James tells us, without disclaimer...
Illustration
James tells us, without disclaimer or qualification, what it means to be religious. He does not define religion by quoting doctrine or equate it with liturgical accomplishment. It has nothing to do with meeting the quotas of evangelism.
To James, religion is helping the down-and-out get up-and-in. Sanctification, the continuing process of religion, is wrapped up in the outstretched hand of service.
Could that be it? Could religion be more duty performed than doctrine proclaimed? Deeds and not creeds?
And is this not why we've had to call that unlikely hero of one of our Lord's best stories the Good Samaritan. Yes, we know what made him good. Not the recitation of a rote catechism but the extension of his time, energy, and money in the activity of benevolence.
Is this not what Jesus was after when he said, in John 13:14, "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet."
Earl R. Allen, in Trials, Tragedies, and Triumphs, won't let us off the hook when he writes, "Oh, we are willing to follow his footsteps to the Mount of Transfiguration, to some other great height, to some glimpse of glory! But when they lead through the dark dungeons of service, such a foot-washing, then we hang back and are not willing to follow His example. If we do not serve, however, we are none of His" (page 38).
- Barnhart
To James, religion is helping the down-and-out get up-and-in. Sanctification, the continuing process of religion, is wrapped up in the outstretched hand of service.
Could that be it? Could religion be more duty performed than doctrine proclaimed? Deeds and not creeds?
And is this not why we've had to call that unlikely hero of one of our Lord's best stories the Good Samaritan. Yes, we know what made him good. Not the recitation of a rote catechism but the extension of his time, energy, and money in the activity of benevolence.
Is this not what Jesus was after when he said, in John 13:14, "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet."
Earl R. Allen, in Trials, Tragedies, and Triumphs, won't let us off the hook when he writes, "Oh, we are willing to follow his footsteps to the Mount of Transfiguration, to some other great height, to some glimpse of glory! But when they lead through the dark dungeons of service, such a foot-washing, then we hang back and are not willing to follow His example. If we do not serve, however, we are none of His" (page 38).
- Barnhart
