“Those who gaze into the perfect Law; the Law of Liberty, and persevere therein – being not hearers who forget but Doers who act – they are Blessed in their Doing.” ~ James (James 1:25)

 

Yet another very important verse, this saying perfectly encapsulates not only how James felt about the relationship between faith & works (i.e. that the former was always essentially meaningless without the presence of the latter), but also how Jesus felt about the workings of Salvation …

Indeed, it was Jesus’ belief that we are not inevitably subject to the will of the authorities in our lives (neither the man-made “leaders” who try to regulate our everyday lives, nor the celestial “rulers” who try and manipulate our Hereafters). Rather, Jesus too believed in an ultimate “Law of Liberty;” a Law essentially stating that – no matter what happens to us in life; no matter what difficulties come our way or which enemies cross our paths – we are always free to choose Love anyway.

Similarly, Jesus made it clear that championing Goodness & Love in a world ruled by greed & fear would always be met with resistance (see Matthew 5:10 et al), and yet he also knew that those who persisted in Caring for others despite that resistance (indeed, especially for those doing that resisting) would always receive the reward of Bliss for the same (see Matthew 24:13).

Finally, and by far most importantly, Jesus regularly and clearly noted that the key to entering his “Kingdom of Heaven” was choosing to actively serve others – not necessarily in times of their greatest need, but rather in times of our own (see Matthew 5:40-44, John 13:15-17, Matthew 24:12-14 et al).  For those who are willing to sacrifice their own comfort & wealth for the betterment of the downtrodden would always enter that Kingdom, and indeed it was only these Noble Few who would ever wholeheartedly be able to do so.

 

Filed under: My Favorite Verses by Scaughdt