Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22
“Let us therefore not only call Him Lord, for this will not save us: for He saith, “Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, shall be saved, but he that doeth righteousness.” So then, brethren, let us confess Him in our works, by loving one another, by not committing adultery nor speaking evil one against another nor envying, but being temperate, merciful, kindly. And we ought to have fellow-feeling one with another and not to be covetous. By these works let us confess Him, and not by the contrary. And we ought not rather to fear men but God.”
Clement, Bishop of Rome (c. 100) in 2 Clement 4:1-4.
When we do righteousness, the early church bishop reminds us to do it with temperance, mercy, and kindness. What do these words mean?
Temperance is moderation or self-restraint. Practicing it is living with intentionality or self-discipline. Extending mercy is not giving people what they deserve. Showing kindness is then giving them what may bless or surprise them with generosity.
So, with Clement, as I approach the end of a fruitful Egypt trip, and as we come to the celebration of the arrival of our Savior—Christmas—let us be people who do what is right with a measure of discipline, behaving toward others not as they anticipate but with generosity.
We do this because our works are the greatest confession of our faith and the demonstration of our fear of God. Do you fear God?