Quote for Reflection (Sunday, March 23, 2025)

“For Paul, as for scripture as a whole, the condition of humanity is not exhausted by descriptions of weakness or frailty. Sin reaches further, with images of transgression, rebellion, failure. For the letter of James, to take one example, the human condition is sketched in terms of doublemindedness, a lack of integrity; friends of God or friends of the world? (see Jas. 1:27; 2:5, 23; 4:4.) Double-mindedness is tied to desire, which entices persons to evil. Evil boils up from hell (Jas. 3:6), but is not experienced by persons as an alien presence; rather, we find within ourselves a raging battle of desire (Jas. 1:13-14; 4;1-4). The half-hearted are characterized by doubt, instability, and wavering, whereas those wholly devoted to God enjoy stability, faith, and caring community.”

(Salvation by Prof. Joel B. Green)