EPISTLE OF JAMES – “Hearing and Doing”  

James 1:19–27

Know this, my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rank growth of wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who observes his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But he who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer that forgets but a doer that acts, he shall be blessed in his doing. If any one thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this man’s religion is vain. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Read More

“OUR FATHER WISELY ARRANGED IT”

“You know that everything is grace and that everything comes from us. But you also know that it is necessary to cooperate with grace in order for it to be effective” (Inner Word).

Without God’s grace we are incapable of anything, as Jesus makes clear: “Apart from me you can do nothing.” (Jn 15:5b). How wisely our heavenly Father has arranged it! Knowing full well that we are always in danger of overestimating our abilities and giving too much importance to our contribution to what has been achieved, God reminds us that everything comes from Him. This is what we also experience on the spiritual path. Our Father allows us to feel our weakness so that we do not become trapped in ourselves, but rather confess with full conviction that it is only by His grace that we have been able to accomplish this or that. “In thy light do we see light. (Ps 35:10). What would we be without You?

Read More