HOME TRUTHS FOR CHRISTIANS
The letter written by James is very direct and personal in its message - he doesn't pull his punches. Martin Luther wasn't very keen on this book - he called it "an epistle of straw" because it didn't say much about Jesus or the Cross. But that's an incorrect reading of James's purpose - he was placing the emphasis on the relationship between faith and conduct. What we have to understand when we're reading James is that we're hearing the Sermon on the Mount in action so it's not surprising that it's very practical Christianity. Chapter 4 can conveniently be divided into three sections each offering home truths on Christian behaviour that he'd seen in his ministry. These home truths, sometimes painful to accept, are offered so that each of us can see how we, individually, measure up to this spiritual checklist.
The Wrong Spirit
James asks some pertinent questions that lead him to conclude that his readers had The Wrong Spirit (1-3). Why do wars happen? It's often because the leaders of one country want some territory or other possession belonging to another. It's the spirit of envy and greed that causes so much suffering. But what's true on the national scale applies to the individual because it's individuals who make up communities. Sadly, Christians are not exempt. Notice how James narrows it down; it's "among you." Fighting, probably not literally, but certainly squabbling, was a problem in the early church. This is something shameful for Christians, quite alien to the Spirit of Christ.
What's the cause of discord in churches? It's The wrong Spirit. The early church wasn't perfect by any means. Paul wrote to the church at Philippi: "I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord" (4:2). To Corinth he wrote: "It has been reported to me … that there is quarrelling among you" (I Cor 1:11); in fact church members were even suing each other in the law courts! This sort of thing brings the Christian community into disrepute with the result that unbelievers point the finger, rightly saying that Christians are no better than anyone else! It's true all too often.
The Wrong Spirit can show itself in promoting self at the expense of others. There's a fable that illustrates this failing. There was trouble in the carpenter's workshop, and the tools were having a row. One of them said, "It's the hammer's fault. He's much too noisy. "No" said the hammer, "the blame lies with the saw. He keeps going forwards and backwards all the time." The saw protested violently, "It's the plane's fault. His work is so shallow." The plane objected. "The real trouble lies with the screwdriver. He's always going round in circles." "Nonsense," retorted the screwdriver, the trouble really began with the ruler. He's measuring other people by his own standards." And so they went on until the carpenter came in. He was making a pulpit and by the time he'd finished he had used every one of those tools. They were all necessary; none was more important than the others.
Of course, we may not be so blatant in criticising others but should remember that the thought is as guilty as the deed. It's been said that a man is not what he thinks he is - but what he thinks, he is! It's the attitude we adopt, the motive that drives us that makes all the difference. James tells us that this is an important factor in our prayer life. Why are prayers unanswered? Matthew Henry comments: "We miss when we ask amiss" - that is, asking the wrong way. We need openness with our fellow believers and humility before God to ensure that our prayers are heard. The Wrong Spirit is followed by:
The Wrong Friendship
The Christian church is portrayed in Scripture as "the Bride of Christ" so it's not surprising that James classes backslidden Christians as "you adulterous people." This isn't a new concept. The Old Testament prophets often used this imagery. Jeremiah likened backslidden Israel to "a fallen wife" (3:14). Hosea had the same complaint, where Israel is called an adulterous wife because she'd been unfaithful and had broken her relationship with God (1:2). The trouble was that they had made The Wrong Friendship (4-10). In the marriage service the bride is asked whether she will, "forsaking all other", keep only to her husband. We have to decide whose side we're on. James insists that "a friend of the world" equals "an enemy of God". Strong words! He's echoing the words of Jesus, "You cannot serve God and mammon" (Matt 6:24) and "You are my friends if you do what I command" (John 15:14).
What is worldliness? It's anything that gets between God and us. These things aren't deliberately anti-God but they have the same effect by spoiling our spiritual experience, slowing our spiritual growth, lessening our spiritual appetite and threatening our spiritual influence. And more seriously they may cause other Christians to stumble if they follow our example. The apostle Paul says that in his experience some things were "lawful" but "not expedient": "everything is permissible for me - but not everything is beneficial." He went on to say: "I will not be mastered by anything" (1 Cor 6:12). It's not for me pick out what we can or can't do. It's a matter for the individual before God to decide for himself or herself, in the light of the revelation given in God's word, if this or that is sinning against the light.
