The Wise, The Wicked, and the Whatever's
Back by popular demand is our latest edition of the Shimmering Points of Scripture. This week we finish up our series on the Letter of James. 2 weeks ago we started talking about the problem that Protestant's have with the book of James. We realize that noted theologian Martin Luther, the father of protestantism, did not like James at all. He called it the Epistle (letter) of straw. Mainly he did not like the idea that works were necessary for faith as James would claim. We also noted that we as United Methodists can look to John Wesley who said that works were necessary, not only as a response to faith, but may also be the very thing that leads people to faith.
Last week we talked about watching what we say, noting that on our Christian Education kickoff James warned us not to strive to be teachers. Then we calmed down and looked at the overall point that leadership has a responsibility to set an example of right speech and right behavior, and also that we as Christians have that responsibility also.
This week we bring it all back around as we talk about wisdom, and wickedness, and our ambivalence to all of it sometimes.
James asks who among us is wise and how do we know it. The main thing is that we know it is partially through the works that we do, but just as important is the spirit in which they are done. If our actions generate a spirit of gentleness, calm, and peace, then we can see true wisdom in action. Someone pointed out that at their grandmothers funeral, people commented on what a Christian woman she was and when asked specifically, they said it was here spirit and demeanor that spoke to them. It is not always easy to know how to tell the difference between knowledge and wisdom, but as another person stated knowledge is understanding that a tomato is actually a fruit and not a vegetable by definition. Wisdom is understanding that you do not put tomato in a fruit salad!
When we come to recognizing what is wicked we also have a difficult time. Not because we like it but usually when we think of wicked we jump to the Wizard of Oz and the wicked witch of the west. Everyone can see that is wicked. But in real life we don't see green skin and brooms. So how do we see when the ways of the world are influencing us. James is very clear that when we do things out of bitter envy, or boastfulness, then we are probably following the ways of the world and our own self centered desires, rather than a Christ centered desire. When we are false to the truth, when we spread disorder rather than peace, when we seek to bring down others so that we may be lifted up, that is the way of the wickedness of the world. It was shared that it can be hard to distinguish between the two, because there is so much goodness in us, yet at the same time there is the same amount of wickedness in us too that it is not worth keeping score. That is true enough to a degree, yet we are reminded that we also rely on the grace of God, in order to turn away from that wicked tendency.
The third point is about the whatever's. These are the people who don't want to get caught up in the whole mess, try to stay above the fray, or see what can happen with the first two that they really just walk away. We this demonstrated mostly come election time, where attitudes are expressed in terms of "my vote won't make a difference" or "It doesn't matter who wins, nothing is going to change, so why try." In the religious realm we this in people who claim to be religious or spiritual, but don't go to church because they had a bad experience. So whatever. Well this is dangerous too, as it can promote the status-quo, and in fact nothing will change. The church has a responsibility to act in wise ways so that we do not produce whatever's. The danger here is also in the fact that we can too easily loose the ability to distinguish between what is good and what necessarily is not.
A benign but true example, for me is TV. We have a standard definition TV, which has served us for many years. It still works great. But of course HD is the way to go now. I walk by them now in the store and I find myself looking more intently than I did before. The prices have come way down on these now. It's football season too and here is Payton Manning, one of the premiere players in the league saying in a commercial "You aren't watching football in standard def. are you?" My response is o my, yes I am. There must be something wrong with me. Do you see the subtle message, there? If I don't have the new there is something wrong. Now in and of itself there is nothing wrong with this. One day I probably will get one, but not now. Today it would be the exact wrong thing for me to do. My priorities lie elsewhere, yet I must fight everyday, because "they"are telling me this should be my priority.
Overall our top priority should be honoring God. We do that when we do good works, when we demonstrate wisdom and compassion, and we know we are in right relationship because we are at peace. As we go forward to serve, let us acknowledge what is good in the world, what is good in others, and set our priorities on the things that will build one another up. We can do this even when we fall short for God is with us.
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