The Blue Comet

       Have you ever owned something that you just could never use? I got my Father's tools after he passed away in 1995. I have used some of them, but there is one that I probably will never use. It is a “blue Comet” pair of pliers. When you squeeze the handles, the tips spread apart instead of coming together. From what I understand, they are useful in the changing of your brake pads, for the purpose of spreading some spring so you can remove it. I haven't found any use for it yet and the odds are getting slimmer that I ever will. Some things are not practical. Perhaps you might have an item in your garage, basement or tool box that you will never use. It just isn't a practical item. Is your Christianity practical? That is, is it all useful or are there some things that you just never use? James 2:2-3 says, “For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;  And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:”

         In many respect, the Epistle of James is considered to be a very practical book. The topics that James discusses are those which are very practical in the spiritual life. Lessons from other epistles may not be seen by anyone else. After all, who knows if you have forgiven someone else or not? James, however, deals with the things of life such as approval of a rich man and disapproval of a poor man. The evidence is there for all to see.  It is evident that the Word of God covers all areas of life and includes things that are seen and the things that are not seen. I can rejoice in all of the blessings of salvation and still not be “doing” the practical items from Jame's epistle. Sad to say, but we can say that we love the Lord but in the same time, fail to respond to the needs of our fellow believer. It is like saying that we have a couple of “blue comets” in our tool box that we will probably not be using any time soon. The short epistle will soon remind you of many things that you are lacking in your Christian life and that is the reason that it is so important. In speaking about one's beliefs, we often use the words, “Faith and Practice.” Faith is descriptive of what we believe and Practice is what we actually do. Do they demand the same respect in your life? Praise God for His Word and for the practical lessons that it gives us. May we take heed and do what God says.