Do-It-Yourself Religion

In Matthew 3, John the Baptist points out that many among the covenant people at that time believed that their lineage through Abraham would help to save them.  John quickly disabuses them of this belief, pointing out that God can raise from the stones children for Abraham. Instead, God wants the personal conversion of each individual.

The Epistle of James picks up this theme and expands it as he teaches us to

• Ask God in faith (with a determination to follow the received inspiration) when we don't know what we should do

• This demonstrates that our salvation is not intended to be a matter of blind or unknowing faith, but rather a knowledge for the individual from personal experience and effort

• Faith is dead and impotent if works do not accompany it

• This is a testing, experimental religious teaching.  It is not one of simply abiding by tradition or being joined with a key lineage, such as Abraham.

• This is a doctrine of personal freedom- God wants our hearts, our willing conformance with the principles by which He exists and governs.  Thus, He does not compel obedience by either the faithful or those that would do evil, such as harming good or defenseless people.

• New Testament faith is not just avoiding doing wrong, but actively doing right

• Talking and professing are helpful, but demonstrations of faith (such as service to widows or the fatherless, the specific examples James highlights) are a required piece of personal development

I am profoundly grateful for this teaching.  It is very empowering to know that God is not looking for a perfect transit through mortal life followed by reward and damnation for those that fail.  But instead, a process of continued growth that results in the adoption as our own the principles God has for us to learn, and at the end, an opportunity to recognize and follow Christ out of Judgement into an eternal future.