Matthew 25:34b-36 – Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me. (NRSV)

Ephesians 2:8-9 – For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God — not the result of works, so that no one may boast. (NRSV)

There is balance to a life of faith. Our Reformed ancestors sought to re-establish such a balance centuries ago as they placed emphasis on "faith" and not so much on "works", so much so that Martin Luther called the book of James "an epistle of straw"!

Hopefully, our view of the book of James has evolved since such condemnation by Luther, and we realize that the full gospel has just as important a place in James as in Ephesians. Our model for a balanced life is, as always, given to us by Jesus. Brian McLaren expresses it this way: "Every day Jesus would follow the same rhythm: withdraw for solitude, but then come back to engage by healing, feeding, caring, welcoming, binding up the wounds of this world, and implanting in people a vision of resilience, engaging with a world on fire."

In our devotional time today — and every day — let us consider our spiritual growth inclusive of prayer, meditation, Scripture reading, engaging with the sacraments (what some of us call "the ordinary means of grace"), along with the encouragement of Jesus in Matthew 25 to offer food and drink, to clothe those in need, to visit the sick and imprisoned. These are the essence of the movement within Protestantism known as the social gospel, that aims to apply Christian ethics to social problems, especially issues of social justice such as economic inequality, poverty, alcoholism, crime, racial tensions, homelessness, and environmental issues, to name a few.

Micah 6:8b – What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (NRSV)

Back to that epistle of straw called the book of James: the only definition of religion anywhere in Scripture is contained within this tiny book of wisdom:

James 1:27 – Religion 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. (NRSV)

Now that Scripture offers great balance to our faith!

Prayer: "Jesus, you are the one who upset tables. Remind us that while direct service and personal moments of reflection have their place, to truly struggle for a new world we must have courage to organize, preach, vote, write, and agitate in a way that places anti-capitalism at the center of the beloved community." (Adapted from Andrew Wilkes)

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About the author:

Kenn Stright <kennethstright@yahoo.ca>
West Petpeswick, Nova Scotia, Canada
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