Good morning! Continuing our study of James today, covering the practical instructions laid down by the brother of our Lord Jesus Christ. This study led me places I never expected. It’s a refutation of the prosperity gospel. In it, I admit to my own folly in the past, when I used to say silly things like, “I’m not religious, I’m spiritual,” to my own shame. It honestly was not where I intended to go, but you know where good intentions get you? In the end, this is a study about obedience.
Speaking of which, Michael Jr. has a great bit about James being Jesus’s brother.
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.
James 1:26
Open palm slap to the face
I don’t know about you, but I really don’t want my religion to be worthless. This verse is really interesting. It begins with a common delusion, If anyone thinks he is religious. This can be a very convicting passage. In modern times, though, many people would give themselves an easy out. No conviction necessary! How often have you heard this (or said it yourself): “I’m not religious, I’m spiritual.”
I admit, there was a time in my life where I said those very words. Now, though, I find them embarrassing, even cowardly. Here’s why:
Fool of a Took
Back in the day, when I thought this a high-minded saying. That is exactly what I was – high-minded. I liked to quote some verses every now and then. I especially loved all the promises of blessing. You know the ones. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Deuteronomy 15:6 For the Lord your God will bless you, as he promised you, and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow, and you shall rule over many nations, but they shall not rule over you. That sort of thing.
God’s promises require obedience
No time to go into it now, but these verses were not meant to promise two cars and a fat bank account. They were promises, yes. But, these promises were not written in isolation. Well, I guess we are going to go into it, right now. Check out the quote from Deuteronomy in its fuller context:
But there will be no poor among you; for the Lord will bless you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance to possess— 5 if only you will strictly obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all this commandment that I command you today. 6 For the Lord your God will bless you, as he promised you, and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow, and you shall rule over many nations, but they shall not rule over you.
Deuteronomy 15:4-6
You are not an ignoramus. Or, if you were, you ain’t one now! Let’s see where that there blessing springs from. Being spiritual? Nope: if only you will strictly obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all this commandment that I command you today. What was all of the commandment? It was an enormous list of dos and do-not dos (Troy McClure) that Moses recorded for the people. The blessing was tied, not to the Israelites’s feeling especially in touch with the divine. It was based on their obedience to God’s commands. It was based on their adherence to the covenantal requirements of their religion. Like, being religious.
Similarly, the passage in Jeremiah has a set of instructions. It starts with the building and continuation of families. It culminates in the people seeking God with all their heart. God gave them a to-do list. They had to do it. Obedience. If you practice a thing commanded you by God. I’d say you were practicing a religion. But, I’m no wordist.
You’re fooling yourself, you don’t believe it – Styx
But, wait. One more thing. When I was a fool and said things like, “I’m not religious, I’m spiritual,” was I really?
I tell you I was not.
My mouth was full of spiritual-sounding catchphrases, but my mind and heart were fixed on the flesh. Take Roman’s 8, for example. Back then I loved the first verse. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Beautiful! And, it really is beautiful. But, it is not meant to be a crutch to support a body of corruption against as you hobble toward your next sinful delight.
Later in the same chapter the Apostle Paul writes:
12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Romans 8:12-17
Haha! You say. The Spirit is everywhere in them verses! But, you best be careful. (And, check your grammar.)
Like the promises in Deuteronomy and Jeremiah, there are some caveats here: not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die. And, fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
You see? Anyone who is simply spiritual, who follows no precepts, commandments, or Christian practices, is not likely to produce fruit or suffer with Christ. Their spirituality is really a delusion of superiority over their religious neighbors. Their spirituality is an excuse to live without boundaries, rules, or standards. They walk not in obedience. At least, I know I did not.
Detours
Would you stop distracting me? This is a study on James, not the dismantling of Prosperity Gospel!
My point is this: if we are going to call ourselves Christians, we should call ourselves religious. Drop the spiritual thing. Walk in obedience to the word of God. Or keep the spiritual thing and add it to the religious thing. If we’re going to call ourselves religious, then James says we have to bridle our tongues. James has way more to say about the tongue. I’ll hit those points tomorrow.
Your kidding yourself cause don’t believe it lol-quite the synthesizer in that song
And the new commandment- to love one another
If I then your Lord and teacher have washed your feet you also ought to wash one another’s feet