With our passage for today, we begin a consideration of what James calls, “pure religion.” He is describing those things which will lead the child of God to live out our call to truly be a disciple of Christ, a sincere Christ-follower, whose life can be used of God to really make a difference in this fallen world.
One of the foundational beliefs of Christianity is that there is such a thing as absolute truth. The Christian life is lived as one acknowledges these divine absolutes and adjusts his life accordingly. As we saw last time, it is subjectivity that has contributed to the present chaos of this world (Genesis 2:17).
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel.” - Proverbs 12:15 (NASB)
“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” - Proverbs 16:25 (NIV)
As Christians, we are called to be “salt and light” in this world, living in such a way as to make folks thirsty for something more fulfilling and revealing that Christ is who they need. If we are to do this, then we must order our lives according to the divine absolutes found in God’s Word, for it is through the Word of God that the absolutes of God are given expression. Therefore, if one is to observe what James calls, “pure religion,” he must respond to the Word of God. What all is involved in positively responding to the Word of God?
1. We must accept it - vs. 19-21
The principle laid down in verse 19, is applicable to any relationship when it comes to communication and relational health. Applying this principle will benefit your friendships, your marriage, your work place, you name it. Now, if this is applicable to our human relationships, how much more is it also true of our relationship with God?
In his article, “Let’s Be Honest: Reasons Why We Don’t Read Our Bibles,” Erik Raymond lists 5 reasons we ignore the Word of God:
5) We have a dysfunctional relationship with God - we say we love Him but betray that love by ignoring His love letter to us;
4) We think it’s stale and lifeless - which reveals more of a problem with the heart of the potential reader than it does with the Bible;
3) We are undisciplined - we simply do not live with intentionality when it comes to reading our Bibles;
2) It’s too hard - some people find reading the Bible to be difficult, especially when it comes to understanding the ancient customs and practices mentioned in the Bible, or sometimes the difficulty lies in the version they are reading (which is partly why my preaching features a variety of versions);
1) It makes us uncomfortable - This is the reason no one wants to talk about but everyone needs to grapple with. We love to be
comfortable and the Bible aims to comfort us; but it makes us uncomfortable before it comforts us.
If we engage in honest Bible reading we know that we have been confronted by God and his Word. This punctures our pride and unsettles us. If we aim to preserve comfort and protect honor then we will avoid this like someone who is out of shape avoids the gym.
This is James’ emphasis: just because you feel conviction through the Word of God, don’t, for that reason, avoid it! Instead, be quick to listen to God’s Word, because the truth of God’s Word can transform your life - v. 21 - God’s Word brings life and deliverance. In verse 18 James says the Word of God is the instrument of our being born again; and in verse 21 he says it is also the instrument of our spiritual growth.
There’s an old saying: “God said it; I believe it; and that settles it!” But really, if God said it, that settles it, whether I believe it or not. So the real order is: “God said it; that settles it; so I believe it.”
If we are going to live our the Christian life as we should, practicing “pure religion,” we must accept God’s Word; and . . .
2. We must apply it - vs. 22-27
Hearing God’s Word is not enough. Even studying it is not enough. The Bible is a book to be read and practiced, just as our Lord taught.
“Anyone who hears and obeys these teachings of mine is like a wise person who built a house on solid rock. Rain poured down, rivers flooded, and winds beat against that house. But it did not fall, because it was built on solid rock. Anyone who hears my teachings and doesn’t obey them is like a foolish person who built a house on sand. The rain poured down, the rivers flooded, and the winds blew and beat against that house. Finally, it fell with a crash.” - Matthew 7:24-27 (CEV)
James points out that when it comes to applying the truth of God’s Word, that application will be made in two directions:
1) Inwardly - vs. 22-26
James uses the illustration of a person getting ready to face the day. They get around, and in the process, they look in a mirror. Now,
looking in the mirror might reveal that they need to comb their hair, but if the comb is never applied to their head, looking in the mirror has proved to be an empty activity. That’s the way hearing God’s Word is like for too many believers. They may hear it, but they don’t heed it.
The Word of God exposes all of our sins, weaknesses, and needs. If we are to be doers of the Word and not just hearers, we must do something about the sins the Word reveals to us. To hear the Word of God without heeding it is useless and foolish. But when we hear God’s Word and heed it, we are blessed in what we do. If we do not apply the Word in our deeds, we miss much of God’s blessing.
James gives one primary evidence of proper application of the Word: keeping reign on our tongue (verse 26). Too often we want to use our Bible knowledge in ways other than self application. We prefer to teach our neighbors, even when they don’t wish to be taught. We prefer to correct our fellow-believers, because their understanding of the Word is not identical with ours; or we prefer to point out the sins of others.
There is a proper time for teaching, preaching, and even rebuking, but James tells us that proper application of the Word is first and foremost to ourselves; and proper application of God’s Word will be revealed in how we use our tongue. Again, if we are quick to listen - we’ll be slow to speak; but when we do, what we say will bless others.
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” - Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Indeed, if we are meditating on God’s Word and seeking to apply it to our lives, one of the evidences of that being the case will be that God’s truth will shape our speech.
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” - Joshua 1:8 (ESV)
2) Outwardly - v. 27
James says that a second evidence that one is applying God’s Word is how one who is strong deals with those who are weak. The Bible calls for the strong use their strengths to minister to the needs of the weak.
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless,
and see that they get justice.” - Psalm 31:8-9 (NLT)
“Give your food to the hungry and care for the homeless. Then your light will shine in the dark.” - Isaiah 58:10 (CEV)
What James says here reminds us of the words of our Lord to those who were notorious for hearing, studying, memorizing, teaching, preaching, but never applying God’s word to their lives - the Scribes and Pharisees, who Jesus called hypocrites. He said to them:
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation.” - Matthew 23:14 (NASB)
The hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees would result in condemnation. By contrast, note how James says that the complete application of God’s Word - both privately and publicly, both inwardly and outwardly, results ion our living lives of genuine sincerity that will receive God’s commendation (read verse 27, emphasizing “to look after orphans and widows in their distress AND to keep oneself from being polluted by the world”).
Conclusion: I pose this question to those of you gathered here today. Obviously you do not have an aversion to hearing God’s Word. But do you heed God’s Word?
This is one of the great failings in the American church today. How easy it is for us to intellectualize our faith, rather than to incarnate our faith. How easy it is for us to study our faith than to live out our faith.
How do you measure up to this characteristic of one whose life reflects a “pure religion?” Do you accept God’s Word as absolute truth you must adjust your life to? Are you actively seeking to apply God’s Word to your life inwardly and outwardly?
