Mid-Term Exam
Good Wednesday to you,
Congratulations! You did it! You successfully scored a perfect score on your midterm exam of the Epistle James. Now it’s time to live out our lives for the final exam—as a follower of Jesus where our faith and deeds are in sync.
As you will recall, James writes to the Twelve Tribes scattered among the nations urging the Church to remain grounded in the Truth. James writes with a strong sense of urgency. The conclusion of the letter might seem a bit odd because it does not fit the traditional format of a first century letter. James doesn’t thank anyone or even offer a benediction as a nice bow at the end of the letter. The last point James makes is two verses long—a single sentence. And, every word written is in line with the entire letter!
Throughout the letter, James refers to us as "My brothers (and sisters)." We are considered family—and much like our biological family, in the family of God, we grow up together. We grow up together in Christ—walking side-by-side and hand in hand. As the Apostle Paul writes, "in Christ we who are many form one body, and each members belongs to all the others" (Romans 12:5). We're all in this together—one Lord, one Spirit, one Baptism, and one Body.
To that point, if we are all in this together, than we desperately need each other. Especially in times when we might "wander from the truth." For when, not if, we wander, our brothers and sisters are present in our lives to bring us back. But, this assumes there are those who know our rhythms and patterns well enough to detect our wandering. Are there brothers and sisters in your life who are in sync with your rhythms and daily patterns in life? Who are the people who know you well enough to call you from your wandering? I pray there are 3, 4, or even 5 brothers or sisters with whom you have moved beyond the superficial and into the personal matters of life. Those are the people who we need—and need us!
What's at stake in all this? Unapologetically, James tells us life is at stake: "remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of [their] way will save [them] from death and cover over a multitude of sins." God invites us into the work of forgiveness, redemption, healing, and restoration. Do not get me wrong in this—we are not the Messiah. We point others to the Messiah. And, hopefully, someone points us to the Messiah. Jesus is our only hope. What an honor and privilege we carry with us every day to walk alongside of our brothers and sisters in this; to grow up together in Christ and live out our witness for the world to see.
Thank you for walking beside me as we worshiped the Lord in Spirit and Truth last Sunday. I deeply appreciated your encouragement. Next Sunday, we start a new adventure with the Prophet Jonah. Hang on to your seats—it is going to be a wild ride!
I want to leave you with the last verse of "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." Together, may our hearts be sealed for courts above.
"Oh to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter
Bind my wandering heart to thee:
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here's my heart, O take and seal it;
Seal it for Thy courts above."
Amen,
Pastor John
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
