Implant

Note: I hadn't intended for my Saturday Bible verses to have any more words than the selected Bible verse, but this time, I can't help it. I have to add my commentary.

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This morning I decided to read James because we (in my Bible study) are about to start studying James. I've read James before; it's one of my favorite epistles, but with the blessing of rereading comes new insights. I barely got past James, chapter 1 before I found a new word I never before saw: IMPLANT. 

James 1.21, "Therefore, put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." 

What does implant mean? 

implant: to put or fix firmly; to insert or graft. 

I've heard the word 'graft' before, at least when it comes to trees: a branch is broken off (either purposefully or accidentally), and a new one, probably of a different type, is put in. It's bandaged tightly around, and if the original tree agrees with the new branch, it will accept it- it will be grafted in; implanted in. 

So, I wanted to know where exactly I'd read or heard the term 'grafted' in the Bible. Hello, Romans; Romans 11, to be specific.

So I ask, did they stumble in order that they (the Jews) might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion be? ... For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? ... Then you will say, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in." That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith**. So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.

Apparently, during ancient Roman times to be adopted into a family (probably a wealthy one) was an honor. You were specifically chosen by that patriarch to be in that family- suffice to say you earned your way in. That's no small thing. To be selected to be part of a family is purposeful; born into it is something nearer chance, I guess.

When that of your own blood fails (this is a touchier subject than I let on) and the adopted one takes that person's place, I suppose the adopted one has every right to be proud, to consider himself special, lucky; blessed. And yet, when Paul writes Romans, and discusses the Gentiles being drafted into the Remnant of Israel he tells them to lower their egos. He tells them, "Don't think so well of yourself. You were adopted, yes, which is culturally significant, but you have to remember, you're still not the natural branches. You think you so easily graft into these trees? If you are torn off and replaced by the natural branches, how easily will one accept its own?" (Romans 11.22-24)

How does this go back to James? Well, if I have to put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness, how do I do that? By hearing and doing the word, apparently.

**The book of James is cited all the time when justifying words by action, even vice-versa. There's no question: walk what you preach.

So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. ... For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. 

Oh.

1 + ? = 2 Ehehe, one cannot be without the other, not even in the slightest. Mathematically, if I want to get to 2 starting with the number 1, I'm going to need another 1.

"But there are people who aren't Christian who do good deeds." Yup, that's true, so how much more so should Christians do good deeds? Why are we throwing rocks at each other, at ourselves, instead of doing good deeds? Are you sure you're Christian?