TRUE WORKS AND HUMAN PRIDE, JOHN 3:20-21

Back-to-back opposite statements in John 3:20-21 speak to me about the nature of truly good “works.”  Verse 20 states:

For those who practice base [common, worthless] things hate the light and do not come into the light, so that their works might not be exposed.

Comments:  1) The word for “practice” (prasso) tends to emphasize something that is repeated as opposed to a specific act.  2) Several translations call the practices “evil,” when the term here (phaula) is not the word for “evil” (poneros) as in v 19.  Since v 20 picks up on that thought about evil deeds and light, the author could be using phaula as a synonym for “evil;” however, my guess is that the author has broadened the category.  Something that is phaula is rather base, common, worthless.  “Evil” would be a subset.  4) The word “exposed” (elencho) has the sense of being exposed in a negative way for reproof.

The way verse 21 starts, the reader expects it to give a parallel but opposite balance about those come into the light:

But the one who does the truth, comes to the light, so that that one’s works might be revealed…

However, the parallel balance does not stop there.  “Works” is qualified by the clause, “that in/by God they are produced.”  Verse 21 might awkwardly be translated:

But the one who does the truth, comes to the light, so that that one’s works (because they are produced by God) might be revealed.

Comments: 1) “Does” (poieo) may be used generally, but in distinction from “practice” (prasso)  in v 20, it can speak of something new, specific.  2) “Does the truth” is an interesting idiom.  Truth (aletheia), in John’s gospel is something that comes to be in Christ (1:14, 17; 14:6) and characterizes the Spirit (14:17; 15:26; 16:13).  It is of the divine realm.  It is absolute.  3) The word for “produced” (ergazomai) emphasizes effort and indicates here where the locus of the effort or labor is, "in/by God."

Main point: The qualification of one’s works/deeds in v 21 by “that in/by God they are produced,” places the credit for acts of truth in the hands of God.  When the contrast is fully made between these two lines, the reader sees that our base, worthless, deeds are our own doing (v 20); however, the deeds “we” do in the truth are actually produced by God (v 21).  God gets the credit, not us.  If we were to apply this to our concepts of success in life, the lesson would be: Worldly “success” is a product of our efforts.  Moreover, when it is brought into divine Light, it is exposed as worthless.  To the contrary, success that matters eternally – perhaps a gracious word or an act of righteousness – is done by God through us.  There is no room for pride.  In fact, we might not even see it as divine “success.”

My following thought is not said in this text, but I think that although there is no room for pride, there is room for joy – joy that God condescended to use us for eternal purposes.  That is amazing!  Perhaps one could read this thought into John 15:1-17.  There we learn that abiding in Jesus and his love allows Jesus’ joy to be in us.  When we participate in what Jesus is doing, we participate in Jesus’ joy.

Lord, shine your Light on my prideful heart that likes to give me credit for doing “good.”  Help me to see that all that is of eternal value is wrought in/by You.  It would be an honor to be used by You for Your glory and Your joy.  May it be so.  Amen.

THIS FAITH BY ITSELF, IF IT DOES NOT HAVE WORKS, IS DEAD (James 2:17)*

 Martin Luther famously did not like the Letter of James in the NT, calling it “that letter of straw.” To Luther it lacked the nature of the Gospel; it did not present “righteousness by faith.”  But James IS presenting righteousness by faith.  Entrusting oneself to God in Christ (faith/belief) results in an inseparable correlation, like two sides of the same coin.  To be “righteous” before God is to be rightly related to God AND others.

How did Jesus, and good Judaism, sum up the Law?  “Love the Lord your God and your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:29-31).  The so-called “Ten Commandments” are first about being rightly related to God and then to others (Exod 20:1-11, 12-17).  The Lord’s prayer is first about being rightly related to God and then inclusively for self and others/“us” (Matt 6:9-10, 11-13).  In my devotional reflection on Psalm 24:4 (9/25), the requirements of being completely perfect/whole and able to come into the presence of God are balanced pairs, such as “clean of hands” (actions towards others) and “pure of heart” (internal disposition) before the eyes of God.  On the one hand, Jesus could teach that all evil deeds such as theft, adultery, and greed come from the heart and that it is the heart that makes a person unclean (Mark 7:20-23).  On the other hand, Jesus could base judgment before the throne of God upon whether a person fed the hungry, took care of the sick, etc. (Matt 25:31-46).  Jesus addresses both the heart AND one’s actions.  There is a correlation between “love God” and “love your neighbor” that cannot be separated.

God’s people are called to be holy and, therefore, both “pure of heart” and “clean of hand.”  This is what James is getting at.  He understands that Abraham entrusted himself to God and God saw that as righteousness (James 2:23 quotes Gen 15:6); but, just before that quotation he points to Abraham’s obedience (2:20-22); that is, to “have faith in God” includes faithful obedience.  Unlike Luther (apparently?) a reader of James should recognize both that James’ understanding of “righteous by faith” is complete, but that in this letter he is particularly rebuking those who profess “faith,” but it is not there to be seen in obedience.

What good is it, my brothers, if someone would claim to have faith, but not have works?  Could this “faith” save him?  If a brother or sister were existing naked and were lacking daily food, and someone among you were to speak to them, “Go in peace!  Warm yourselves and fill yourselves with food!” and would not give them their bodily needs, what good is it?  Therefore, this “faith” by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:14-17)

Lord, it is often easier for me to profess my faith in you, than to live faithfully before you in my relationships with others.  Help me to be faithful “in heart” and “in hand.”  Amen.

*This post is a follow up to a comment and response on the post of 10/2/23 on holiness and perfection that developed the previous post of 9/25/23 on Psalm 24 about perfection and seeking God.