Talking and Doing

Dr. Richard J. Henderson September 7, 2003

click for printable version

Proverbs 22: 1-2, 8-9, 22-23
James 2: 1-17

Introduction

In all different parts of life there are principles that seem to be opposite, but really are the same. They seem to contradict each other but actually they support each other. These are two sides of the same coin: they look very different, but they are opposite sides of the same thing.

Take parenting for example. Some say the only way to be a good parent is to love your children - love them no matter what; always respond to them with love.

Others say the only way to be a good parent is to teach children discipline. Children must be taught respect, manners, and limits in their lives. Parents need to teach their children that they can't have everything, they can't do everything, they have to be concerned about other people, and not just themselves.

The answer is, of course, to love our children by teaching them respect, manners, and concern for others. Loving parenting is setting limits, teaching discipline, showing what is right - even when that is very difficult.

Parenting means always loving our children through the difficult times and in the best of times. Part of that love is teaching them discipline.

I

Christianity has a similar principle. Paul taught us that we are saved because of God's grace, not because of what we accomplish. We don't earn God's love by racking up a lifetime of good works; we are accepted by God because God loves us. In other words we don't earn God's love, God freely gives it to us. As Paul put it,  By grace we are saved through faith. 

You don't love your daughter because she brings home A's on her report card; you love your daughter because she is your daughter. You don't love your son because he made first trumpet, or because he is a star football player, you love him because of your love. Our children's love isn't earned; it's given.

In the same way God doesn't love us because we keep the Ten Commandments, or we feed poor people, or we attend church a certain number of times a year, or we help elderly women across the street, God loves us because of God's love. We don't earn God's love - we can't earn God's love - and we don't have to; God freely offers it to us. We have faith in God and God gives us his love.

II

Now, along comes James. In the scripture we read today, James says, all of this talk about our relationship with God is empty if it doesn't show itself in everyday actions. You can tell me over and over about how Jesus is your personal savior, but if we don't see the care and love of Jesus in your actions then it is all talk.

We may go on and on telling about what God has done in our lives, but if that faith isn't seen in compassion and concern for other people, it's just selfish religion. Faith that isn't lived out everyday isn't faith at all.

It's kind of like the person who says he is very patriotic. He has a huge flag in front of his house, and a flag hanging in every window. But when it comes to issues of justice and democracy and freedom he doesn't say or do anything. He doesn't even vote.

If his patriotism is all talk and flags, we certainly have to question the depth of his patriotism. James is saying something similar about faith. If we say we have faith but we don't do anything to demonstrate that faith, then what good is it? James says if we trust in something and we don't act on it, then it's really just words. James puts it very succinctly:  faith without works is dead. 

III

It seems like Paul and James are opposing each other. Paul says we don't earn God's acceptance by the good works that we do. James says if we don't do good works do we really have faith at all?

These sure sound like opposites. But they aren't. For Paul we don't save ourselves by doing good deeds and building up credits like so many frequent flier miles. We trust in God and God loves and saves us. Paul isn't saying we shouldn't do good works; he's just reminding us they don't help us earn our way to God. In fact, Paul also tells us to live out our faith in our concern for others.

He just wants us to be sure that the good we do is a response to God, not something that will earn our way to God. James wants to make clear that when we are accepted through God's love we live like God's people. Our faith in God is reflected in the way we treat other people. That means we live the acts of love that Jesus taught us. Paul and James are in agreement; our faith can't just be talk about our relationship with God, it has to be seen in the way we live.

IV

James sees the proof of our faith in how we treat poor people. He says very clearly in his letter, "If you discriminate against the poor, do you really believe in Jesus?"

If wealthy people come to worship do you fall all over yourselves making a comfortable place for them to sit and look after their every need? And if poor people come to worship do you ignore them or encourage them to sit in the corner? Do you have more than enough and yet ignore the needs of those who suffer?

I continually find it amazing how the Bible can be so relevant almost 2000 years later. If Michael Jordan showed up in church, or Donald Trump, would we treat them differently than we would a man in tattered clothes, who hadn't bathed in quite a while? Would we be fawning over the wealthy people - looking after their every need - and ignoring the poor person? James says if we would, then we need to look at the depth of our faith.

We have had several experiences over the years where a member of the group home near us has come to worship here. I have to say I have been proud of the way our congregation responded to these worshippers with special needs.

Sometimes it hasn't been easy. Were any of you here when the man was swearing loudly during the service?

James is very clear that discriminating against the poor is a violation of God's law.

Jesus said,  Just as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.  Mother Teresa was fond of saying that she saw Jesus in the eyes of the poor and dying everyday.

Conclusion

How we live is a reflection of our relationship with God. We do acts of compassion, not because we think it will get us into heaven, but because these are the things Jesus taught us to do. We respond to God's love with faithful and obedient lives. That obedience is the greatest reward.

A long time ago, when I was just beginning my ministry, I went out to visit a person who had attended the church where I worked. When I pulled up to the house it was a simple, concrete block home. It was out in the country, very small, and needed a coat of paint. It obviously was a poor family's home. I sat in the car hesitating to go to the door.  I'm not sure these are our kind of people,  I thought to myself. But then some Christian common sense, or maybe the nudging of God's Spirit got me out of the car and to the front door. I knocked, sort of hoping no one was home. I could just leave a card that I had stopped by, and write a note on it to welcome them.

The door opened, and I spent the next hour with one of the most genuine, intelligent, and down-to-earth people I have ever met. I learned early on, not only that discrimination is a sin, but that you might miss knowing some incredible people!

Amen.

©Richard J. Henderson 2003