James 1:17-27 (NRSV)
Read James 1:17-27 on biblegateway.com
Verse 17Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Verse 18In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
Verse 19You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; Verse 20for your anger does not produce God's righteousness. Verse 21Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. Verse 22But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. Verse 23For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; Verse 24for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. Verse 25But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act-they will be blessed in their doing. Verse 26If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Verse 27Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Devotion
When you look at your face in the mirror, you see the color of your eyes and hair, the shape of your nose, the shade of your skin. If someone asks you to recall those details it is fairly safe to say that you could tell someone these features of your face. If you can’t, maybe you really weren’t paying attention or were thinking of something else.
The writer of James says that those who hear the word of God but don’t put it into action are like those who see their reflection in a mirror, walk away and promptly forget what they look like. For whatever reason something is not connecting for them. The Holy Spirit breathes God’s word into our daily lives. The Spirit empowers us to respond to that inspiration. Hopefully, at times it will feel as simple as remembering who it is that is looking back at us in the mirror.
Prayer
Spirit of the living God, open our hearts, open our minds, and remind us who we are. Give us the willingness to listen and the humble courage to speak and act within your will. Amen.