those who are sick, or who suffer in any way.
Those who sin, who stray into error, whether in word or way of life, we must try to convert. By so doing we shall save a soul (person) from death and hide a multitude of sins.
In all that we have considered, it will be seen that a “doing”, a positive response to Divine law is required of us. One step remains. We have considered ourselves in all these things. What of our fellow human beings who are not “in Christ”. Do we ignore them? Do we endeavour to persuade them to God’s service, and do we by our actions, our way of life, try to reflect the things we have learned? Or do we simply read the scripture mechanically, take our place in our meetings and then forget God; forget our responsibility to glorify Him and refrain from actively communicating the “good news” to others?
“God has chosen the weak things of this world to confound the things that are mighty, and things that are despised—and things that are not (at present) to bring to nought the things that are.” Our life is one of action. “Faith without works is dead”, therefore we conclude with James, -Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only”.
Reflections on the Potter and the Clay