What should we do about it? James tells us "Submit yourselves, then, to God." The story is told of Nelson in one of his famous battles. A captain of a ship he had defeated, knowing Nelson's reputation for graciousness and kindness in victory, offered Nelson his hand. Nelson refused. "Your sword first, sir, and then your hand." The Lord Jesus takes the same position. "Your sword first - Submit. And now your hand in friendship." First we must submit to him as God. From now on it must be: "Your will be done."
"Submit yourselves … to God" writes James, but that's just one side of the coin. The other is to: "Resist the devil." That means putting up a fight, but God doesn't leave us to our own devices for he has defensive equipment for us to use. "Put on the whole armour of God" (Eph 6:12) we're instructed by Paul. What does the armour consist of? "The belt of truth … the breastplate of righteousness … your feet fitted with gospel of peace … the shield of faith … the helmet of salvation … and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God" (14-18). The devil's agents want us to be conformed to the standards of this world. That may make life easier but this is to have The Wrong Friendship. The devil is actively engaged against us but our responsibility is to resist. Whenever an enemy overruns a country there are patriots who won't give up and they set up a Resistance Movement. Satan has invaded planet Earth but Christians are the Resistance until Jesus returns in triumph.
When we trust in Christ we have the experience of conversion. We receive the Spirit of Christ and our sins are forgiven, as we rely on his atoning sacrifice on the Cross. That's wonderful, but does it mean that we're made perfect? Of course not! We're right in God's sight but we're still left with the potential to sin. The old nature, the old heart remains with us. We can't offload unto God the responsibility for our failure. Although we can never obey God without his help, we can never blame God when we fall. It's been put like this. Time is divided in terms of BC - "before Christ" and AD - "after Christ". The believer is a child of "AD" but sadly could be living a "BC" life. God doesn't want us to be spiritual paupers when all the riches of Christ are there for us to appropriate. It's rather like in the TV show "Millionaire": the contestant has won £32,000 and Chris Tarrant shows the cheque but he whips it away - "I don't want to give you that!" There's up to a million available!
How can we achieve spiritual victory? James has the answer. This is all about a Christian's walk with God. We read that "Enoch walked with God" (Gen 5:24) and that "Noah walked with God" (6:9). What a lovely phrase to describe the Christian life! It's not a matter of slavishly following rules or rituals, but one of personal experience and relationship. It's not something that happens automatically. It's not like adding a software programme in a computer by loading a disc and pressing "Enter". We know from our experience of marriage. Although the knot is tied in a moment of time, if it's going to succeed, it needs to be worked at, or the relationship will cool.
God takes the initiative in providing his grace. "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." A good definition of "grace" is "undeserved favour". The slave trader John Newton wrote the famous hymn "Amazing Grace". He testifies that it's through God's grace that "saved a wretch like me" but goes on to speak of God's continuing grace "through many dangers, toils and snares … and grace will lead me home."
What practical steps must we take? James, having pointed to God's sufficiency, points on to our responsibility. He sets out an ordered programme of obedience. "Draw near to God … cleanse your hands … purify your hearts … humble yourselves." We need to avail ourselves of the means of grace. In fact, doing what the early church did: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" (Acts 2:42). Perhaps the hardest part to follow of James' programme is the instruction to "humble ourselves." Many years ago there was a famous correspondence in "The Times" under the subject "What is wrong with the world today?" The best letter was also the shortest. It read like this - "Dear Sir, I am. Yours faithfully, G K Chesterton." Just think how many difficulties and problems in church life would be resolved if we all had the humility to answer the question - "What's wrong?" with the words "I am"!
