By Michael Mitchell
Your Pastor Speaks
As a church we are walking through the book of James in the month of September. James provides us with so many practical instructions on how to live out the Gospel message of Jesus.
As one of the leaders in the church (Jewish people who believed that Jesus was the Messiah) at Jerusalem, James wrote from that city before the Jerusalem Council, which Luke wrote about in Acts 15. This council met in AD 49, meaning James likely wrote his letter in AD 45–48. It was there that James, along with Peter and Paul, affirmed the decision to take the gospel message to the Gentiles (non-Jewish believers that Jesus was the Messiah). James then wrote to a Jewish Christian audience with his letter, and it would be wise for us to remember it.
Throughout the book, James contends that faith produces a true action and reflection of Jesus. In other words, if these people who call themselves followers of Jesus truly believe it, their lives will produce action and/or fruit.
So, what does our fruit look like? More than any other book in the New Testament, James places the spotlight on the necessity for believers to act in accordance with our faith. How well do your actions mirror the faith that you proclaim? James takes a hard stance against prejudice, lying, slander, false testimony and generally making Jesus look bad by the way we act and speak.
I know that I am not perfect, and I fall short of God’s glory constantly, especially at sporting events. I let the world overwhelm my decisions and occasionally the way that I speak. I also know that Jesus provides for me the forgiveness that makes it possible for me to call myself a follower of His. Social media has taught us that we can say whatever we want, and judge whoever we want. I believe that in this moment of tension and an upcoming election, we must be careful with how we represent Jesus to a world that really needs to see Him. Are we causing others to miss this wonderful grace, mercy, and love because of the way we act, speak, and post on social media?
Again, what is our fruit? I hope and pray that we take some time, slow down, and make sure that we become people who are slow to speak, slow to get angry, and quick to listen. A little reflection before we react can make a world of difference for ourselves, and in the way that others see Jesus through us.
Michael Mitchell is the pastor at Maplewood Methodist Church.
