May 29th, 2020

A blessed Friday to all
Letter of James addresses several themes that are easily applicable to daily life.  He provides exhortation on faith, testimony, works, and consistency. In the opening chapter of his letter, he writes in 1:5-8 [If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously  to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind, For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.]  While the immediate context teaches us about double-mindedness, which is understood as a doubting or being unstable in their faith. 

When it comes to instability of our faith and our testimony, there are few Christians who will say "oh, yes that's me".  However, I believe that instability, like ungodly behavior, sometimes is camouflaged  by other factors.  For instance, I don't wish to help someone in need and I will say to myself, "it's a scam" or "he (or she) will use it for drugs". I realize that we must be good stewards and practice discernment but my point is that it is easy to talk ourselves into not doing the right thing.  Another way that we can fall prey to double-minded behavior is in how we apply different rules to things that are not that different.  In case that last sentence did not make sense, let me try to clarify it with some perspectives on our current situation.

Folks will have no problem standing in line, wearing masks (or not), and maintain social distancing while they go to Walmart, Costco, Safeway, and various businesses that have remained open but when it comes to the thought of attending worship service, will declare, "It's not safe!"  What some will say, 'I will go to work, but going to church has to be put off because there is a danger of infection."  I have a friend whose church will open up next week (different state). The church Facebook page posted "When ____resumes worship services, we will be at least as safe as the Walmart you all go to"

The purpose of using these examples is not to make a political stand but to show that inconsistency and double-minded behavior is an easier trap to step into than we may think. Let us strive to demonstrate steadfast behavior in what we say and in what we do.
Have a blessed Friday
​Vic