Living with a little or a lot (i)

Christians can live with a little or a lot because our association with Jesus Christ explodes the usefulness of money or privilege as measures of what’s really valuable.

James 1.9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

CHRISTIANS WITH A LITTLE

The brother referred to here is a Christian person. What are the humble circumstances (lowliness) mentioned here? Poverty would be one. Being looked down upon by your wider family or having a low-paying labouring job could also be humble circumstances. The lack of an education is another. Perhaps those with physical or mental disabilities may feel they are in humble circumstances, or regarded as ‘lowly brothers’.

James wants us to know that although we may have low, or even no, status in life – and although we may never achieve riches or influence – believers can take pride in the position we have gained by association with Christ. He has been exalted to the right hand of God and now controls all the world’s affairs. He has status above everyone and everything. His name is above every name. By faith and new birth, we are joined to Jesus Christ so we can share in his glory. We have been baptised into his death and resurrection [Romans 6.3,4] much the same as Israel was baptised ‘into’ Moses in through the Red Sea and under the pillar of cloud.[1 Cor 10.1,2]. Faith in Jesus grants us a share in the glory he owns. Romans 8.16,17 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

His glory is considerable: Ephesians 1.19-23 (Consider) the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Through faith in Jesus we have been lifted up to share in his glorious life and future. We might not have laid hands (or eyes) on most of it yet – but the promise holds good.

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2.9)

We can legitimately and confidently take pride in low positions because they only serve to increase and magnify the miraculous distance we have been raised upwards by our inclusion in Christ. We have a firm foothold in the Kingdom of God. We need not feel ashamed by our lack of money, prestige, education, job prospects, bodily or mental fitness. We have credentials that have been credited to us through our faith-association with Christ.

So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Heb 13.6.