Grumpiest Old Men - James 2

Grumpiest Old Men

James 2

Cast:  2 older men. These are longtime friends with much dryness to their banter.

Set:  Anywhere a bench or 2 chairs may be set as a park bench.  Action proceeds in dialogue.  Script or notes may be hidden in props (newspaper) if used.  Both enter stage walking towards each other.

Lights up.

Putz

Bonehead.

[Both take seats and break out a newspaper.]

So, how’s life treating you?

You know, running the good race.

That’s good.  Paul’s second letter to Timothy.  Good stuff.  Run the good race, fight the good fight, keep the faith.  Good stuff.

So you have been running a good race yourself?

I just said the words, didn’t I?

I’m just trying to be a good listener.

Man, that’s fantastic.  Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry…

I was just thinking…

I’m not finished, because man’s anger can not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

[Sacastically]  Good stuff. [Rolls eyes at being interrupted].

Quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger—man, I get this stuff.

It’s like I said earlier.

What?  You said something?

That’s ok.  Forgive me for taking a turn in this conversation.

Not a problem.  Got you covered.  If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive.

That’s good stuff alright.  You confessed lately.

Not exactly.  But I know me some Bible.  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

That’s a good one.  Are you putting your faith into practice?

What do you mean?  I just said you can’t see it.

What if you could see it?

That wouldn’t make sense.

What if by what I did, you knew that I had faith?

How does that even make sense?

What if there is more to our faith than just saying we have it?

It sounds like you want me to do stuff to earn my salvation.

Nope.

Sounds like it.  I am saved by grace through faith.  It’s in the Bible.  I think that Peter guy said it.

It was Paul.

Whatever.  I didn’t do anything to receive my salvation.

Couldn’t have said it better myself.

So, what’s with this doing stuff—works, deeds, whatever?

Since you asked…

I didn’t mean to.

What happened to quick to listen?

Give me a break.

God gave you—us—a big break.  Grace is bigtime.  Don’t you think we should do something in response to his incredible gift?

Yeah, ok, like what?

Put his words into practice.

That’s like the man that built his house on solid rock.

Exactly.  James would call that being a doer of the word.

That implies that I would need to do something.

Yep.

To get my salvation?

Nope.  Because you have received salvation.

So, faith and works work together?

Exactly.

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.

Exactly.  Want to start putting some of God’s word into practice?

Sounds scary.

My turn.  For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.

Yeah, OK.

So, you are up to putting God’s word into practice?

You mean being a doer of the word?

Yes.

Sure.  I wonder if there is an opening in the consulting department?

What!

I’m really good at giving my opinion.

I’m thinking there is an immediate opening for you in the slow to speak & quick to listen department.

[Palms upward feigning shock].

Both exit.

The end.