September 1st
Isn’t it frustrating when you are trying to follow a list of instructions and they appear to contradict themselves? Maybe this self-assembly kit was designed in another country and the instructions have been translated from another language? Maybe the person who wrote this has never actually tried to piece this thing together themselves? Maybe the person who wrote step 1 and step 2 is a completely different person to the one who wrote step 3 because it’s just not making any sense!
If this sounds all too familiar to you, you are probably a frustrated DIY-er like me, however in this case, I’m not trying to piece together an item of flat-pack furniture; surprising as it sounds, I’m actually trying to get my head around some apparently-contradictory passages in the New Testament section of the Bible!
On the one hand we have the apostle Paul who tells us (repeatedly) that in no way has our faith got anything to do with doing good works; the good work was all done by Jesus and there is never anything, ever, that we can add to that - our salvation is by grace alone. Step 1 and step 2 completed and understood! Then along comes James the brother of Jesus telling us that faith without good works is dead! Did these two apostolic church fathers ever compare notes?!! Has something been lost in translation somewhere along the line?!
On reflection, I think it’s a case of ‘who are these instructions addressed to?’ They each emphasise one particular angle because they are arguing their case with two very different opponents. Paul’s audience were a bit like the enthusiastic, semi-expert DIY-er (those pushing the Jewish Law) and James’ audience were more like the slightly lazy, ‘just-need-the-job-done-in-a-hurry DIY-er (comfortable Christians)! So maybe it depends on your entry point as to which course you need to follow?
For more on the subject, do come along on Sunday at 11am - all viewpoints welcome!
September 8th
This Sunday we will be looking at the subject of controlling our tongues!
Here’s some food for thought in the meantime,
based on Proverbs 21:23, 1 Peter 3:10 and James 3:5-8 (Author unknown)
'The boneless tongue, so small and weak,
Can crush and kill,' declares the Greek.
'The tongue destroys a greater horde,'
The Turk asserts, 'than does the sword.'
A Persian proverb wisely saith,
'A lengthy tongue—an early death.'
Or sometimes takes this form instead,
'Don't let your tongue cut off your head.'
'The tongue can speak a word whose speed,'
The Chinese say, 'outstrips the steed.'
While Arab sages this impart,
'The tongue's great storehouse is the heart.'
From Hebrew writ this maxim sprung,
'Though feet should slip, never let the tongue.'
The sacred writer crowns the whole:
'Who keeps his tongue doth keep his soul!'