James 1:17-27 (NRSV)
Read James 1:17-27 on biblegateway.com
Verse 17Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Verse 18In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
Verse 19You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; Verse 20for your anger does not produce God's righteousness. Verse 21Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. Verse 22But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. Verse 23For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; Verse 24for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. Verse 25But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act-they will be blessed in their doing. Verse 26If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Verse 27Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Devotion
There is a joke that a man who believed fervently that he was saved not through works but by the grace of God went to heaven. When he arrived there St. Peter asked him what he had done in his life. The man proudly responded, “Nothing!”
James is a book that continually compels us to remember that we are saved not only from something but for something. James forcefully reminds us that the calling of a Christian is more than sitting in a pew basking in salvation. Instead, James calls us to “be doers of the word.”
We are called out of our comfort zones into the world … into the messiness of poverty and hunger and injustice. We are called to listen, to heed, to help those less fortunate – “to care for orphans and widows.” Today may we hear these voices. May we respond with God’s mercy and love.
Prayer
Gracious, Forgiving, Loving God – We thank you for your generosity and your Spirit of compassion. As your children, may we embody these traits, sharing them, in your grace, with all we meet today. Amen.