It’s an age-old debate – are works necessary for our ticket into heaven? Some forms of Christianity make it a huge issue. You can even do something on behalf of someone else to ensure their entry past the pearly gates. Others debunk that as Old Testament – under-the-Law theology.

James, chapter 1 gives a road map for Christian living.

Rejoice when you encounter various trials and let them perfect you.

If you lack wisdom, ask God, who gives it generously.

Rejoice in God’s perfect plans and designs for you personally.

Remain steadfast under trial.

Don’t be deceived. Every good and perfect gift comes from God, the Father of Lights.

Be quick to hear; slow to speak; slow to get angry. Anger does not produce God’ righteousness.

Receive the implanted Word, which is able to save your soul.

Be doers of the Word, not just hearers who,
in actuality, deceive themselves.

Bridle your tongue!

Visit orphans and widows and keep yourself
unstained in this world. 

This is pure, undefiled religion before God.

Living the Kingdom of God on this earth will require doing as well as being. It isn’t that the doing saves us, but it does prove God’s righteousness overshadows, fills motivates and sustains us. The proof, an old adage says, is in the pudding – one can only judge the quality and character of something after you have tried, used or experienced it. I cannot say I live for Jesus if I have not done so, nor will the world experience God’s true love apart from the way we, believers in Jesus, live out God’s Kingdom here on this earth.

James 2 dives in a bit deeper. Now it isn’t about the things I do to gain the character and heart of God within my own soul. Now it is about how God’s love is accomplished through me.

Showing partiality to the rich and slighting the poor is not just wrong; James calls such evil thoughts. He makes quite an indisputable case – it is the rich who oppress; it is the rich who will drag you into court with little provocation just because they can. It is the rich who do such things that dishonor the very name of Christ, the name by which believers are called…Christians. Showing partiality is an I’ll scratch your back because I know you can scratch mine mindset. God’s love constrains us from that kind of evil thinking and living.

James says fulfilling Jesus’ command to love others as you love yourself means we fulfill the Royal Law, and if we show partiality to the rich, slighting the poor, we are committing sin and are, therefore, convicted by the law as transgressors (the law imposed under the old covenant). The Royal law, on the other hand, is the law of liberty ushered in by Jesus, whose actions are merciful rather than judgmental, and Mercy triumphs over judgment. The Royal Law is best demonstrated in how Jesus lived and died. Even from the Cross He cried out, Father, forgive them for they know not what they do! Jesus did not slight the rich. He ate in their homes, counseled them in the night, and, I dare say, opened their spiritually blinded eyes - but neither did he show them partiality. 

He made abundantly clear what the Royal law is in His infamous Sermon on the Mount . . .

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they shall be satisfied.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Here is the crux of the debate over faith and works. . . 

Believing in Christ is not proprietary – even the demons believe and shudder!  Our world wants a demonstration of Christ’ love, grace and mercy – not just empty hyperbole. True faith in Jesus is faith that is action-packed, and our faith is completed by how we live Christ’s Royal Law toward those around us. 

This reminds me of another newer adage – You complete me. As we live out the love, grace and mercy of Christ, we are being completed by Him. We are not saved, but sanctified – blessed, purified and made holy – by what we do with what we believe. It is not debatable, but simple Truth:

The body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead – lifeless; empty.

smcs / 12/31/2019