Follow the Leader

One of the games I played growing up was ‘Follow the Leader.’ Anyone who has been a child has played this game, but do we realize it grows with us? The game and its rules change as we grow. In high school, we are encouraged to be the best at everything we do and always seek our friends’ approval and the world in general. Parents encourage children to get the best grades and to get into a good college. To marry the right person and to have the ‘right’ job.

This game is also played within the walls of the church. The profession of faith does not grow good works, but we should evaluate the validity of our salvation experience. James begins to expand on his already-discussed concerns: “to look after orphans and widows in their distress” (1:27) . There were believers among them who had true physical needs, lacking the necessities of life. If they were orphans and widows, there was no way to earn a living.

Though there was plenty of money in the Jewish coffers in the various synagogues, if the people professed Christ, they were excommunicated from the Jewish community. The Roman Empire had no welfare system and no way to meet their physical needs. This is what happened in Jerusalem when the Hellenistic Jewish widows were neglected in the daily distribution of food (Acts 6:1-2). James was very aware of God’s instructions in the Old Testament. Moses stated, For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land’ (Deuteronomy 15:11.).

It’s also significant when James and other apostles endorsed Paul’s mission to the Gentiles; they specifically asked him to “remember the poor” (Galatians 2:10). In this letter, James was questioning the reality of the faith of some in his audience because of their selfish and materialistic attitudes and actions. James was not teaching that good works save us, but that true saving faith will eventually produce good works.

1. To apply the ‘good works’ principle, how can you not become judgmental of fellow Christians?
2. In what ways have you tried to encourage others?