"Tight lines" is a blessing fishermen offer each other, a wish for lines taut with the weight of good fish. May God grant that the lines written here be taut with His blessings.
Wednesday, 26 August 2009 | |||
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Look in the Mirror | |||
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My collar is crooked, my hair needs a comb, my nostrils
could use a trim (I'm afraid so, these days). A look in a mirror often
results in an action or two to improve my appearance. Of course it would
be easier to neglect the mirror's verdict and continue in a less
manicured, seedier mode. But to pass muster with my wife it's best if I
take what I see in the glass seriously and do something about
it. As the lectionary moves us into the epistle of James this coming Sunday (our text is James 1:17-27) we hear the Word of God pictured as a mirror, reflecting back to us the changes that need to be made in our religious practice and behavior. The problem, says James, is failing to act on the reflection we see. Our denomination's recent statement on how we read Scripture contains the wonderful phrases, "We do not just read the Bible. The Bible reads us." Those words try to capture much of what James is saying. Our commitment to God's Word is not merely assent to its truths. It is a willingness to be changed by what we are shown about ourselves as we delve into the Word. In what many (notably Martin Luther) have felt to be a stark contrast with the Apostle Paul, James seems to place emphasis on action rather than mere faith. In our text he is concerned with the actions of controlling angry speech, moral purity, and care for those in need, themes to which he returns throughout the letter. To that end, the reading and hearing of the Bible ought to prompt the sort of question asked by those who heard the first preaching of the Gospel, "What shall we do. . .?" Note, however, that those in verse 24 who fail to do the Word and imagined as people who look into a mirror and then forget what they look like. Christian doing arises out of seeing clearly and remembering who we are, people loved and redeemed by the grace of Jesus Christ. When we see and remember ourselves that way, as sinners saved by grace, that is when we are able to offer up "religion" that is acceptable to God (verse 27) by extending grace and care to others. | |||
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Profile |
I am the pastor of Valley Covenant Church in Eugene, Oregon. I love to flyfish and hike along the beautiful rivers in our area. I welcome your comments as I share sermon work in progress and occasional other thoughts.
Thank you for visiting this blog. I invite you also to visit my web page.
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