“James”
(Please read the passage before, or after, reading the devotion.)
“Like father, like son” is not usually used as a compliment. Yet in Jesus, that is exactly what happened – “Whoever has seen me (Jesus) has seen the Father” (John 14:19). And that is what God intends for us as His children – “Be perfect…as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). Jesus’ death, resurrection, and promise of the Holy Spirit is so that we would be saved (made whole) and adopted (made His children, to be like the Father). James suggests three simple (and obvious) ways to show this. First are our words – not just what we say, but how we say them. Do we reflect who our Heavenly Father is by our words? Second is our compassion – how do we show the Father’s care for the most vulnerable? In those days they were orphans and widows; today the list would include victims of every form of injustice and violence. Third is our holiness – how do we live as if we are in the world, yet not of it (read John 17:15-18)?
You are asking too much of me O God. But are you? You expected no less from your Son Jesus; you intend no less for us your children. Maybe it’s because I only see myself as a human on my way to (hopefully) heaven. And you see me as your growing (and therefore not complete as yet, and fallible) heavenly child placed on earth to represent You. You desire that I reflect you in the simplest ways that You will work through me by Your Holy Spirit in me – words, compassion, holiness (Your distinctiveness in me). Thank you for who you are making me to be. Amen. Song Lyrics: “Into the Night”
