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James 1 : 22 - 27
There is a clear connection between James 1:21 and 1:22. In verse 21, we are encouraged to receive the word of God with meekness. But what does it truly mean to receive God’s Word? Verse 22 provides the answer: receiving God’s Word means not only listening to it but also being a doer of His Word. There is a contrast between the influence of modernism and the teachings of the Bible. Modernism often suggests that the most important thing is to receive information and gain enlightenment, with the application of that information being optional. However, the Bible teaches that merely listening to the Word without putting it into practice is self-deception. Those who truly accept God’s Word will understand the importance of living it out. There’s a framing in verse 22 and 25: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only… But the one who…being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” Those who are doing the word of God will be blessed in his doing.
Doing the word of God is contrasted with merely hearing it. In verse 23, the person who only hears is compared to a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. Why does James use the metaphor of a “mirror” here? Upon reflection, the use of the word “mirror” actually carries a positive connotation, as it involves self-reflection. This is different from the metaphor of a “window.” If the Word of God were seen as a “window,” it would imply that we are looking at someone else, with no aspect of self-reflection. However, in verse 23, the metaphor of the “mirror” takes on a negative meaning. What is the issue with the mirror in this context? A sensible person would not look in the mirror for too long—perhaps 15 minutes at most. This highlights the weakness of the mirror: people only glance at it briefly, then forget what they saw. While the mirror itself is not inherently negative, the key problem here is “forgetting.”
So, what is the opposite of “forgetting”? The answer is “remembering.” But how do we remember, especially when it comes to the Word of God? The only way to truly remember God’s Word is by “doing” it. Remembering God’s Word is not just about memorizing it. In today’s world, we often think of life as a matter of mental capacity, focusing on the soul and mind. However, we forget that we were created with bodies as well. When we act on God’s Word, we involve our whole being—our mind, soul, and body. Thus, remembering God’s Word is not just a mental exercise, but an embodied action. Consider the act of Holy Communion: we are called to remember Christ’s sacrifice. This “remembering” is not merely recalling a historical event, but experiencing the power of salvation in Jesus Christ, receiving His forgiveness with humility, and sacrificing ourselves as a response to God’s grace. This kind of remembering is vastly different from the concept of memory in modernism, and it contrasts with someone who truly embodies the gospel in their life.
When someone actively lives out God’s word, it leaves a lasting impression. On the other hand, when someone hears God’s word but doesn’t act on it, they may still remember it, but what impact does it have? They might feel guilty, knowing what is right but choosing not to follow through. This is why James warns that those who are merely hearers of the word are deceiving themselves and becoming “fake” Christians. Some people claim to be Christians and faithfully attend church, but show no interest in living out God’s word. Are they truly Christians? No, they are just hearers. True Christians are those who obey God’s word. James 1:26-27 highlights 3 key aspects of this obedience:
- Bridling his tongue
- Visiting orphans and widows in their affliction, and
- Keeping oneself unstained from the world
Bridle His Tongue
From Christian perspective, we can’t say that all religion is the true religion and James thinks that way either. Many people may describe themselves as religious, but James warns, “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless (1:26)”. So, what is the connection between controlling one’s tongue and true religion? As we discussed earlier, a true Christian embodies God’s word in their life. A life filled with God’s word will produce actions and speech that reflect what has been internalized. If someone fills a cup with dirty water, only dirty water will come out. Similarly, if someone fills their life with God’s pure word, only pure words will flow from them. This is where the connection lies: a truly religious person will not allow harmful or impure words to come from their mouth, as it would not reflect what they have received from God.
We live in a world where we are free to say whatever we want. I recently taught about Christian faith and Western Art at CIT, and we discussed expressionism. What does it mean? Expressionism emphasizes that everything we feel and think must be expressed. Some might swear frequently and justify it by saying, “This is how I express myself.” However, James reminds us as Christians that true religion requires controlling our tongue. It becomes questionable whether we have truly received God’s word with meekness if we cannot control what comes out of our mouths—be it curses, swearing, bitterness, or anger. Those who humbly receive God’s word should speak words as sweet as honey. While none of us are perfect and we all need God’s mercy, the key to spiritual growth is being able to control our speech. If we cannot, our religion becomes worthless, vain, and meaningless. These words—worthless, vain, and meaningless—are closely tied to idolatry. James is saying that if we, as believers, cannot control our tongues, we are no different from those who do not worship the true God, but instead worship idols.
Visiting Orphans and Widows in Their Affliction
There’s merciful deeds in visiting orphans and widows. In the Old Testament and early church era, women were typically not breadwinners—men were the ones who earned a living. Therefore, when a husband died, a woman’s life would often collapse, as her survival depended on the mercy of others. James emphasized that true religion involves helping these vulnerable people—especially orphans and widows at that time. The ultimate test of religion isn’t about religiosity, but about love and compassion. If our religion doesn’t make us more compassionate, then we are worshiping the wrong thing. How can we apply this practice to our current context? While not all widows and orphans are poor, there are still many helpless people around us. For example, immigrants in Europe who struggle to adapt, or those seeking temporary shelter. The question is, are we as hospitable as Christ? Is our church a place of hospitality or exclusivity? Let’s reflect: does Jesus accept us as we are, or do we have a different view of Jesus—one who is not hospitable and doesn’t care for us? When we consider this, we realize that truly embodying the Word through action is not just a sentimental idea, but something genuinely lived out in the lives of Christians. So, how do we become a blessing in our place? I believe there is no place without helpless people, but are we sensitive enough to see them? It’s true that we can enjoy life and have fun, but that’s not the pinnacle of the Christian life. Remember, we still live in a world full of helpless people. We were once helpless too—do you remember how you struggled alone during difficult times? Did that experience make you think others should struggle alone too? Be careful, because those who feel abandoned in tough times and believe no one is there to help them may grow cold and heartless. However, I believe no one is truly without help from God. Sometimes, the challenge is acknowledging God’s help, which can come through others. One of God’s titles in the Bible is “The Helper.” He may help us through other people, and when we acknowledge His help, we will naturally want to help others as well. This is a sign of spiritual maturity—being willing to help bear the burdens of others.
When John Calvin was in Geneva, he opened the city to persecuted believers from France—about 60,000 people. It was a huge burden, especially since 60,000 people was a lot at the time. People may have wondered, “Why bother helping them and making life more difficult?” But in hindsight, these refugees had a positive impact on Geneva’s economy because they were hardworking people. The current situation may differ, as some refugees may come seeking personal gain rather than contributing to society. As Christians, it’s dangerous to adopt a mindset of self-interest. We must remain cautious but also contribute to the growth of others and help the helpless grow. True enjoyment and fulfillment comes when we help others because, in doing so, we draw closer to God.
Keeping Oneself Unstained From the World
James wants to make it clear that Christianity is not just about social action or merely being generous to the helpless. While diakonia is indeed an important aspect of Christianity, we are also called to keep ourselves unstained from the world. But what does this mean? It refers to personal holiness or sanctification. Unfortunately, we often see polarization in how Christians approach these issues. Some focus solely on personal sanctification but ignore societal concerns. For instance, they may be diligent in prayer but stingy in their generosity. On the other hand, there are Christians who are deeply concerned about social issues, such as climate change and environmentalism, but neglect personal holiness. They believe that social work can somehow make up for their lack of personal sanctification.
However, the Bible does not support this kind of polarization. It teaches us to engage in both ministry and personal sanctification. We are called to sanctify ourselves daily, striving to become more like Christ.Hopefully, we can grow in both areas—serving others and also pursuing personal sanctification. (G.N.S)