TGIF
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”
(James 1:19–27 ESV)
I was teaching on this passage last week and it brought to mind the old country song “I Never Go Around Mirrors”… a mournful dirge about a man who doesn’t want to see what’s become of himself after a failed relationship.
Right now I feel the same way about myself and my relationship with much of the visible church….and much of the visible church should feel that way about their relationship with Christ.
In simple country music terms, the passage is saying that the Word of God is like a mirror that reveals who we are and if we are following Christ it brings correction to us.
The mirror of the word shows us clearly…there is no place to examine those outside its reflection.
You’re looking at yourself…at least you’re supposed to be.
It tells us to be cautious with our words…I take this to mean all our words…about everything…and everybody.
We are to be very judicious about anger, because those constant rages do not produce righteousness…in ourselves or others.
It tells us to ignore these admonitions and remain angry and at war with the world and others is a sign we have deceived ourselves about our faith.
Our religion is “worthless”
Worthwhile religion seems to be quiet and busy with acts of mercy.
We’re told in other places in Scripture that we are to be zealous for the holiness and sanctity of both the church and ourselves…before we ever turn that mirror into a telescope.
When that converted mirror shows us all our enemies it tells us that our job is to love them and tell them the good news that God doesn’t want to be their enemy.
We only change the culture when we allow Jesus to transform us.
I’ve looked in mirror for a long time now…and have often been repulsed at what it showed about me.
Refusing to walk away to point out the flaws of others without a mirror at all has brought slow and often painful transformation.
I continue to stare at it…and by the grace of God the transformation will continue.
For over two decades I’ve invited the Christian reader to join me …we need to be transformed if we are to fulfill our calling.
The takers are few these days.
Anger and and words that express it fully toward the other are now the religious coin of the realm.
That religion is worthless.
If you knew me, you would know that I’m as offended by the culture and its predations as anyone.
The mirror tells me what God is offended by.
Maybe I shouldn’t go around mirrors either.
Make your own application…
Michael
Ascetic theology has always taught that we reach towards holiness through the small things. Through regular prayer, through acts of mercy, through the study of scripture and the related areas of spirituality, history and the examples of the lives of the saints, that is, those who have gone before us on the same road. Like you I am alternately outraged and saddened by much what I see in society, but I find very little of the culture warrior in either scripture or tradition…
Duane,
As you know, it’s my nature to fight.
I love brawling of diverse kinds.
God is trying to change my nature…and I don’t think I’m alone…
Even from an evolutionary perspective religious faith is a transcendent hope of our species to survive. Im a strange person when I want to increase my faith I listen to my version of the God Delusion. Well written yet stupid even from Dawkins perspective. Why do I hold to the faith, because I want to see all people restored. That is the unpardonable sin in evangelicalism and with Dawkins he could care less people do what they do. I think the second point offers far more grace. From evangelicalism I learned I should not need grace or any other help. I am an island unto my self, an individual, independent, self sufficient, alone, separate, an overcomer, perfect, I deal with it, I move on, I get over it, I, me, alone, always and for all of eternity. That is what I learned at Church. Basically God loathes anyone who actually needs Him.
A humble suggestion, this is not good news, it never has been. I do hope for the good news.
https://www.plough.com/en/topics/faith/witness/the-sermon-of-the-wolf?utm_source=Plough+-+English&utm_campaign=29ffa3aa74-Weekly_2022_07-29_SECOND_GO&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_4cbb94afa4-29ffa3aa74-297102606
This is how one bishop dealt with societal despair in the 1000s in England. I find the current culture discouraging. Yet, the Scripture calls believers to spiritual growth and positive participation in society. I have found this a good way to battle my own discouragement and to engage with those I find difficult, both in and outside of the church. I’m sure many find me difficult! But, focusing on what God wants to do within me and how to deal with others really helps my perspective.
Good words, Michael. Thank you for these reminders, they are often necessary.
Something else mirrors do, at least for me – they tend to point out what’s important (read:eternal) and what’s not…..