As I continue to read through James, I'm reminded that the only way I'll be made complete, lacking in nothing is to walk by faith and submit. Submission seems scary. I'm awful with commitment, it just freaks me out. From dating to jobs to gym memberships, when I hear the word commitment, I've been known to literally run the other direction. Submission is not only asking commitment out of me, but obedience. I'm a free bird, yet for some reason, I think God doesn't understand that. If He did, he wouldn't ask for me to be patient. He created in me that desire for spontaneity, yet in my submission, in my obedience, I will gain freedom. Following Christ is more about saying yes than no. That's where I start with James 2.
This first part of James 2, verses 1 through 13, is entitled "The Sin of Partiality." A lot of the time, I write off these verses by my own interests. It's not that I'm showing partiality, it's that I don't have anything in common with those people, so I don't associate with them. When I see someone sitting alone, even at a Christian event, I'll just wait for someone else to take care of it. In all actuality, what I'm doing is missing one of the many opportunities I've prayed for to serve like Christ.
When most people think of Christianity, they think of all the things Christians have to say "no" to. No drinking, no smoking, no swimming until 30 minutes after eating. In reality, God has a much better plan for us. To renew our minds and make us more like Christ, to say "yes" to His will. Setting apart others in our thoughts is closing a door God has opened for us. If we have faith, but don't act on it, what's the point?
The second part of James 2 calls us out of our shells and out on the water. By faith we are saved, but by works we are justified. "Do I hear you professing to believe in the one and only God, but then observe you complacently sitting back as if you had done something wonderful? That’s just great. Demons do that, but what good does it do them? Use your heads! Do you suppose for a minute that you can cut faith and works in two and not end up with a corpse on your hands?" (James 2:19&20 Message).
While reading this, I tried to think of the areas in my life where I just let my faith live. The areas that I support and have hope in, but I keep my hands out of, hoping the next Christian who walks by steps in. Where does God want all of me and how can I change my settled heart to truly desire Him?
Don't write off your sinful nature as untouchable to God. I think, a lot of times we just settle because, "it's how I've always been," but change is good.
If I were to stand in front of a room of people and say, "I've always been a rude, prideful jerk who only cares about herself. That's just who I am, that's who God's created me to be." There would be no applause for me, no one happy that I am embracing this essence of worldliness. "Oh, that's so great Alyssa can embrace she's such an arrogant jerk, I'm so happy for her!" No, people would look at me apathy in their eyes and would want me to change, they'd want better for me. Loving God with all your heart, mind and soul shouldn't look the same as it did the first day you accepted Him. After spending time with God, in His Word and praying, you cannot leave the same. God desires to change us to look more like Christ, but we must submit to be changed. We must be changed to immerge in freedom.
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