ON LOVE; PART DLXXXIV
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GoodWill IS Love in Action
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“The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:29-31).
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“Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:36-40).
In the last essay we contrasted the ideas from James’ Epistle on faith and works against the words from Paul and then the doctrines that have been formed based upon what we see as out of context approaches to Paul’s words. We cited one example two posts back regarding how that one brief statement like “whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace” or “But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law” (Galatians 5:4, 18) can be allowed to change the entire chapter to a declaration that it IS not necessary that a man keep the law and that it IS by faith that he is saved. Our point here is that the Truth IS missed by doctrines which create this aura of worldly faith, emotional and mental affirmations of belief, as they conclude that Paul’s saying that “by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8) and others like this mean that the works that a man may do in the world ARE NOT required….ONLY faith is required. Here we can see the underlying ideas that it is the law, keeping the law, that IS considered by many to be these works although some do see another side of this which can be seen in the display of giving and kindness in the world where the motive is to DO right for one’s own salvation. In this latter part there is some Christian hypocrisy as some denominations teach the idea of faith NOT works but at the same time encourage giving in order that one can receive. This however is not our theme today; we cite these ideas again for the purpose of Paul’s words to the Galatians, that we might be able to see that this same chapter that is presumed to declare that the law CAN NOT save a man is the same chapter the itemizes for us the works of the flesh which ARE against the law and the fruit of the Spirit against which there IS NO law.
The reality that IS missed here and in ALL such ideas regarding faith and works IS the reality of True faith; that it IS NOT accomplished by affirmation and ritual in the world or a carnal assent to the Truth of Jesus and His saving grace. True faith IS spiritual and it declares that a man KNOWS the Truth of the Kingdom which the Master states for us as “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). In this we should see that there IS a need to keep His words and whether this comes about by keeping the law first or by the impulse of one’s own KNOWING faith, DOES NOT really matter and we should understand that to keep His words IS a man’s expression of that fruit of the Spirit and this IS the righteous works of a man in the world. The Master’s words according to Luke are yet more pointed in this matter as He rhetorically asks: “why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?“. This IS of course contrary to the ideas that we presented in that partial sermon that we included in our essay where the teacher is simply saying that it IS not possible to keep the law or to keep His words and this view is likely offered by many in support of the doctrine of faith NOT works. These same doctrines use vague and obscure ideas to change the reality of James’ words that “faith without works is dead” as they claim that James IS speaking about justification by works and that it IS in the use of certain words such as this that creates the difference. In the end however perhaps the only doctrinal defense for believing Paul over James is in the idea that as men in the world it IS impossible to keep the law.
“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:14-20).
In James words that follow our current selection we read “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (James 2:24) and this IS seen in direct opposition to Paul’s words saying: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand , and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (James 5:1). It IS here that many see the opposition of these positions and find cleaver ways to attribute meanings to James words that are for us clearly not the apostles intention. James’ position is simply that faith alone IS NOT enough to accomplish one’s spiritual goals in this world which, whether we see this as being saved or as being accounted worthy of the Kingdom of God, are in Jesus words accomplished by keeping His words. In the end there IS NO real opposition here but rather a clarification of the reality and the Truth of the very nature of True faith; that this IS NOT simply an affirmation based in the carnal mind and emotions but IS that sense of KNOWING the Truth which results in the changing of one’s Life, the reality of Repentance, from which one strives toward that strait gate. It IS in this True sense of faith that works come into one’s Life as the fruit that one bears and perhaps here we should affirm the idea that these things are required by the Master for any who choose to be His disciples. We of course relate this idea of discipleship with attaining the Kingdom, we see these as one single accomplishment and we should remember here the reality of the Master’s teaching as found in the Great Commission, so called; that His disciples should “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations….. teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19, 20; Revised Standard Version); here we should see the expected result of ALL our own works as aspirants and disciples and the anticipated works of those who claim to work in His Name.
James’ message here IS clear; that one must perform works or produce fruit and regardless of which way we look at this the idea IS the same. In this idea of works IS the reality of the apostle’s words on being a DOER as DOING IS the works of the spiritual man in the world. In speaking against works and the law Paul has a different agenda as he perhaps speaks against the ways of the Pharisees and others of their ilk who DID the most physical aspects of the law; they kept the religious traditions and ways and it IS here that the Master Himself speaks against them as we read:
“He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition” (Mark 7:6-9).
We should note here that this example of the ways of the Pharisees and other authorities of the Jews IS in their minds the working of the law much like the ideas yet today regarding the Passover and other traditional holidays; many believed that this ‘religious’ behavior IS the one’s works in the law and it IS precisely these empty works that Paul is dismissing; and this IS the attitude toward the law with which he finds fault as we read two posts back regarding circumcision. While Paul derides these type of works and promotes faith, he IS promoting True faith and not the carnal affirmation and the difference IS that in True faith a man WILL keep the word of God and be a DOER of that word. Paul then speaks against empty works while James speaks against empty faith and these ideas go hand in hand; empty works are of no avail to the man who would seek God, this man needs faith as it IS in faith that True works will come. James speaks against empty faith, against carnal affirmations of religion and belief that DO NOT produce any fruit, and the apostle calls this as it IS saying that “a man say he hath faith“; the keyword her IS say and his idea IS sure; that if a man DOES NOT DO works as keeping His words then the faith that he may say he has is of no avail. Here we have the same thoughts from different perspectives; Paul sees men busily doing what they believe are works which ARE NOT from the heart but from the personality, the carnal self, and he tells us that we must have faith which will bring forth the True fruit and his intention IS True faith. James sees men saying that they have faith but if what they believe is faith is but a carnal affirmation which produces NO fruit then this faith IS dead without works, in his words we should see that True faith will bring forth the fruit of one’s Life…his works.
