03 June 2023
In Chapter 3, James warns that teachers are held to a higher standard than others for what they say. He goes on at length about how the tongue is easily the hardest part of our fleshly nature to restrain. Get your mouth right and everything else should be a lot easier. Then again, don't expect much, because it really is that hard. Thus, it becomes another basic principle of Christian Law that we emphasize controlling our tongues.
The rest of the chapter warns Hebrew Christians to be nothing at all like common rabbinical students and teachers. They were known for being ambitious, always trying to show how clever they were, in order to gain social standing among their peers. The human wisdom of Hellenized reason is fleshly and demonic, while spiritual wisdom is peaceful and approachable.
Chapter 4 carries on with a related matter: self-denial. This is another basic principle of moral law. To feed the fleshly nature squelches the Holy Spirit. James refers to the Jewish reflex for pandering to the fleshly nature via things like the False Messianic Expectations. Jews believe that the entire world ought to be theirs, and that all humanity should be their slaves. Nothing in the Old Testament says that, and its certainly not part of Christian teaching.
It can lead to a very materialistic lifestyle, such as suing your fellow believers over petty things. This is where James reminds Hebrew Christians that everything depends on God's will, not greedy ambitions. Don't presume on the grace of God, because He might decide you need some poverty in order to serve Him. It becomes a principle of Christian Law that you are accountable, not just for doing things right, but doing the right thing instead of doing nothing.
Chapter 5 continues with a condemnation of the typical behavior of prosperous Jews. The whole point of Moses demanding you pay at the end of the day is because, unlike the wealthy, most peasant laborers did not have pocket money or a full pantry year-round. Those willing to work as seasonal laborers get that way because they had nothing in the first place. Stop and think about what it would be like to have no financial padding; don't assume good and righteous people always have something to fall back on. That was an ugly false doctrine of the Pharisees -- that the poor were accursed and warranted no consideration. The old "collect early and pay late" is evil.
Be patient with God to work things out. The ancient Hebrews bore the ideal of having a long view of things, waiting for things to come ripe. The mark of Pharisaical Hellenism was to ration out time and push a tight schedule, quite contrary to the Hebrew outlook. Thus, James castigates his readers for trying to hurry the Return of Christ, based on their human reckoning of when it ought to come. They were trying to schedule their lives based on something for which they had no valid expectation. James mentions the patience of Job.
Then he nails down with very few words the evil of the Pharisaical system of oaths, swearing by this or that, and which was legally binding and which was not. Just speak the truth and stop playing games.
The final verses depict a communal lifestyle impossible under the Talmud, but very much according to the teachings of Jesus. The social stratification and classification of the Jews was evil. Those who follow Christ must walk as close-knit children of the same Father. Pray for each other, and act as if it will always answer your needs in due time. It's not your righteousness that wins your requests, but the submission to God as your Master.
Something James says in the middle of this shows just how much of a scandal the modern mainstream churches are. Is there anyone in a church that you would trust with your private temptations? Doing so would cause a scandal and you'd be run out the door. If not, you would surely be marginalized. In a real church, it would be like family living under the same roof -- you couldn't avoid them knowing your fleshly flaws. By confessing it, you thus agree with God's condemnation of sin, and asking them to pray with you to stay out of temptation. And a real family would support you and try to help you without being unreasonably harsh, because nobody is pure enough to lord it over anyone else.
That we are not like that is why we don't have the miracles like Elijah's effective prayers. Just like the fake Pharisees, we are taught to take ourselves too seriously. Do you suppose it would be a good point of Christian Law to say, "Don't take yourself too seriously"?
Comments
DarkMirror
"Don't take yourself too seriously" might look different for different people. It could mean "don't hold onto some things very tightly, because they might be taken away some day," or the like.
Catacomb Resident
That's valid. Not holding on presumes you know better than to think it depends on you.
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