Public Witness
“You know what? F–this speech. Hey, shout out to Trump for having the [courage] to put some s– like this on. And if I'm going to say anything, there's only one person more incredible than the Incredible Hulk, and that's my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. [He then insults another fighter’s mother, and then says–]. And lastly, Michelle Obama is a man.”—Josh Hokit
“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F-n’ Strait, you crazy b–, or you’ll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP”—Donald Trump
Our neighbors need living examples of God’s goodness and love put on display.
True Religion
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” —James 1:19-20
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt.”—Nursey Rhyme
Be quick to listen. Slow to speak. Slow to become angry.
“...the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness…”—Exodus 34:6 (NIV)
“Human anger is not a legitimate instrument for effecting those right relationships God desires for creatures.”—Luke Timothy Johnson
We need wisdom as we listen, speak, and interact with one another. Because speech is the primary means by which we build connections and bridges between one another.
Moral Discernment
“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.”—James 1:21
“put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness”—James 1:21 (ESV)
“throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage”—James 1:21 (MSG)
“lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness…”—James 1:21 (KJV)
James is calling us to discern that which is compromising and that which is good.
“…humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”—James 1:21
Following Jesus is about our lives being drawn into the drama of God’s redemption of all Creation.
A Warning
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.”—James 1:22-24
James encourages his audience to listen carefully to the message of salvation and to put it into action.
“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.”—James 1:26
If we are undisciplined in our speech, we will find ourselves passing on harm to others and ultimately hurting ourselves.
Renovated Character
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.”—James 1:24-25
“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah… This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” —Jeremiah 31:31,33 (NIV)
James writes that our public witness includes wise speech, moral discernment, renovated character, and finally compassionate action.
Compassionate Action
“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.”—James 1:27
True religion, James argues, is always moving toward the margins in compassionate action.
“James asks, in essence, ‘Did you in fact realize that the meeting of needs is not peripheral, nor optional, but central and obligatory to your faith?’”—Craig Blomberg
“In caring for them, we imitate the character of our heavenly Father and show ourselves to be followers of Christ…”—Daniel Eng
It is our responsibility to look out for anyone in tribulation or in pain, including those who make us uncomfortable.
