If you would rather listen to this, it's posted at https://www.fellowshipbaptist-pa.org/sermons-studies, under January 17, 2021.
Introduction
I wrote this introduction back in April. I stumbled upon it
when I was looking for my previous sermons, so I could get the format right.
“Well, I think I just found my intro, Tracy.” This really hit home for me.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, as I am working from home and
rarely leaving the house, interacting with people other than my immediate
family electronically, I'm finding that my noticing other people's foibles and
imperfections is amplified, straining my ability to tolerate them. I find it
increasingly difficult to extend the grace that God has given me to some people
in my life. At the same time, I find myself counseling others that they need to
extend grace to people for these very reasons. So I find myself saying what
Paul said in Rom 7:14 NASB
During my morning prayer to kick off my workday, (which also
hasn't been happening like I want) I prayed about this, and these thoughts came
to me, which I wanted to write down. Hence this post.
How do I do what I would like to do, rather than what I hate?
First I have to indeed want to hate
it. At the moment, I don't want to hate getting irritated by other people. I'm
enjoying getting irritated and feeling superior. That's my flesh talking. So
this morning, first I prayed that God help me extend the grace he's given me.
But then I realized that I don't really want to extend it. So I changed my
prayer to ask Him to get me to WANT to extend the grace. I do WANT to want to
show grace. So that must be my regenerated spirit. Without a regenerate spirit,
with Christ's life in me, I wouldn't be indwelt by the Holy Spirit, so I
couldn't want anything other than to satisfy my flesh. So I think I'm on the
right track today: at the very start of a potentially long track, but the right
track at least.
Today we will look at the letter of James, starting with
chapter 1, starting with verse 19. Eventually we'll read to verse 27, and then
part of chapter 3. I think it applies to the idea of the flesh, and of getting
irritated by others, and actually wanting to extend grace to others.
James is the book that tells us that faith without works is
dead. When I read it, it seems very practical. It gives us a lot of direction
on what we are supposed to do, how we are supposed to act, and what state our
heart needs to be in while we're doing it. James makes it very clear that our
works don't save us, but rather are more of a reflection of and a result of
what's in our heart. We glorify God – make Him visible – with our works. We do
the works not to earn His favor, but to glorify Him.
The Scripture
So here is James chapter 1, starting in verse 19.
19 You know this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Now everyone must be quick
to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; 20 for a man’s anger does not bring
about the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, ridding yourselves of all
filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word
implanted, which is able to save your souls.
Let's stop here for a minute. First off, James says “You know
this”. If this were spoken, I can imagine a tone that says “Come on people,
we've talked about this!” So maybe this has been an ongoing problem. Now, it
doesn't actually say that, but I don't think it's a stretch. Maybe this is
something we need to be reminded of from time to time.
Back to what is written -
he tells us that man's anger doesn't bring about God's righteousness. I
think you could substitute “irritation” or “ungrace” for anger here and it
still works.
Also, let's examine the word “receive”. Does that mean just
to get it and put it on the shelf? Is it like when your hands are full and
someone brings you the mail? You'd say “Just leave it over there for me”. Did
you receive it? Let's look elsewhere in Scripture for that word.
The first occurrence of the word receive that I found is in
Genesis 4:11
Since the Old and New Testaments were written in different
languages, I can't be sure. But, I think this one means the same thing that
James means, since he says to “receive the word implanted.”. It seems to imply
action as well. In the case of the mail, in order to receive it, you need to
pick it up and use it for its purpose. Its purpose might be for you to move it
to the trash can, to enjoy a photo of your friends' kids, or to learn that you
forgot to pay the water bill. In the case of of the Word, one of its purposes
is get inside of you and become a part of you, so you can know God.
James says to receive it in humility. I like to be reminded
to be humble. I'm quite proud of how humble I am, so for me it feels like a pat
on the back. But every once in a while, I slip and pride rears its ugly head.
Pride seems to lead to all manner of sin, maybe all sin, since if we are honest
with ourselves it usually means we think we know better than God. We need to
remember Whose word this is, and view ourselves in perspective to Him. That
ought to keep us humble.
The key points in this first part are:
•
Listen
•
Don't talk so much
•
Don't get angry so much
•
Humbly receive God's Word.
Continuing in James chapter 1, verses 22 to 27
Explanation
James 3:1-5
He compares teachers to a horse's headgear and to a ship's
rudder. The bridle is where the bit and the reigns are attached. It is the way
a rider controls the horse. Of course the rudder is what controls the ship's
direction. James makes the point that compared to a horse, the bit, reins, and
bridle are small, yet they are enough to control the entire horse. Similarly, a
ship is controlled by a relatively small rudder. Small pieces, large effects.
He uses these images to say that a small number of teachers can steer an entire
church body.
Similarly, our tongues are small, yet they are capable of
very large effects, so we usually don't need to say too much. Barry likes to
quote me, although I don't think I am really the source, to “preach the Gospel.
If necessary, use words.” Like a small
flame that can result in an entire forest being set on fire. Fire itself isn't
inherently bad, of course. But it must be used carefully, and rather sparingly.
And verses 10-11 tell us to make it only a source of good, not bitterness.
Application
If we apply this part more broadly, I think it tells us that
the body doesn't need that many advisers. People just don't need our advice
about their walks all that often. Now if they ask, of course engage with them.
But unbidden, it's probably not necessary, and almost never when talking about
someone not present – then it's likely to be gossip. Someone really
doesn't need my advice on what sin I see in yet another's life. If you can find
a verse that contradicts that, I am open to correction. I am asking for
your advice.
