James 2.17 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not
have works, is dead.
I think I saw into the little epistle of James differently today. I know in
centuries past Martin Luther really objected to James being included in the
cannon because Luther fought hard against the notion that one could work his
way into God’s favor (a notion that was being taught by the larger Church at
that time.) Luther seemed to think James’ letter advocated that too…
First, I saw that James (the writer) referenced the “Royal
Law” in 2.8. I used to think he was referencing the Mosaic/Levitical Law, but
that’s not the case. Yes, he was writing to a Jewish audience, but he makes a
point of only mentioning, “You shall
love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus said the whole Jewish law hinged on two
things: loving God and loving others as
oneself. That is the Royal Law. Nothing
more. If we keep the Royal Law, what more is there?
Well, our older brother said: works. And here is where I think the light came on for me again
today: the works of which James spoke
weren’t works to impress God but works to prove God. That’s why he made the
statement above: So also faith by itself,
if it does not have works, is dead. Faith in God is shown by love for
others and love for others is shown by selfless acts of love and goodness
toward them. The works of which James
spoke demonstrate, tangibly, a love for God that is show by an actionable love for people.
Now there are those who say, Well, I don’t need to have God (faith) to show goodness and kindness to
others! (V. 18: “You have faith and I have works.”) So, James responds: Show me your faith (your belief in your own goodness) apart from your works,
and I will show you my faith (in God's goodness) by my works. He makes the claim that works
apart from faith is no faith at all. And faith in God is inseparable from works.
Again, the works aren’t to impress God, but to show where God lives: in hearts
of love.
The Royal Law is this: love God by loving people by doing
good to them. This proves God in the heart. My relationship with God ought to
be manifest in my care and concern for others and by actions of goodness toward
them that bear witness of my love and concern.
When you come into the store where I work, I am paid to
treat you well, it’s my job. If I fail to treat you well I better have a dang
good reason for not; but I am still accountable to this: the customer may not always be right, but the customer is always the
customer. The royal law of retail then is treat them consistently better at
your store than they get treated somewhere else so they’ll come back to where
they get treated the better.
God asks that we take it one step further: Prove your love for Me them by putting your
belief in Me into actions of goodness, kindness, and love toward them! That
is faith with works and that is living faith.
Today Lord, may I live love by loving You and may my love
for You be proved in my acts of kindness and goodness done to others. In Your
Name, amen.
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