James interjects a new note into this money-loving world. He says, "Don't talk so much about all the money that you are going to make. Don't focus so much of your life and energy on things. Instead, place God at the center of your universe, and let your life revolve around him."
James says that true wisdom yields a "the fruits of righteousness." In other words, James is arguing that you can talk all you want about being wise, smart, powerful, but unless your life bears witness to good works, you're not too wise.
In Chicken-Base Baseball, the runner was not required to run around all the bases. He simply ran from home plate to first base and back. He skipped second and third base completely. Gary commented that the church is saddled with lots of "Chicken-Base Christians." These are selfish Christians who care only about their personal salvation.
The Apostle James addresses a problem in congregations of his time. When a well-dressed newcomer appears, everybody starts fawning. "Have a seat here, please." "Would you like a cup of coffee?" But when people turn up dressed in the latest from Goodwill, they don't get the same treatment, but are directed to the cheap seats.
What prompted me to think about adages was this verse of scripture from the Letter of James that says, "But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves." Though it's not quite the same, that reminded me of the adage that goes: "Say what you'll do, then do what you say."
We all need the affirmation of the listening ear. Love your neighbor, says the old book. Well, perhaps the greatest gift of love is the gift of an ear — for by it we enable one another to break through confusion of mind, loneliness of heart, and we grant one another worth and feeling of importance.
The Wall Street Journal tells us that American parents spend less than fifteen minutes a week in serious discussion with their children. The boy said, "Dad and I had words this morning, but I didn't get to use mine." Why do we need someone who will listen? Lots of reasons.
But James says, "Be doers of the word, and not only hearers" (1:22). God calls us to a high calling. He calls us to rise above the ordinary. Why should he expect so much of us? First of all, God expects so much of us because of who we are. We are his children, created in his image.
James also tells us in this Epistle what it means to be a doer of God's Word: "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God is this: To visit orphans and widows in their affliction." To visit in the biblical sense means more than a friendly social call, but to bring every blessing.
A little girl in Sunday school drew a picture. The teacher asked, "What are you drawing, Mary?" "A picture of Jesus," she said. The teacher said, "Mary, we didn't have cameras back then and, as far as we know, no one ever painted Jesus' picture, so we really don't know what he looked like." Mary said, "You will when I finish."