Prelude Before We Study James: The "BE" Attitude

 

Prelude Before We Study James: 

The "BE" Attitude

"Blessed are the poor in spirit..." — Matthew 5:3 (NKJV)

As I began reading the book of James, my thoughts unexpectedly returned to something the Lord impressed upon my heart years ago. Before James teaches us to be doers of the Word, Jesus first teaches us how to be.

For many years, I have referred to this as the "BE" Attitude.

The Christian life is not primarily about trying harder or doing more. It is about allowing Christ to change who we are from the inside out. Right living grows out of a right relationship with Him.

Before there are faithful works, there must first be a faithful heart.

Before there is obedience, there must first be surrender.

Before we become workers of the Word, we must first become people who belong to the Word.

That is exactly where Jesus begins.

What Does "Blessed" Mean?

The word blessed is much richer than simply being happy.

Happiness often depends upon favorable circumstances.

Biblical blessing does not.

A person may be poor, grieving, misunderstood, rejected, or persecuted and still be called blessed by God.

To be blessed is to live under God's favor, approval, and presence regardless of outward circumstances. It is the quiet confidence that our lives are in His hands, our future is secure, and our reward is with Him.

This is why James can later write,

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials..." (James 1:2).

That kind of joy is impossible if blessing depends upon circumstances.

It becomes possible only when blessing depends upon Christ.

What Does "Poor in Spirit" Mean?

Jesus begins His Beatitudes with these words:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3)

Being poor in spirit does not mean having little self-esteem or thinking we have no value.

Neither does it mean God desires us to live defeated lives.

To be poor in spirit means recognizing that apart from Christ, we have absolutely nothing to offer that could earn God's acceptance.

It is spiritual humility.

It is acknowledging our complete dependence upon Him.

It is laying aside pride, self-sufficiency, and confidence in our own goodness.

It is saying with the Apostle Paul,

"Not I, but Christ."

The poor in spirit understand they are completely dependent upon the grace of God.

Ironically, the one who realizes he has nothing becomes the one whom God can fill with everything He desires to give.

The "BE" Attitude

As we continue through the Beatitudes, Jesus describes the character He desires to produce in every believer.

He speaks of those who mourn over sin.

Those who are meek instead of demanding their own way.

Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness more than worldly success.

Those who show mercy because they have received mercy.

Those whose hearts are pure before God.

Those who make peace rather than create division.

Those who willingly endure persecution because they belong to Christ.

Notice that every one of these describes who we are becoming, not merely what we are doing.

That is why I like to call them the "BE Attitudes."

They reveal the character of Jesus being formed within us.

James Will Show Us What This Looks Like

As we begin studying the book of James, we will discover that genuine faith always produces genuine action.

James will repeatedly tell us to:

• Be doers of the Word.
• Be workers of the Word.
• Be patient.
• Be humble.
• Be merciful.
• Be steadfast under trials.
• Be slow to speak.
• Be quick to hear.

Notice the emphasis.

James is not asking us to perform religious works to become acceptable to God.

Rather, because Christ is transforming who we are, our lives naturally begin to reflect Him.

Being always comes before doing.

Character comes before conduct.

Abiding comes before fruitfulness.

That is the heart of the Christian life.

May the Lord teach us not merely to know His Word, but to become the kind of people who live it every day.

Lord, make us not only hearers of Your Word, but true doers of it—for Your name's sake.

I especially like the way this ends with "Being always comes before doing. Character comes before conduct. Abiding comes before fruitfulness." That sentence feels like it connects everything the Lord has been showing us—from John 15 ("Abide in Me"), through 1 John, and now into James.

One more thought came to me while reading what I've written.

I don't think my ministry has two separate themes ("Abide" and the "BE Attitude"). I think they are actually one message:

Abide in Christ → Become like Christ → Do the works of Christ.

That progression seems to unite John, the Beatitudes, and James into one continuous path of discipleship. I have a feeling we'll see that pattern unfold throughout our study of James.