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
What is more harmful to our neighbor than an unbridled tongue? James will have more to say to us on this subject as we work our way through his letter this month (see chapter 3!). For now, take to heart his counsel that our neighbor will be most blessed through us when our spirits have become receptive rather than reactive. Our root issue, as Jesus will remind us over the next days, is with the heart. And only a new heart, implanted by the Word, can yield the kind of patience, self-control, and eagerness to listen of which James speaks. Only then will doing the word become congruent with our hearing, and good works sprout from us as naturally as good fruit from a good tree (Luke 6:43-45). Only then, by the Spirit's transforming work, is religion brought back to basics—caring for "orphans and widows" and anyone else in distress.
Prayer
God, your goodness does not change, but your goodness can change us. Create in us clean hearts, so that through our words and actions things get better for others when we are around. Amen.