the ENd word
Do you listen in order to understand?
Lizzy Smallwood
In my last few articles we are looking at how the apostle James views the ‘respectable’ sins that we allow to take root and grow in us unchecked.
So, on to another of James’ diagnostic tests. I read something recently that hit a nerve: ‘One of the biggest problems with our communication is that we do not listen to understand, we listen to reply.’
the ENd word
Searching for perfection?
Lizzy Smallwood
We’ve been seeing in the end Word how the letter of James exposes all sorts of respectable sin related to our spiritual adultery against the Lord – our double-mindedness.
These respectable sins have often been linked to our wrong attitude towards how we treat God and others with regards to poverty and riches. This next exposé may reveal how my proud adulterous heart thinks God and others ought to treat me.
the ENd word
Wealth and injustice
Lizzy Smallwood
Click and Collect; Swipe to Buy Now; Same-day Delivery; BOGOF; 40% OFF sale; Investment Opportunities; Cryptocurrency Know How…
We are daily bombarded by the command to spend our money on ourselves or invest it for our future. I am an absolute mug when it comes to online impulse buys late at night. It’s a relief to my husband that I have no clue or interest in how Bitcoin works.
the ENd word
Sin’s ‘nice hierarchy’
Lizzy Smallwood
In our series on ‘Respectable Sins’, James uncovered our terrible favouritism and snobbery last time (James 2: 1-7), shown in the way we treat those we think are beneath us or above us in status.
‘My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favouritism.’ Jesus is not interested in our definition of worthy. He is looking for sinners to save – be they rich or poor. He is looking for recipients of His grace; that includes all of us! Our worth is found – only in Him.
the ENd word
Favouritism & prejudice
Lizzy Smallwood
Here in Bodmin we run a free café off the back of the local food bank. Each week a Housing Advisor comes to offer foodbank clients help.
So, the other day a woman came and sat down with the advisor. She was pierced and tattooed to within an inch of her life. Her dreadlocks were phenomenal, and her clothes were eclectic – even for Cornwall.
the ENd word
Avoiding money’s pitfalls
Lizzy Smallwood
For a time in the endWord, we are receiving some spiritual heart surgery as we look at the letter of James. He uncovers some of our more insidious, respectable sins and cautions us from fatally wandering from the truth (James 5:19-20)
It seems that we are always facing a choice as we wander through this life: two pathways – the pathway of Obedience: faith and trust which leads to wisdom, or the pathway of Pride: a wilful double-mindedness that leads to folly and destruction.
the ENd word
How rich are you?
Lizzy Smallwood
For a time in the endWord, we are receiving some spiritual heart surgery as we look at the letter of James. He uncovers some of our more insidious, respectable sins and cautions us from fatally wandering from the truth (James 5:19-20).
When it comes to the big ones – ‘sex and drugs and rock ’n roll’ – we Christians often feel pretty good about ourselves compared to the world, and we may assume God feels the same way about us too.
the ENd word
When the going gets tough
Lizzy Smallwood
We are spending some time in the endWord having spiritual heart surgery from the letter of James.
Here is a reminder of Dr James’ diagnosis of us: ‘You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred towards God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God’ (James 4:4).
the ENd word
The doctor will see you now
Lizzy Smallwood
I’ve been revisiting the letter of James recently. To be honest it’s a bit of a kick in the spiritual teeth. He doesn’t mince his words.
Now, I am prone to be quite a spiritual masochist. I enjoy leaving church feeling like I have been confronted; reprimanded; given extra homework. James’ letter isn’t that.