Does anyone have an opinion? Sure. We all do. Insert a host of popular sayings mocking this very notion. But don’t giggle too soon. Given the context, we ought first examine whether or not we ourselves are guilty of such hilarity. I’m referring to the “all talk…” analogy. Many times, I have fallen short. Grace, God! I do believe my number of offenses has dwindled over the years. Lord knows I’m trying…
Opinion without action equates to knowledge without possessing any skin in the game. And I don’t mean taking the time to post over social media. Best not to be cheap.
Are there still two sides to every story? At least. If not more. Does it seem like folks are too quick to jump to popular or attention-getting devices before observing all the facts? Again, I conceive. Someone has an opinion over the war in the Middle East. I know because they continually post about it. I also know this individual. I know how easily they are swayed. I know they are easily swayed often. I know they haven’t done their due diligence, again…
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. -James 1:27 ESV
How does this relate? Skin in the game. It’s easy to hold an opinion. Hiding away from the world while claiming to know and convince others of what they should do or believe, might highlight how much fear has possessed our very being. It may reveal how we are serving a false religion.
Yes. I realize in aiming to convince you, online, of a better path, overlaps some of what I am saying. Hopefully, the deeds I do offline qualify me to speak as I am. Hopefully. Does this seem fair?
Back to the verse. I don’t hear James being exclusive as though visiting widows and orphans are the only acceptable affairs. What I understand him to say is that if we claim we are followers of Christ, then real, live works in association with real, live people will be evidence of the fact. Everything else wreaks of “look how smart I am.” “Look how Christian I am.” “Look what side I’m on.” Does someone need attention? Ananias and Sapphira would die to learn this valuable lesson. Quite literally, they did. May our opinions/religion be based upon a much greater worth. Thanks for listening!