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If we turn to James we find him pointing out that works are necessary, because faith being an inward matter no one can see (save God) that we have faith unless we have works that correspond to our faith. James is not denigrating faith. In fact there are more references to faith in James than in almost all of the books in the New Testament of the same size as can be seen if one consults a concordance. What James says is: " But some one will say, Thou hast faith and I have works. Shew me thy faith without works, and I from my works will shew thee my faith." (James 2:18). Faith being inward it is not visible to those we come in contact with, there must be works (which are outward) to demonstrate that there is actually real faith within. |
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Today, in some circles, in contrast to the Pharisees who were concerned with what was outward, there is a tendency to so concentrate on what is inward, that outward things, such as the way we dress, are denigrated. The New Testament does not leave these things out of account as we shall see. The inward side is what we have in our hearts, including our thoughts, but the outward side covers what we say, what we do and our behaviour generally. The outward things can often be done by persons who have no real faith, such as submitting to baptism and partaking of the Lord's supper. It may be noted, however, that the examples given by James of works that demonstrate faith are things that could hardly have been done by persons who had no faith (see James 2:21-26) |
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Scripture is often very comprehensive. For instance we have: "Let us purify ourselves from every pollution of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in God's fear." (2 Corinthians 7:1). Notice the word every. Both pollutions of the flesh and spirit are covered. Pollutions of the flesh may be dirty habits such as smoking, whereas pollutions of the spirit may arise from the reading of bad literature and so on. The former affect our bodies particularly (the outward man) and may cause disease, whereas the latter affect our minds (the inward man) and may go on to affect our practice. |
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However, when thinking of the outward side of things we need not only think of what we say and what we do, (both of which are of great importance) but also of where we go, whom we associate with and how we conduct ourselves. It also covers the way we do things. It covers our deportment and dress and the way we present ourselves to others. We should certainly not try to be what we are not inwardly, but what we are outwardly should truly reflect what we are inwardly. |
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Leaving aside the matter of what we say and do (an enormous subject in itself) let us just note a few passages which show that how we present ourselves is important. Dress is important, particularly in the case of women (1 Peter 3:1-7). The matter of the covering of the head in the case of women is also important (1 Corinthians 11:2-16). Without going deeply into the matter now it should be noted that if this section is abandoned as of no importance then what about all the other injunctions in 1 Corinthians. Are we to pick and choose what scriptures we should apply to ourselves ? Further, it is to be noted that the teaching as to the covering is connected with the matter of headship (not lordship) and the place that women have in the scheme of things. It is clear that the ignoring of the matter of the covering is in accord with the setting aside today of the matter of headship as set out in verse three of 1 Corinthians 11. The setting aside of the truth of headship, which carries the idea of direction, is one of the great evils in the Western world today. |
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Our associations are also important. Jehoshaphat failed in this matter as we can see from 1 Kings 22, particularly verse 4; also 2 Chronicles 19:2 and 20:35-37. The Psalmist could say: "I am the companion of all that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts." (Psalm 119:63). With whom should we associate ? Paul tells us it should be with those that call on the Lord out of a pure heart (2 Timothy 2:22). Christ went in his service amongst taxgatherers and sinners, but his home was with his disciples, so that he said: "With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer" (Luke 22:15). The previous verse shows that it was the apostles to whom he said this, not Pharisees or other unbelievers. Further, it was Martha, her sister Mary and Lazarus that Jesus loved and with whom he found congenial company when here on earth (John 11:5). |
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Though we may be able to put on a front that masks a bad state within, we may also show by careless behaviour that we are wrong within. Let us not lose sight of the fact that without being right externally we cannot hope to have a good effect on others whether believers or unbelievers (1 Peter 3:1-4). |
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October 1999 |