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James 5 – Others

James talked several times about the subject of how to treat other people. He continually reiterates, in some form or fashion, for us to follow the golden rule or royal law.

James 2:8-9 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

I find that this concluding chapter sums up this teaching in these verses.

James 5:9-11 Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord - that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

We are to not grumble – no complaining or griping. He then mentions the prophets that suffered unjustly at the hands of their fellow brothers. James is comparing them to us. He's telling us to say only what the Lord permits; beyond that, we are to patiently, with prayer, endure and wait for the Lord's mercy. Some who are suffering may not see His mercy this side of Heaven. However, the Lord is still very compassionate and merciful. As the apostle Paul said, the sufferings of this present world can't compare to what joy awaits us.

Lord, thank You for Your promises. May we treat others the way we want to be treated. And having done, that, may we have the grace to persevere. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Do what is right – no matter what. Jan
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James 4 – Humility

It seems that God delights in dichotomy. In order to gain life, we must lose it. In order to receive forgiveness, we must forgive. God's strength is made perfect in our weakness. In order to have riches that last, we must give ours away. God exalts those who are humble.

James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

I don't think this means we are to be someone's doormat – Jesus wasn't. However, I think it does mean that we treat others better than we treat ourselves, that we put others first. Naturally this all has limits based upon proper biblical boundaries.

Heavenly Father, please help me to treat others the way that I want to be treated. I need to remember always that Jesus washed even Judas' feet. Thank you Lord for the example of humility. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Let God do the lifting. Jan
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James 3 – Taming the Tongue

It has been said that the memory span of a Goldfish is three seconds. I'm not sure who came up with this idea, but it clearly is not true. You can train a Goldfish to swim to the top of a tank in response to tapping on the tank. You do this by feeding them each time you tap. Once they are used to the feeding coming with the tapping, you can tap and they'll come whether you have food or not. In fact on the TV show Myth Busters they taught Goldfish to swim through a maze. Each time they swam through they did it more efficiently with better speed.

James 3:7-8a People can tame all kinds of animals and birds and reptiles and fish, but no one can tame the tongue.

So we can tame even Goldfish, but not the tongue. In fact James has some rather harsh descriptions of it.

James 3:8b It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison.

James 8:5a So also, the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do.

James 3:6 And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life.

James 3:10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth.

James 3:14 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your hearts, don't brag about being wise. That is the worst kind of lie.

So let's recap. The tongue; is a flame of fire, is full of wickedness, pours out curses, brags about being wise, lies, can do enormous damage, is an uncontrollable evil, and is full of deadly poison. Reading that you'd think that there doesn't seem to be much hope for us.

However, James had this to say earlier in the chapter.

James 3:2 We all make many mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way.

So is he saying that we can control our tongues? I believe that he is. Otherwise, why would have have penned this question in speaking of the dual nature of the tongue?

James 3:10b Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!

Clearly he is saying that if something is not right, then obviously there is a way to make it right. I believe that James' discussion of the tongue all relates to the verse that started this chapter.

James 3:1 Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged by God with greater strictness.

He is writing to those that are in positions of authority, or desire them. He speaks of a greater strictness that they will be judged by. What is that strictness? It is whether or not they control their tongues. Clearly he shows that it is not easy and the consequences of not doing so can be devastating. Therefore, there should not be many teachers since not many people will have mastered their tongues. Just like training a Goldfish, training the tongue is possible. However, it takes time and conscious effort.

Heavenly Father, please grant me the gift of controlling my tongue. May the words that I say be the ones that You would want said. Please speak through me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Train your Goldfish. Jan
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James 2 - Actions

My family and I were just watching the movie Shrek. In one of the opening scenes an old lady is bringing a "talking donkey" to be bought by Lord Farquad's men. However, the donkey doesn't say anything. No matter what the old lady does, the donkey keeps it's mouth shut. Therefore her claim of possessing a "taking donkey" is laughed upon.

James 2:18, 20 Now someone may argue, "Some people have faith; others have good deeds." I say, "I can't see your faith if you don't have good deeds,..."

...Fool! When will you ever learn that faith that does not result in good deeds is useless?

James is saying that you can believe something all you want - you can even truly know it. But unless there is evidence, your belief is useless - worthless.

Not until the donkey actually opened it's mouth and spoke did anyone believe that it could really talk. Then all doubt was erased - there was a deed to prove the claim by the old woman.

James 2:24 So you see, we are made right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.

Initially there was no interest in the donkey by Lord Farquad's men. However, once he spoke he proved his value. Actions proved the claim.

James is clearly saying that if there is not evidence backing our claims of being in Christ, we are lying to others and to ourselves. Until faith is proved by actions, all we have are empty words.

Lord, may we do more than speak. May we truly be Your hands and feet while we are here behind enemy lines. Help us to be agents of healing and peace. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Prove it. Jan
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James 1 - Miracle Grow

I've personally never tried Miracle Grow, but I've heard that the results can be dramatic, 500 pound pumpkins, tomatoes the size of basketballs and such. Truly miraculous results. I find James talking about a different kind of miracle grow in this chapter. He does it with a bit of wry humor.

James 1:2-4 Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.

Ok, how did he just tell us endurance grows? By trouble, by testing, by tribulations! I can just see the smirk on his face as he writes, "So let it grow."; in other words, "bring on the trouble." That certainly doesn't sound like fun. But those very troubles, temptations and tribulations are the miracle grow of our endurance. It gets strong and healthy.

Ok, so we get endurance. Trees have endurance. Is there anything else?

You betcha.

James 1:12 God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

We have the promise of the crown of life! How cool is that?

On another thought. I just noticed something in the following verse that I'd always just passed over.

James 1:27 Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us.

I know that pure religion is to care for those that can't care for themselves. However, I never lingered at the last part of the verse. We are to "refuse to let the world corrupt us."

I picture a rotten apple in a fruit basket. If it is not removed, it will corrupt the entire basket of apples. Likewise we must remove that which can corrupt us. Otherwise, that which has grown can be destroyed.

Heavenly Father, help us to endure testing and to remove that which is corrupt. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Let it grow. Jan
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