James 3:13-16 (NLT): “If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.

But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.”

Selwyn writes: “Two major causes of chaos are listed: envy (jealousy) and selfish ambition. Where these two evils are present, no society  or, for that matter, no church, can enjoy stability, security and peace.”

The humanistic world-view can never formulate a satisfactory way of life that offers the hope of lasting peace. Envy and selfish ambition will always erode the foundation of man’s best intentions. The various experiments of socialistic as well as democratic  governments to develop a fair, just, and sustainable social environment in which to live, have all had their spectacular failures. 

Not only do we have to combat our own sinful natures but we also have to be alert to the activities of evil beings whose singular obsession is to prevent us from having a right-relationship with God.  To some, my last statement may sound, so last century – but anyone who underestimates the work of the devil is already on very thin ice. What do you think?

James 3:7-12 (NLT): “People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth.

Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.”

As Selwyn mentions in today’s study,  ’it is impossible to tame the tongue by human methods. … A miracle has to happen within – deep in the spirit. And only the Holy Spirit can accomplish that.’

I think this issue is an ongoing-battle, we constantly need to seek God’s help in prayer – to guide us in the right choice of words. Consequently, today’s prayer is one, that perhaps we should say on a fairly regular basis.

“O God, I don’t want my life to be incongruous, like a spring gushing with salt water and fresh water. I want to live abundantly – sending out only love. I surrender my spirit to Your Spirit. Please give me the miracle I need. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

James 3:5-6 (NLT): “In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.”

I often like the vivid language found in many parts of the Bible, and the last sentence of the above verses, certainly paints a dramatic picture.

In the same way, Selwyn has a knack of presenting an idea with an economical use of words. Today, he writes: “The tongue can also make mischief by the use of waspish words. This is often done under the guise of: ‘I speak the truth, even though it hurts.’ But isn’t it true also that such people can like the hurt they cause?

As with a forest fire, the devastation caused by an uncontrolled tongue can be far reaching. But this ‘tinderbox’ does not only do its damage to other people; it can make our own lives ‘a blazing hell’. You cannot (knowingly?) hurt others without hurting yourself.”

Perhaps it’s always a good idea to pray about what we might say – before we actually say it.

James 3:1-5 (NLT): ”Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.

We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.”

I liked Selwyn’s conclusion: “If we permit God to use our tongue as a horseman uses the bit or a pilot the rudder of a ship, our lives will move in the direction the Almighty decides. But if not, we face the greatest tragedy of all – spiritual downfall or spiritual shipwreck.”

The tongue – expresses our personality: a personality controlled by our own selfish desires and pride or a personality controlled by Jesus. Too often, we hear about the right to have our voices heard – the right to have freedom of speech; and far too little do we hear about the responsibility that must be exercised with this freedom. It’s only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can use words, especially God’s words, in a responsible and loving manner.

Now, we start to get to some interesting Scripture, James 2:14-26 (NLT): “What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?

So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God.Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?

Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God. So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.

Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.”

The key to understanding this section of James’ letter is his introductory remark: ‘What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions?

It is addressed to those who say they have faith but their lives don’t reflect Christ working in their thoughts and actions. 

James is telling his readers, in a very direct way, that when the Holy Spirit comes into your heart – His presence is seen through your actions. Actions, which demonstrate your love for God and your love for your neighbour. The opposite is also true – if (overall) your actions do not demonstrate God’s love for others – then you do not have the Holy Spirit – you do not (at that point in time) have a loving relationship with God.

Consequently, there is no conflict whatsoever with what Paul writes in Ephesians 2:1-10 (NLT): ”Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil – the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

God saves us by His grace – we are set free from our bondage to sin. Having been set free (salvation), we are then able through the power of the Holy Spirit to do the good things prepared by God for us to do.

There are some people who are still in bondage to sin (spiritually dead); yet say they have faith. It’s this group to whom James is addressing his words – their faith is dead (never alive in the first place) – and the proof of that, can be seen in their actions.

I don’t really understand Martin Luther’s problem with James’ words – I don’t see any contradiction with what Paul wrote – do you?

As Selwyn writes in today’s study: “James would be the first to agree with Paul that while we are saved by faith alone, the faith that saves is never alone. When faith is present then good works will follow. Though we are not saved by good works, we are saved to do good works. … James chose two very different characters – especially in status (Abraham and Rahab) to let us know that nobody is exempt. ‘Don’t just stand there – (pray for God’s direction, and) do something’  – applies to all Christians – at all times.”

What’s your view on this?

Today’s text for reading and meditation, James 2:6-13 (NLT): “But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?

 Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.

For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law.

So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.”

Selwyn in his conclusion, writes:“The whole point of this passage is to show that this sort of prejudice and judgmentalism is sin, just as adultery and murder are sin.”

James’ words may come as a bit of a shock to some – he is saying, that those who show favoritism are, as guilty of breaking the law, as someone who murders. That is, breaking the law in any one area - makes you an outlaw  -  as guilty as a murderer, and under the law the penalty for murder is death.

The other stumbling block for some, is the following statement:  ’There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others’. Our faith enables us to show mercy – if we are not merciful in our actions and thoughts – our faith is dead. Is that a fair enough comment?