Jenny’s letter 8th September
Dear Friends,
The letter of James was one of the last pieces of writing to be added to the canon of scripture. The Canon which forms the books of the Bible (without the apocrypha) was finally agreed on by the church in the East and the West at the Council of Carthage in 367 CE.
It is thought the letter was written at the turn of the first century so, it was written neither by St. James son of Zebedee, who died as a martyr before 44 CE, nor by James the Lord’s Brother, whose martyrdom is reported as 62 CE.
Does it matter that we don’t know who wrote it? Does it make it any the less important? The straightforward answer to both of those questions is ‘No’.
We believe that the early church took great care over the selection of writing within The Bible and that all that the Bible contains is ‘God breathed.’
The letter of James is written to the early church, dispersed into the edges of what we now call Europe. It is likely that it is given an ambiguous authorship to add to its importance. The subject of it reflects early Jewish Christianity. The writer covers such topics as endurance under persecution; poverty and wealth; control of the tongue; care for orphans and widows; cursing, boasting, oaths, and prayer. All these things continue to challenge the church today and it is a book that faith leaders often turn to when directing their flocks.
One of the most famous lines of scripture comes from this letter (known also as a book of the Bible). It is often quoted as, ‘Faith without works is dead.’ James 2.17. Earlier the writer asks, ‘What good is it my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Is the writer implying that salvation comes not just through belief but through doing good things?
I am quite sure that many of the merchants who put up the churches in Birkenhead (which history records were never full) was because they were trying to buy their way into heaven. Martin Luther seemed to believe that this is what was being said when he called James’ letter ‘the epistle of straw’. I agree with Luther and perhaps, more importantly, St Paul that Salvation comes only through faith.
When we say, ‘I believe’ and we recognise our own sinful imperfections we are promised salvation. Salvation is not dependent on or attained by what we do, though Paul in 1 Corinthians 15 hints that how we live now may impact our eternal life. Salvation comes by faith, through grace, and with thanksgiving – to paraphrase John Wesley.
However, one of the marks of faith is the fruit of the Spirit and, thus a faith without evidence of any of these fruits: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, may well be considered dead.
I would also argue that living out the commandments that Jesus gives, namely: ‘Love God and love neighbour as ourselves’, calls us to action.
I wonder, what works your faith has led you to do? How has, or does, having Jesus as Lord of your life impact the way you spend your time, the hobbies and interests you take up, the work you have or have had, the places you visit, the use of your money, the volunteering of your time? How do you receive that from others?
A member of our congregation told me last week that they found it hard to ask and receive help from others. I am sure they are not alone. But have you ever thought that, by asking for help, you enable another person to live out their faith more fully?
In listening to what Jesus wants for St Barnabas Church in Bromborough, one of the things that is constantly in my mind is being a church where faith deepens and grows but where we also live out that faith in practical terms.
I hear a few of you saying, ‘but I am too old to do stuff’. You are not too old to manage your budget and support the works of the church. You are not too old to pray for those who are actively engaged in volunteering. You are not too old to talk to people. Molly Shaw may not be able to work in the kitchen but when she is well enough to come and sit in the café, she has an active ministry amongst the people who visit that place.
I am aware that the reach of this newsletter is now so great now that there are some of you reading this who do many good things but who do not have faith.
Faith is a gift from God. If it’s a gift you wish for then ask God directly or come and have a chat with me or another in church.
My faith has grown over my life, but I still have wobbly days. Remember that Jesus says even if your faith is as small as a mustard seed, all things can be achieved (Matthew 17.20 paraphrased).
Every blessing.
