This was the last week spent in the book of James. James has done his share of stepping on our toes, in a good way, of course. And so here are the final thoughts from James Chapter 5:
- Treat people fairly and kindly for their work. We are never to exploit others, especially those who may work for us. This would include those who come to DO work for us – like a landscaper, repairman, or the cable guy (which has more than tried my patience). “For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The wages you held back cry out against you.” (James 5:4, NLT)
- Let’s not hoard. We work and accumulate. I wonder how God views this. Sometimes we have so much junk, we don’t even know what to do with it, or where to store it, but we don’t give it away either. Excess. May we think about how to wisely use and give away that which we have been given. “You have hoarded wealth in the last days…. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence.” (James 5:3 & 5, NIV)
- May our words always ring true. Once again we see James addressing the words we speak, this time in relation to oaths or promises. We are to let our responses be simple and straight forward, a yes or a no. Leave out the embellishment. “But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.” (James 5:12, NLT)
- We need one another. Confession to one another and praying with one another … Both of these will make us vulnerable and transparent with others. And when we do, there is power found in agreeing in prayer. One heart and one accord. Nothing hindering the prayers. “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
(James 5:16, NLT) - Sanctification is a progress. In The Message, we find these words from James 5: “patiently let the rain do its slow work”; “What a gift life is to those who stay the course!”; “The showers come and everything started growing again.”; “You will have prevented an epidemic of wandering away from the God.” Each one of these stood out as I read. Sanctification is a slow work. We progress as we live.
It has been wonderful sharing this journey through the study of James. May each of us “establish our hearts” as we stay in God’s Word.
If you are looking for a wonderful online Bible study, check out Hello Mornings. The next study will be starting August 24th and is “Relentless”. Open registration starts August 17th. Browse the site and find a group which will suit you. You will be so glad you did!
Today I am joining … #SmallWonder and Sharing His Beauty and Inspire Me Mondays .
Joanne, I’ve really enjoyed this journey through James with you. In today’s summary, it dawns on me how “simple” God’s requirements of us truly are — the kinds of things we tell our kids: play fair, tell the truth, be kind. And yet, we find them impossible to fulfill apart from the Spirit’s work in us. Pondering this today . . .
Michelle, thank you so much. Each of these summaries in James came from doing the Hello Mornings study. They truly do offer wonderful studies which I have enjoyed doing.
“Sanctification is a slow work.” That’s what I wrote about today myself because I grow so impatient with my progress. So these are great words of encouragement for me to read today. Thank you, Lord, and thank you, Joanne!
Lisa, so glad those words brought encouragement to you. We are always a work in progress & can so often forget that. His work & our transformation will be complete and finished when we one day stand before Him. Until then, may we submit to Him & let Him do His work in our lives.
I LOVE James! Thanks so much for sharing. Sanctification is hard.
It has been a wonderful study & one in which, I have learned much. Thank you so much for stopping here.
Great post! I especially liked your quotes from The Message, so I looked up this one James 5:19-20…”My dear friends, if you know people who have wandered off from God’s truth, don’t write them off. Go after them. Get them back and you will have rescued precious lives from destruction and prevented an epidemic of wandering away from God.” Such a good word! Many blessings to you!
Beth, those words so struck me deeply when I read them myself last week. “An epidemic of wandering from God”. We each can play a part in rescuing lives.
Joanne: Thank you so much for leading us in this bible study!! I am grateful to have been in this study of James. Very convicting. I look forward to joining you in the next study.
Irene, it was such a wonderful study. I am so glad you joined us & I, too, am looking forward to all God has for us in “Relentless”.
The “let’s not hoard” one stuck out to me because I guess I’d never read it that way. I’ve spent the last two summer’s cleaning out homes of loved ones who had a lot of stuff. I’m re-prioritizing my life, but I never thought of it as being Biblical!
Carol, at times it can be so hard to let go of our ‘stuff’. Yet when I do, I find I don’t miss it at all.