I believe all of this supports my assertion that Scripture is
supposed to be mostly a mirror, rather than a window. It is primarily for
examining our own hearts, not putting between us of while we examine someone
else's life. Worse yet, it is not to be used as a telescope, to watch others
from afar, or a microscope to inspect others. And for most of us, it is not
primarily for advising others; otherwise, we'd all need to be teachers.
However, this doesn't mean we are supposed to completely
ignore what other people are doing. That's why I said “mostly a mirror”. I
wonder if Scripture gives us any idea of how much looking outward vs. looking
inward we should be doing.
The book of James contains 102 verses in 5 chapters. Here are
the last 2, James 5:19-20:
Those are the only verses that say anything about correcting
another's course. So we do have a role in helping others to get back on course.
However, the other 100 verses essentially direct the reader to examine his own
heart. Saying things like:
I believe that my theory is supported elsewhere in Scripture.
In prepping for this sermon, I found at least 6 pages’ worth of verses about
examining oneself. I just give you one example:
Proverbs 10:14,17-19
This is a pattern throughout Scripture. It instructs the
reader in what to do, not in what the reader should make sure someone else does
or what to think about what someone else is doing. It's usually not telling us
to look at them at all, except to see when someone is in need so we can help
them, or sometimes saying that we're behaving as badly as they are. A case
could be made that verse 17 is telling us to look at someone else, but even
that, the warning is not to go where they lead. The guidance about watching others
is about what we're supposed to do.
When we focus on what others are doing, we begin to think
better of what we’re doing than we should. I'd also like to caution assuming
you know another's motives for something. Humans have a tendency to assume
their own motives are positive and that someone else's are selfish. What do you
think might cause this? Could that be our old enemy, pride?
However, the idea to examine ourselves is doesn't mean to do
it exclusively. I mentioned the last two verses of James, talking about leading
someone back to the truth. Should Christians call out sin? My answer is “very
carefully.” We need to make sure we’ve checked in our own heart, our own sin,
our motivation, and what we hope is the outcome. We have to make sure what we’re
addressing is scriptural, and not just based on our own preferences or
biases. We must be mindful of the flaws
in our own strengths. What? Flaws in our strengths? Well many strengths,
carried to extremes, can become weaknesses. Some of us have good memories. Some
of us are verbally articulate. Some of us place a high value on truth and
accuracy. However, under the influence of pride, any of these strengths can
become a weakness when we also mix in a little of our flesh. So again, use
Scripture as a mirror, a lot, before talking to someone else about their sins.
And ultimately, we need to have a relationship with the other
person that is built around trust. I've heard many times that we must earn
the right to counsel someone else about their sins. “They won't care what you
know until they know that you care”. If we don't have that, the answer about
calling out sin is almost always “no”. Really, what's the point? Would calling
out sin to someone you don't have a trusting relationship with lead to their repentance?
Would it glorify God? It might. But in my opinion, it rarely does. I think to
believe otherwise is prideful.
Let me be clear on this though: I will never compromise on
what the Bible says is sin. If someone asks me, I will answer truthfully with
what the Bible says, and also that it says it clearly and that I believe it. If
they are asking, it would be prideful not to share what I know; their
asking is a sign that God is working on them. But if they aren't asking, and I
don't see any evidence of the Spirit working in them in this regard, I think
there is no point. In these cases, I believe it is my job to love them, model
Godly behavior, preach the truth without words, and let the Holy
Spirit do His job to convict and draw people to themselves.
Even among people who “claim to be believers”. To me, the
subtext of that statement is “but I don't think they're really
saved,” to which I respond “that's not your call”. It's fair to talk about what
they think it means to be saved to make sure they understand, so you know how
to talk with them. But the presence of a particular sin in their lives does not
mean they are not saved. If it does, we're all in trouble. So if they say they
are saved and seem to understand what that means, I believe them. As such, I
believe the Holy Spirit indwells them, exactly the same Holy Spirit who
indwells me, in exactly the same way. If He indwells them, He will take care of
whatever adjustments they need. (This same idea applies to a believer's
motives, btw) That same Holy Spirit within me will compel me to get involved if
He wants me to, probably by compelling the other person to involve me somehow.
Maybe they'll bring it up in discussion. If so, my advice is to lead with a
question like “Do you know what the Bible says about that? Let's look.” And
that's different than “Do you know the Bible says that is sin?” Do you see the
difference? One is inviting, the other says “you're wrong, I'm right, and I can
prove it.” Discerning whether it's the Spirit's guidance or my flesh is
crucial. It's probably a good idea to ask for some advice from another mature
believer.
There are places in Scripture, like Matthew 18:16,
that tell us how to address someone who is openly sinning in our congregation;
however, in the nine years I've been a member of FBC, I have not been called
upon to act in that capacity. Also, I'm not talking about my own children here.
It is my responsibility to teach them God's ways and correct them.
Conclusion
My overall point is that Scripture is to be used MUCH more as
a mirror than a window. In James, the ratio between verses about looking at
myself vs. looking at others is 50:1. In nine years at FBC I have not been
called to discipline anyone. So slow down and ask yourself if you really are in
that one-in-50 situation.
To wrap up, I ask you if you're using Scripture as a mirror
most of the time. Are you spending time examining your own heart, or are you
spending more time looking at what others are doing? Are you seeing yourself as
a vast store of wisdom that everyone should be benefiting from, or are you
showing it by your works and waiting for them to come to you? Are you trying to
be a rudder, when really what we need is more rowers or someone to swap the
deck? If you are, guess what I'm going to say – turn to Scripture and examine
your own heart – a lot – before you talk to them or someone else about their
sin or what they really need to do. I think that if you are really
listening, 98 times out of 100, you will see things very differently.
I want to leave you with some encouraging words, and they are
these: you don't have to do any of this on your own. In fact, it's not just
foolish, but wrong, to try. Scripture tells us we have help – here are three
verses.
