"James 2-5, Galatians 1"
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There's a funny scene in the old show, Taxi, where a guy taking a driver's test — played by Christopher Lloyd — asks, "What does a yellow light mean?" Someone tells him, "Slow down." So Christopher Lloyd slows down, asking, "Whaaat doooes aaa yeellooow liiight meean?" The guy says, "Slow down!" And Christopher Lloyd continues repeating the phrase slower and slower! When I think of the book of James, I think of that question, "what does a yellow light mean?" and I remind myself that my relationship with God often has to do with slowing down and really listening to what he has to say.
You might remember a helpful, pithy verse we read on Friday:
"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger" (James 1:19).
This verse contains some of James' major themes, with its emphasis on how we listen, speak, and manage our anger. The book of James begins and ends with instruction about trials (James 1:2-18 and 5:1-18), but in between, we find a challenging collection of sayings that force us to examine our daily lives.
Quick to Hear
Like a mirror, hearing God's word shows us who we are so that we can change (James 1:22-25), not so that we can play at worthless religion (James 1:26-27). On Monday, James develops the theme further, challenging us to fulfill the law and live our faith.
- If we love our neighbors as ourselves, we can't pick and choose who to treat with honor. All of God's laws matter, so hear and apply them all (James 2:1-13).
- Just like hearing the word without doing it is useless, empty words (James 2:15-16) and shuddering belief (James 2:19) mean nothing until our faith lives in our works (James 2:14-26).
Slow to Speak
On Tuesday, we'll take a hard look at what we say, in James' famous examination of the tongue (James 3:1-12). Are you consistent in speaking only pure and helpful words? Where can you improve the use of your tongue?
Slow to Anger
When James returns to the theme of wisdom (James 3:13-18; cf. James 1:5), he describes a meek (James 3:13; cf. James 1:20-21) and gentle, peaceable attitude (James 3:17) that produces righteousness (James 3:18), something that the anger of man never can produce (James 1:20). When our passions war within us, we fight (James 4:1), but when we humble ourselves before God, he helps us (James 4:11). Such humility will lead us to submit to the leadership of God, knowing our lives are in his hands (James 4:13-17).
Never Quick to Desert
On Friday, we'll start Paul's letter to the Galatians who — to Paul's astonishment — are "quickly deserting" God and "turning to a different gospel" (Gal. 1:6). False teachers convinced them that they had to submit to the Mosaic law to be God's people. Why do you think Paul brought up his background and his relationship with the leaders in the Jerusalem church? What does Paul say about those who bring us any other gospel? Where did Paul get the gospel he preaches?
