It’s easy to read this passage from James and think,
“Yes, I sure know people this applies to!”
And I do. And I
see one of them every day. He gets me
angry, I just want to grab him by the collar and just shake him and scream, “Wake
up! God loves you more than you know and wants you to change your ways.” Like I said, I see him every day. In the mirror.
If you read this verse and immediately thought of someone
in your life that the verse should apply to, you are misunderstood the verse. The
verse’s application is intentionally and deeply personal. After all, Jesus
warned his followers to check that tree trunk we have in our eyes prior to
pointing out the crumb in someone else’s eye. (visit Luke 6:41,42)
James (the brother of Jesus) urges his readers (me!) to
put away all my filthiness and rampant wickedness. OK James, don’t hold back now. How do you
really feel about it? Filthiness and
rampant wickedness. In other words, the
way we naturally are. Maybe I should only speak of myself. The way I naturally am…far too
often…still. Just how does James get
such an insightful view of my heart? I
try to hide it so well.
James opens his sentence noisily but closes it
quietly. He says, “receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your
souls.”
God’s word, written (implanted) on our hearts. Received
in all humbleness and humility.
The reality is that being a Christian is nothing to boast
of; the benefits we receive from Christ are to be received in all
meekness. His saving of our souls is a
priceless gift that is so unearned and undeserved. I also see his salvation every day. In the mirror. I am blessed. He saves
filth.
Like me.
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