May the mumbling commence!
Faith is hard work. We have established that. But do we really need to do that work?!? If you are still struggling with that question, then you need to look closely at this passage from James chapter one (NLT):
My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Your anger can never make things right in God's sight.
So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the message God has planted in your hearts, for it is strong enough to save your souls.
And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. If you don't obey, you are only fooling yourself. For if you just listen and don't obey, it is like looking at your face in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you keep looking steadily into God's perfect law – the law that sets you free – and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are just fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us. (Verses 19-27)
I have heard it said that we have two ears and only one mouth for a reason. We are to listen twice as much as we speak. If only that were true! If it were, much more communication would happen than actually does.
How often can we truly say that we are quick to listen? How often do we truly listen to what someone else is saying without thinking about what we are to say in response? There is no wonder to me why there is so much anger in this world.
At times, it must seem to people that they are speaking into a brisk wind that quickly carries their words away from the ears of anyone who might be inclined to listen and to care. But anger is no way to lead your life. Anger will never make things right in God’s sight. Anger cannot please God.
So accept God’s message of love and rightful relationships at its face value. That message has the strength and moral fiber to save your soul. And acceptance implies obedience.
It is not enough to get baptized and regularly attend church worship and activities. It is not even enough to be intimately involved in the functioning of the church. To accept God’s message fully we must seek to live the Way the Christ lived and taught – in full obedience to God.
Use God’s Word as your mirror, and see yourself for what you are. What we see can be painful. Have you ever seen a video recording of a speech or sermon or play you have been in? It is painful to watch myself on video. Do I really look and sound like that?
Seeing ourselves as we truly are means we need to strive for positive change. It means judging others with mercy. Yes, it means freeing ourselves from the need to judge others… when we have so much to improve in our walk with Jesus. And anger is often defused.
And we are freed to help those people who are most vulnerable – the widow and orphans… the single parents and the “illegal” aliens.
Accepting Christ means a changed life. There is no ifs ands or buts.
Enough mumbling for now… Peace Out
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