Last week, we started a year-long journey chronological study of the New Testament today. Hence the reason we are calling this message series Chronos. It's a word that means “time.” We will be journeying through time back to the start of the early church. We will be doing this by walking through the books of James, Thessalonians, Galatians and Corinthians. We will take a few detours along the way for the major Christian holidays. However, we will be opening up our bibles each week to unpack the scriptures as they were present in the early church.
We start with the book of James because it is the earliest writing determined by present day scholarly dating.
It is the first book or letter written to this new ‘church’ or gathering.
It was written by Jesus to his first half brother, James.
It was written to the messianic Jews who had come to believe Jesus was the Messiah and those first followers who weren't Jewish called Gentiles who had become aware of and believed in Jesus.
It was written to the first bad actors and their practices that were stunting the movement’s growth.
As Dr. W. A. Criswell wrote in his book “Getting Down To Brass Tacks”; “to hear and read what James has to say about the Christian faith is an open door into the light of Heaven.”
It is the most practical New Testament book because of its relevance to the issues of our culture.
For the first few years after Jesus’ ascension to heaven, the “way” as it was called, was considered a breakaway sect. It was a time in which the word that we have today was passed from one person to another through story from those who knew Jesus. The movement grew by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The movement really took off after Steven was killed outside the gate of the old city of Jerusalem, the Christians were scattered (diaspora) throughout the Roman world (Acts 8:1-3). God permitted this test of the Jerusalem church for a purpose. Had there been no diaspora, the Christians would have stayed in Jerusalem and the growth of the church would have been stymied. Instead, in one generation the Gospel spread throughout the known world-all the way to the confines of Rome itself.
For almost 20 years without a comprehensive account of what had taken place. There were no gospels written by Mark, Matthew, Luke or John. It was a messy spirituality powered by the Holy Spirit, personal testimony and strong relationships. It was spirituality marked by an indifference to government and pursuit of a fully committed life to God and his creation.
Each week this year we will be walking through small sections of the scriptures. I’d encourage you to read ahead. Read all six books a few times this year and get ready to mark up your bible. This is going to be a great year!
Let’s pick up where we left off last week with chapter 1, verse 18. But before we do, let me remind you that James has just been emphasizing temptation is part of life and perseverance is possible with the belief of God’s goodness and love for all who call Him Lord.
James now turns our attention to the issue of true religion. The word religion in our context has taken on some bad connotations. “I’m not religious. I’m spiritual.” is an acceptable comment today but in the past religion meant more than consistency or rules. The 1828 Webster's American dictionary defined religion as: “a godliness or real piety of practice, consisting of the performance of all known duties to God and our fellow men, in obedience to divine command, or from love to God.” The word meant to be fully committed. Unfortunately in a society where individuality is prized more than conformity, Western Christianity is often perverted for human gain which in turn creates an even greater longing to see true faith. There is a lot of counterfeit Christianity around. If you are a new believer it can be a little overwhelming. God wants a personal relationship with all of us but not at the expense of His will for all of us. If you are looking for the barometer of the real thing, James is about to help. Let's look at Verse 18
18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.
Some Bible readers believe James held to an understanding of God that was opposite of Paul’s. I’ve even heard people say James promotes the idea a person needs to earn their place in heaven. But nothing could be further from the truth. Before James ever talks about works, he makes sure we know that he believes, as Paul does, our connection to God is in Christ alone. The words in this verse “birth through the word of truth” means our new life begins with our belief in Jesus as our Savior. James doesn’t add anything to the idea. He only suggests the proof is in the outcomes of a person’s life. Using part of PT Barnum quote: “Talk is cheap” but action requires expense and effort.”
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
Authentic living as a Christ follower involves striving to be consistent throughout one’s life. It is also helpful in determining, if those you are in relationship with, are connected to Christ.
Let’s face it, there are plenty of posers in Christianity. They have been around since the time of Jesus. In fact, he speaks to this fact in the greatest of all sermons he preached.
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matt 7:21-23
James’ may have been remembering these words when he focuses on consistency in our lives to determine if God’s redemptive action has cemented itself within us and those around us. When you accept God, your talk and walk changes. It’s noticeable. I love the quote from John Newton former slave owner, Minister and hymn writer which has become a shortened T shirt slogan attributed to a tv personality:
“I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in another world; but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am” ? John Newton
When your heart changes, your words AND actions change leading to kingdom results.
James reveals to us the importance of what we say and how we listen. He drives home the point of not just being but doing. Blessing does not come by simply hearing great biblical truths. It is not the hearing but the doing that produces best results, or the fruit or good into the world. Real piety or godliness requires consistency in our lives. It’s one of the reasons I appreciate getting to know people over time. I have made many mistakes by trusting people too quickly and finding out later they weren’t who they claimed to be. Consistency is time dependent and situation dependent. James continues:
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 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.
Authentic Godliness in one’s life involves showing character (James 1:26-27)
James 1:26 could very easily be interpreted, “If anyone considers himself religious….” Many people consider themselves to be godly or pious today. How can we tell if someone is the real deal? True believers not only know Christ and show consistency, they also show character.
Character is a word to describe the entire mental and moral aspects of a person.
Christian character is different than secular or Muslim or Hindu character because it defined by Jesus. Our Lord ended the greatest sermon ever preached (The Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5, 6 & 7) with a message about the importance of doing what the Word of God says. Jesus reveals that the wise builder is a picture of someone who “hears these words of mine and puts them to practice” (Matthew 7:24).
Therefore, “Christ in us” character is evidenced in three ways:
our conversation (James 1:26).
our concern (James 1:27).
our conduct (James 1:27).
The evil one laughs every time we violate one of these because it creates a credibility crisis between who we claim to be and who we really are. Unfortunately in America it has hit epic proportions. The prosperity gospel movement, the self centered Christians, the public officials pretending to be Christ followers but voting otherwise, or the business people claiming to be altruistic but only when it serves their interests.
How do we overcome this credibility gap? One person at a time. One situation at a time. It begins with us. It begins with each of us asking,
How does this conversation honor Christ?
How would Jesus understand this as a need for justice, compassion, love?
How should I act to further His will now? .
If the questions are to hard to remember, Memorize this scripture from the Old Testament Prophet Micah 6:8:
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
Please hear this. We all make mistakes. We all fall short of the glory of God. However, that doesn’t mean you stop trying or becoming paralyzed in guilt, shame or remorse. It means we continue to try to “humbly accept the Word planted within us” through Jesus actions on our behalf.
