Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:21-22
“But you, Hermas, have experienced great afflictions of your own be cause of your family’s transgressions, since you paid no attention to them. You neglected them and became enmeshed in your own evil deeds. But you are saved by not straying from the living God, and by your simplicity and great self-restraint. These things have saved you, if you continue; and they save all those who do them and who proceed in innocence and simplicity. Such people will overcome all evil and persist to eternal life.”
“The Shepherd of Hermas” 1.1.8-9 (c. A.D. 70-140) as reported by Bart Ehrman in Lost Scriptures: Books That Did Not Make It Into The New Testament (New York: Oxford University Press, 2003) 255.
For more background on the Shepherd of Hermas, click on yesterday’s post below.
It was common in the first century for individuals and families to profess faith in Jesus but to conform to the cultural patterns of this world. James describes the the word as the instrument that saves us from this behavior.
The early church was adamant about the fact that our family patterns often follow cultural patterns. Actually, in many cultures, following family expectations causes people to ignore biblical teaching and commands.
Let me connect this to generosity. Many cultures have the expectation to save and hoard for the family and so to obey the biblical command to give generously especially to undeserving people is discouraged.
This may be what pattern is in view with Hermas. He has experienced difficulty as a result of following family patterns instead of urging his family to follow biblical patterns.
So, the call to stay close to the living God and live with simplicity and self-restraint makes sense. Do we stay close to family with a “family first” mentality or stay close to God with a “God first” mentality.
If we choose the former, family patterns will often mimic the culture rather than Christ. If we choose the latter, we will help “save” from evil together and related to money, we will propel them to generosity and good works.