Reflections On James

WED., SEPT. 6, 2000, 8:35 AM
OFFICE, PULLIAM

Well, once again you have read, and, hopefully, absorbed some more of James, one of My servants in the days of My life, as Jesus, here on earth. Each time you read this… and, particularly, give thought to the underlined and checked portions of the Letter… you find some further “inconsistencies.” James, writing to new Christians (and he must not have been a “professional writer”), seems to feel that faith, if claimed, must be demonstrated in some tangible way. His most memorable one liner remains – “faith without works is dead.”

Hear Me when I both agree with this affirmation and also say that it is a “balancing” statement rather than a free-standing truth. Actually, as in many “aspects” of the Christian way, it is an assurance to some who do not find it easy and comfortable to just “have faith” in Christ and in the whole Christian story. The “alternative” is: serve others, do good works, and from such actions will come acceptance by Christ and faith will “come,” in increased forms. It should not be taken as disparagement of those who just have faith easily, and truly don’t “need” to bolster it with good works.

It is a recognition (though not so stated) of diversity in those who hear The Word and have some motivation to accept My love and guidance. At one extreme are people who respond easily and quickly to The Word… who have faith with little to no effort. (In the perspective that you and I have, this may have developed in a spirit with “some experience,” in the earth as a human or in some spiritual realm or realms. Oh, faith could be evidenced by a “brand-new” spirit, but this isn’t as “likely.”) Another factor is the culture and the family in which a spirit/soul finds “himself”; some situations encourage faith and acceptance of Me in compelling ways, with little “opposition.” Conversely, your culture is one that favors the secular, with not much encouragement of faith in Me… or… offers different and conflicting approaches to Me.

Thus, I like the interpretation of My servant James’ affirmation that if one finds it hard to have faith, live a life of service to others, to the Church, to the physical environment, even. And out of this service may come the faith that wouldn’t come when one tries to develop it directly. Or conversely, if one has faith, again easily and comfortably, this should motivate them to “doing works” of some kind, of service to others, the Church, the environment.

Yet recognize and accept that for “everyone” this is not some “magic formula.” Being of service may not encourage faith (at least immediately), but the service may be worthwhile, in and of itself. Or… having faith may not encourage great works to illuminate that faith. Age can be a factor – consider your own personal situation now: throughout your life you have served the Church in a variety of ways. These have been demonstrations of your faith AND means for increasing and deepening your faith. Now what is called for is a different kind of “works” – contemplation of how your life has been and reflection on the present relationship between thee and Me. Hence, these Teachings are “works” (in that they take both time and effort), which have value in “themselves,” AND are the basis for other “works” – Our Ruminations.

(You noted, also and again, that James expected My “Coming Again” to complete human history. He was obviously wrong in this expectation. Life goes on, here in the earth, with much “opposition” to My Will and Way. And, as I’ve told you, I am responsible for these conditions, part of a “plan” that James didn’t recognize. I do see the present earth scene as the Best for spiritual growth, in contrast to some of the other realms, which could be described as “more idyllic.” I, Holy Spirit, am responsible for most of what seem to be contradictions or inconsistencies in Holy Scripture. There must needs be some challenges to faith, and some of these are such.)