James 1:26-27
There is a difference between looking spiritual and actually becoming more like Jesus. You can own three Bibles, highlight half the New Testament, know every verse of “Amazing Grace” and still leave wounded people everywhere you go. You can even put a Christian bumper sticker on your car while driving in a way that makes everyone behind you wonder whether you have ever read the Sermon on the Mount.
James does not let us hide behind appearances. “If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless” (James 1:26, NLT).
James certainly did not believe in easing into a conversation. He begins with our words because our words eventually reveal our hearts. It is fairly easy to sound spiritual for an hour on Sunday. The real test comes on Tuesday morning when we are tired, irritated, inconvenienced or dealing with that one person who seems to have the spiritual gift of annoyance.
James then describes what God considers “pure and genuine religion.” It includes caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt us. Notice what he does not mention. James does not measure faith by how impressive our prayers sound, how many Christian books we own or whether we know how to use words like “sanctification” without looking nervous.
He points to compassion and holiness.
Real faith notices hurting people.
Real faith moves toward people in need instead of pretending not to see them.
Real faith chooses integrity when compromise would be easier and considerably more convenient.
None of this comes naturally. Left alone, most of us drift toward comfort, selfishness and whatever requires the least amount of effort. Thankfully, Jesus did not merely tell us to care for helpless people. He came to rescue helpless people like us. His grace changes more than our Sunday schedule. It changes our words, priorities, relationships and choices.
So today, do not only ask, “Do I look like a Christian?” Ask, “Can people see Jesus in the way I speak, love, serve and live?”
Faith that never reaches our mouth, hands, calendar or relationships has not reached very far. Genuine faith is not something we display. It is something Jesus forms within us and lives through us.