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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
Practical Christianity is the only Christianity that exists. If one's religion isn't practical, it isn't Christianity. Conversely, if one's religion is practical, it is Christianity.
Like many, many authors before me, I see the book of James as the quintessential example of Practical Christianity. I see it as ironic and naive for someone as studious as Luther to have referred to one of God's inspired books, and especially the book of James, as “...a right strawy epistle in comparison with them [the epistles of Paul], for it has no gospel character to it.” I would claim just the opposite, namely that the book of James mirrors the teachings of his prolific counterpart by putting a practical face on the decidedly didactic messages of Paul. It is, as many have observed, a book of Practical Christianity!
For purposes of this series of articles, we will focus our attention on the first 13 verses of James 2. This brief text closes with the line which I have chosen for the title of this series, Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment. I have chosen this text to discuss for three prominent reasons; these reasons are: 1) It is a text which is widely misunderstood, 2) It contains several lessons that have an immediate and significant impact on every generation and culture (and especially ours), and 3) It contains a message which will allay the fears of many believers who for some reason continue to dread the judgment of God.
James opens this section with a direct statement which, when taken to heart, has a stinging impact on almost all of us; here is his exhortation: “My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.” (James 2.1). James does not end his thoughts with the exhortation; he explains them with illustrations! We will come to these illustrations presently, but our attention for now will remain on this open and shut commandment.
First, an implication, it is possible for a believer to “hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ...” and do so with partiality! If this is not the case, this first verse makes absolutely no sense at all! Some claim that when one becomes a believer, God's Holy Spirit works a work of grace in the believer's heart and thus turns him/her away from all tendency to sin and toward only that which is just and holy. James did not believe this to be the case. In fact, James aimed this text directly toward “My brethren.” His rebuke is unmistakably toward his fellow believers and has little if anything to do with the world. Not that the world could not profit from these teachings, but they simply were not directed toward the world; they were aimed at the Church!
Secondly, comes a declaration of the unanimity of “the faith.” It is not subjective in nature; it is absolutely and eternally objective! It was not James' faith, Paul's faith., Peter's faith, or any man's faith. It was and is “the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.” How could anything be made more sacred, more the object of our respect, and more to be held in awe than to declare it to belong to the resurrected being whom every Christian must admit to be King of King and Lord of Lords! In spite of this, however, many still refer to it as though they had a vote in what it contains, how it is to be received, and the extent to which it ought to be obeyed! For these, mercy will not triumph over judgment, for mercy is only achieved in and through the system of faith which Jesus authored and ratified with His blood!
The believer has no right to boast contrary to that which Jesus has revealed; he has every right to boast in that which Christ has revealed. It is here, in the faith, that Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment.
Questions:
1. In the absolute and eternal sense why is Christianity practical?
2. If a system does not achieve its desired or intended end, is it really practical? How about the systems of error that men have established? Are they practical if they don't lead to heaven?
3. According to James, who owns. controls, and guards “the faith?” Why does he speak of only one faith? Is this consistent with Paul's teaching (see Romans 1.5,16.26 with many like passages)?
4. If it is indeed “the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ,” how ought I to treat it? What reverence and respect is it due?
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