James

James is full of great quotes and principles to live by. I've quoted it often, referencing our need to joyfully endure hard times, to listen and be slow to speak, and that religion that pleases God is demonstrated by helping needy orphans and widows.

As I read it through again this morning, I noticed a theme that it seems James audience was not getting along with each other very well, and must have been going through a tough time and complaining about it. James encouragement is simply, in my words, "Suck it up and be glad that you are suffering. That means you're becoming more like Jesus." And, "Don't be childish - get along with each other." He also gives examples of each of these statements, noting prophets that had to wait for God's answer, but they were patient, and the most important commandment to love others as much as we love ourselves. We're not to play favourites, and we're not to be selfish.

James also noted that faith without action is not faith at all. If we say we have faith in Christ and it doesn't come out in what we do, then we really don't have faith in Christ. Even as he talks about wisdom, he refers to what it leads to. "But the wisdom that comes from above leads us to be pure, friendly, gentle, sensible, kind, helpful, genuine, and sincere. When peacemakers plant seeds of peace, they will harvest justice" (3:17-18).

If it's on the inside, it needs to be evident on the outside.

I don't know if it is encouraging or not that as a Christian body today, we're having the same problems as James audience. At least there are specific instructions to fix it, but if we haven't gotten it yet, why should we expect to get it? We're still complaining about life and other people, we regularly are nicer to people who are dressed well and smell nice, and we want things quick and easy - we do not want to consider hard times a blessing and a thing to be happy about. And the popular gospel nowadays reflects it.

Imagine a world where Christians were "pure, friendly, gentle, sensible, kind, helpful, genuine, and sincere." That's the Christian I want to be, though I'm a far way off just yet.