But If...

As promised, we are sitting at the feet of one of our Lord’s Spirit-filled servants, who is offering us, believers, very sound, wise and God-pleasing advice from James. Here is the text.

 But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.  James 2: 9

The author of this text, in an encouraging, comforting, warning and Spirit-stirring letter to the scattered people of God, introduces himself in this way. James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. James 1: 1a. He is a servant of God filled with the Holy Ghost, who is his director, leader, help and guide. This is the enlightened one, who is now speaking to us, and whom we will hear and heed by faith, through the same Holy Ghost.

But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 

Note how the verse begins with these words, but if. It is a phrase that comes across to you without judgement, blame, accusation and certainly no finger pointing. But if, is one of those phrases which forces you to make a judgment about yourself, no one else. Whether this judgement takes place covertly or overtly, its responses are sure to come to light.

In our meditation today, we shall concentrate solely on this phrase, but if, before we even touch on anything else from the text.  I have chosen a few Bible texts, which hold the phrase, but if, specifically for these reasons.

• To show that they span the entire Bible from the law, the prophets, the gospels and epistles – It is an all-round phrase.

• To bring increased enlightening into its different meanings, powers and graces.

• To deposit into our hearts and minds the beauty of such a phrase and the humbling grace to seek perfect responses to it.

We shall travel from the Old Testament to the New Testament with this single phrase, but if.

The Law - Moses, who gave the commandments to the children of God, under God’s direction, is now warning them against turning away from God and worshipping idols, as all the people around them are doing. He tells them that if they are unfaithful to God’s covenant, He will not take kindly to it, For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. Deuteronomy 4: 24 NIV. He lets them know that God will not be with them and they will lose their privileges with Him. Then He announces the big phrase. But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4: 29. NIV

But if, brings new hope.

The Prophets - Ezekiel is in deep, life and death conversing with the people of God, over whom he has been made prophet. He is speaking to them about wicked offenders and obedient conformers. He’s assuring them that, the righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be charged against them. Ezekiel 18: 20b. Notwithstanding, Ezekiel is quick to announce the big phrase to all who have gone awry. But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die. Ezekiel 18: 21.

But if, brings hope of newness and change. 

The Gospel – Jesus is sitting down on a mountain side where He is teaching His disciples, all those from far and near, who have come to listen to His teachings. He is telling them many things, touching on a variety of life-enhancing topics. He tells them that they are the salt of the earth. However, straight on the heels of that pronouncement, He comes up with the big phrase. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.  Matthew 5: 13.

But if, brings warning to remain new and consistent.   

The Epistle – John, a disciple of Jesus, in his Epistle writes about having sweet fellowship with God, who is Light and there is absolutely no darkness to be found in Him. He makes it abundantly clear that if we claim to have fellowship with the Lord, yet we are walking in darkness, any kind of darkness at all, we are liars and do not practice the truth.  Then he utters the big phrase. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1: 7.

But if, brings surety of new fellowship and renewed cleansing. 

James has served us with a big phrase, but if.

We continue with him tomorrow.