As I sit and write this morning’s reflections I
am personally reminded of the great responsibility I have as a new ‘teacher
& preacher’ within the Church community.
“Those that teach will be judged (by our Lord) more strictly” says
James. Sober words indeed. Anyone who would seek to teach others, those
that have humbly accepted God’s call to nurture the faith of others, and
declare the Good News of the Kingdom, have such a great responsibility before
God. And yet, James’ words are not just
limited to the preachers, they put the spotlight on all of us within the church
family. Sour words within the body of
Christ not only affects the Head (that is, Christ), but every organ
within. Moreover, the misuse of words
and speech within the body not only impacts the whole body, but also the
external appearance of the body. As the
Apostle John puts it: “A new command I
give you: Love one another. As I have
loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are
my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).
James doesn’t mince his words, and in tomorrow’s
reading he builds his challenge to engage with hot topic of humility. The appropriate use of our words should be
backed up by a humble, mouldable heart and will, before God. Lack of submission and humility are such a
key dimension to why we often find ourselves using unhelpful words. When we feel hurt; or we don’t get our own
way; or if we can’t be in control; or if someone cuts-us-up when we’re driving
in Bristol!? Unhelpful words sometimes
spill out of our mouths without a conscious thought.
Jesus challenges us with the stark truth that:
“out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks……..I tell you that men will
have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have
spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be
condemned.” (Matthew 12:34-37)
In line with this the Apostle Paul makes it clear
that “if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your
heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your
heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you
confess and are saved” (Romans 10:9-10).
Such is the significance of our speech and the condition of our heart.
As God’s dearly loved people he longs for us to
show our faith by our words and actions.
But as James remarks “with the tongue, we praise our Lord, and with it
we curse people, who have been made in God’s image. Out of the same mouth come praise and
cursing. My friends, this should not be”
(James 3:9-10).
The Apostle Peter echoes this call for us to
exercise a genuine sincere love for one another, and to demonstrate it: “Now that you have purified yourselves by
obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one
another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of
perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of
God” (1 Peter 1:22-23).
As a Church family we find ourselves in a season
of change, and pain for some. Let us
love one another sincerely, laying our burdens at Christ’s feet; humbly seeking
to heed James’ words to exercise God’s wisdom: that is peace-loving,
considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
(member of the staff team)