Devotion • September 7
Today's Scripture
James 2:1–10, 14–17
My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Have a seat here, please,” while to the one who is poor you say, “Stand there,” or, “Sit at my feet,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you?
You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. (NRSV)
Reflection
The preacher stood up, explained he was giving us a pop quiz, and then showed us a pencil. He held it horizontally and asked, “Is this straight or round?” It’s straight, of course! But then he shifted the pencil to show us the end. It’s round, of course! The pencil is both straight and round. I often remember that illustration when I’m tempted by either-or thinking.
This passage of James is a favorite among those who like to debate whether it is more important to act or believe. You’ve most likely heard that James dabbles in “works righteousness” — this idea that we must earn our place as God’s beloved. The other side rebuts with it doesn’t matter what you believe if you don’t act. If you don’t treat the poor in a certain way ... if you don’t work for justice ... if you don’t do ... well, it doesn’t matter what you believe.
I’ve found that it’s impossible to not believe something. All my actions come out of some belief. I believe that the chair will hold me and then I sit down. Belief always comes before action! That’s a simplistic example.
However, what I believe about my belovedness informs how I treat myself. What I believe about myself informs how I treat others. What I believe about God’s dream for the world informs how I spend my money and my time.
Works vs. belief is a ridiculous argument. It is both-and. I believe that nothing separates me from the love of God, and I believe that about everyone else too. It is that deeply held belief that drives my actions.
Prayer
Dear God, help me to spend less time arguing about the Bible and more time bringing about your dream for the world. Remind me that if I spend all of my time working for it, I just might be neglecting the tending of my soul. I need both. Amen.
Written by Andrea Denney, Executive Director of Operational Ministries
Reflection and Prayer© Fourth Presbyterian Church
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