And there IS one other thing to consider here, both apostles write in a parabolic tone making the True understanding a difficult thing for the man whose focus is in the self and the things of the self in the world. This man will tend to choose ideas and interpretations that fit within the worldly vision of Life while the disciple will interpret the words of the Master and His apostles into more spiritual ideas based upon his KNOWING, his faith if you will. In this IS the reality of a man’s focus and this has ever been True; ALL men whose lives ARE tied to the world and the things of the world will be inclined to interpret scripture in a way that best suits his needs and in this we should see the reality of degree, that IS the degree of focus upon the self versus focus upon the Truth of God. The man whose focus IS upon the things of God will KNOW by degree what this faith Truly IS and what it means, and in this KNOWING IS the works of the man and the fruit of his expression will grow as the mustard seed in the Master’s short parable on the Kingdom of God: “The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof” (Matthew 13:31-32). Here we have the smallest of beginnings, a mere glimpse of the Truth, which if sown in one’s Life will grow into the greatness of the Kingdom of God Within; not within the form nor the personality, but within the Life and the conscious expression of the man in the world. We should add here that as this tree grows from the smallest of seeds, it bears fruit and this fruit is the expression of the man; this expression IS his own works of his own growing divine presence. In this we should see that both the faith and the works grow together.
James is adamant about this idea of faith and works and while he may not see this as we do, he DOES see it clearly; he begins with the question and goes on to answer that question saying “faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” and in the answer we should try to see that the works ARE the result of the faith. And so that we understand his point he repeats the conclusion saying that “O vain man, that faith without works is dead“; here we should note that this man who DOES NOT see this relationship is called vain. He then gives us yet another analogy for the deadness of this workless faith saying: “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:26). James uses the idea of dead here in relation to faith and in this idea we should see Lifelessness but we should also see the idea of death as this IS used in the New Testament where there is a strong relationship to sin. Here, if we can see that sin IS the ways of the world, we can understand that James’ parabolically phrased idea IS that this faith that DOES NOT result in works IS as sin….it IS of the world. There is a shortage of words to properly express this idea but the basis is found in the apostle’s words from the first chapter where we read “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:15). Paul uses this idea several times in his writing as he makes reference to “the law of sin and death” and his saying that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23, 8:2). Paul offers us several more convoluted sayings on this link between sin and death which he uses to show a number of realities but these listed are pertinent to our point that James’ use of dead in relation to faith that has NO works is intended to carry a similar idea.
James ideas here CAN NOT be dismissed in favor of what is interpreted by doctrine from Paul’s writings as they are by many. It IS interesting to note that our normal commentators DO treat these words from James more properly than those of the doctrine that we discussed in the last essay and perhaps a reason for this is found in the march of time as our commentators are from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Whether today’s doctrines are more slanted toward this justification by faith alone as interpreted from Paul’s words or if they have always been seen the same is uncertain; we only KNOW that our commentaries liberally interpret James words. This view may change as we look at their ideas regarding Paul’s sayings that are used in this doctrinal sense of faith alone and we will try to discover this as part of our future series of essays on this subject. Here however we are convinced by James and by the words of the Master and the other apostles that this relationship between faith and works is sound and that in the reality of True faith, that works will flow as the expression of the man in the world; his expression of the fruit of the Spirit.
James continues in this discussion of faith and works by including some Old Testament examples to go along with the example in our current selection; we will discuss these and that most obscure saying that “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble” in our next post. These next sayings are:
“Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:21-26).
We will continue with our thoughts in the next post.
| Aspect |
Potency |
Aspect of Man |
In Relation to the Great Invocation |
In relation to the Christ |
|
GOD, The Father |
Will or Power |
Spirit or Life |
Center where the Will of God IS KNOWN |
Life |
|
Son, The Christ |
Love and Wisdom |
Soul or Christ Within |
Heart of God |
Truth |
|
Holy Spirit |
Light or Activity |
Life Within |
Mind of God |
Way |
Note on the Quote of the Day
This daily blog also has a Quote of the Day which may not be in any way related to the essay. Many of these will be from the Bible and some just prayers or meditations that may have an influence on you and are in line with the subject matter of this blog. As the quote will change daily and will not store with the post, it is repeated in this section with the book reference and comment.
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful (Colossians 3:12-15).
In this Quote of the Day we find the Apostle Paul speaking to the followers and believers at Colosse and instructing them in how it is that they should act and be. These are the virtues which establish the ways of disciples of the Master. We note here that Paul tells us the importance of Love which is translated here as Charity but which we know from previous posts is from the same Greek word as Love. We should see also that it is the same Love that we defined as a combination of our English definitions of both words, Love and Charity:
In a general sense love is benevolence, good will; that disposition of heart which inclines men to think favorably of their fellow men, and to do them good. In a theological sense, it includes supreme love to God, and universal good will to men. Plus the ever important High Ideal as taught by the Christ: “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (Matthew 7:12).
Paul ends this with what comes naturally when we are in the Presence of the Master and this is to be in His Peace; as we seek and we strive toward Him we should notice the aura of Peace that overcomes us and in that Peace we find all of the virtues enumerated above.