The particular people that James had in mind when he wrote his letter were, frankly, backsliders. They have been described like this: "Although saved by grace, they were sinners by disgrace!" We're reminded of our failure to live up to God's standard when we come to the Communion Table: Paul warns the Corinthian believers to examine themselves (I Cor 11:28). Thank God, there is cleansing through the blood of Jesus! The Wrong Spirit, The Wrong Friendship and now:
The Wrong Attitude
James continues his diagnosis of the malaise affecting this group of Christians. He addresses them personally as "Brothers" but just possibly the ladies should be included? The trouble was that they adopted The Wrong Attitude (11-17) to a number of practical issues in daily living. Firstly, James highlights:
A Wrong Attitude to Others
"Do not slander one another" - in other words, "do not defame" or "do not denigrate others." We can expect the world to enjoy rubbishing Christians, whether it's justified or not, but it's wrong as between believers. Even if it's true it gives us no right to say it if it has the effect of making us appear to be superior. The Authorised Version emphasises "brotherliness" by repetition of "brethren … brother … brother". It speaks of the family relationship that we have as brothers and sisters in Christ. What should be our attitude to each other? We're all on the same level before God, so it's improper for one to claim or exercise any superiority over the other. As Christians, the Bible would term us as "saints" - but let's admit we've all got broken halos!
This reminds me of a huge stained glass window in Winchester Cathedral. During the civil and religious strife of the Reformation in England, the Roundheads stormed into cathedrals, destroying religious symbols. They wrecked the beautiful window depicting saints. What could be done with the shattered fragments of the beautiful coloured glass? Sweep them up and throw them away? No, with love and care the people picked up the pieces and leaded the shattered glass in the window frame just as they found it. And now, 300 years later, the sun shines through the same beautiful colours of fine stained glass of the mixed up saints. This is the story of the Christian church. All of us have failed God in many ways - we're saints with broken halos but he wants us to let him pick up the pieces of our lives, putting them back together, remaking us so that God's light in Jesus can shine through us to a dark world. None of us will be perfect in this life.
This doesn't mean that we have to go around with our eyes closed to what's wrong but what is forbidden is a spirit of negative criticism, backbiting, unkind gossip and rumour mongering. Paul writes: "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice" (Eph 4:31). What should we do if we hear slanderous gossip? Well, if we receive a foreign coin in our change, what should we do? Refuse to accept it, of course, but if it's too late, then take it out of circulation. James continues his discussion of The Wrong Attitude by referring to:
A Wrong Attitude to Life
James is dealing with the pride of life. He puts his finger on it when he tells his readers "You boast and brag." He condemns their arrogance in their attitude: to what they're going to do in future - "we will go"; and where they intend to go - "into such a city"; and for how long - "spend a year"; and for what purpose - "make money." Of course, it's good to plan for the future but not when God is left out of the equation. Remember the parable of the rich fool. He prided himself on his good planning and industry: "My barns are full" but what did God say? "You fool, this night your soul will be required of you" (Luke 12:16-20). This man had a materialistic attitude to life that brought wealth for a time, but it left him a pauper at the point of death. It was life with God left out.
There's a true saying that we ignore at our peril: "Man proposes, but God disposes." What should be our attitude to the future? We can't presume in view of the uncertainty and fragility of life. James writes: "You are a mist that appears for a little and then vanishes." He urges that we live under the will of God but it's not enough to mouth "DV" as a postscript to our plans. He's given us one life to live. None of us knows for how long - only God does. He has a plan and a purpose for us. God has a will for our lives, and it waits to be discovered. Happy is the person who has discovered God's purpose. We must live our life on God's terms and walk humbly before him, obedient to his will. In the end that is what life is all about. If we're honest, we have to admit that life has many puzzling features, and there seem to be baffling problems. In the midst of uncertainties and difficulties we must make a deliberate choice, that we will walk with God. It's a partnership of the best kind - fulfilling, productive and totally satisfying.
I read a story about the Duke of Windsor, the uncrowned King Edward VIII. He was answering questions about his boyhood as Prince of Wales. His father, King George V, was a strict disciplinarian. "Sometimes" he said, "when I had done something wrong, he would admonish me saying, My dear boy, you must always remember who you are." That's something we need to remember too - who we are: believers in the Lord Jesus. It will help us to remember that when we're tempted to have The Wrong Spirit, The Wrong Friendship or The Wrong Attitude.
