Encounter the Truth

The coming of the Lord should drive us to godliness. For the rich who live indulgently and oppress the poor, James calls for repentance. For the believers who are suffering, he calls for steadfast endurance. Are we living in the light of the Lord’s return—and is that prospect driving us to repentance and godly living?

The coming of the Lord should drive us to godliness. For the rich who live indulgently and oppress the poor, James calls for repentance. For the believers who are suffering, he calls for steadfast endurance. Are we living in the light of the Lord’s return—and is that prospect driving us to repentance and godly living?

We are so prone to arrogant speech—in judging one another and in speaking of our future plans. James reminds us that God is the Judge of our neighbour, and he is sovereign over the future. Such boasting is evil, and we do well to learn humility.

We are so prone to arrogant speech—in judging one another and in speaking of our future plans. James reminds us that God is the Judge of our neighbour, and he is sovereign over the future. Such boasting is evil, and we do well to learn humility.

We must decide whether we will be friends with the world or friends with God. We cannot be both. God’s Spirit demands our affection and loyalty. If we will submit ourselves to God and draw near to him, he will draw near to us.

We must decide whether we will be friends with the world or friends with God. We cannot be both. God’s Spirit demands our affection and loyalty. If we will submit ourselves to God and draw near to him, he will draw near to us.

In a society of disorder and discord, we desperately need the wisdom that comes from above. God’s wisdom is pure and peaceable, and will lead to meek conduct, the fruit of godliness, and peace in relationships. James urges us not simply to pursue God’s wisdom, but to show it by our good conduct.

In a society of disorder and discord, we desperately need the wisdom that comes from above. God’s wisdom is pure and peaceable, and will lead to meek conduct, the fruit of godliness, and peace in relationships. James urges us not simply to pursue God’s wisdom, but to show it by our good conduct.

Although the human tongue is a small thing, it is immensely powerful. James highlights for us the power and the danger of the tongue, and he challenges us to exercise self-control. More than that, he urges us to consider the inconsistency of our speech: we can so easily use our tongue both to bless and to curse. And James challenges us that this ought not to be so.

Although the human tongue is a small thing, it is immensely powerful. James highlights for us the power and the danger of the tongue, and he challenges us to exercise self-control. More than that, he urges us to consider the inconsistency of our speech: we can so easily use our tongue both to bless and to curse. And James challenges us that this ought not to be so.

We might like to believe that we can have faith in Jesus but then ignore the call to obey Him, but James insists that true faith will lead to works of obedience. The works of obedience do not save, but saving faith will never be found in a life where there is no evidence of faith in works.

We might like to believe that we can have faith in Jesus but then ignore the call to obey Him, but James insists that true faith will lead to works of obedience. The works of obedience do not save, but saving faith will never be found in a life where there is no evidence of faith in works.

It is so easy to treat people with partiality, giving preference to the rich or influential. But God has chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith. We stand guilty as transgressors if we dishonour the poor—and we deny the gracious work of God in the gospel. This is a key area where we need to show that we are not only hearers of the Word but doers.

It is so easy to treat people with partiality, giving preference to the rich or influential. But God has chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith. We stand guilty as transgressors if we dishonour the poor—and we deny the gracious work of God in the gospel. This is a key area where we need to show that we are not only hearers of the Word but doers.

God cares not only that we hear the Word, but that we do it. True religion will be shown by our practical actions.

God cares not only that we hear the Word, but that we do it. True religion will be shown by our practical actions.

The Word of God is able to save. Our tongues are often instruments of sin. We therefore need to be people who are committed much more to listening than to speaking.

The Word of God is able to save. Our tongues are often instruments of sin. We therefore need to be people who are committed much more to listening than to speaking.

God uses trials for our good, but he is never the source of temptation to sin. No, God is the source of every good gift. We must trust in his goodness at all times—and especially in times of trial.

God uses trials for our good, but he is never the source of temptation to sin. No, God is the source of every good gift. We must trust in his goodness at all times—and especially in times of trial.

The Lord causes us to become steadfast and complete when he brings us through trial—and he makes us wise as we come to him in faith. Trust him in times of trial—call out to him for the wisdom you will need to navigate those times of trial with a godly perspective.

The Lord causes us to become steadfast and complete when he brings us through trial—and he makes us wise as we come to him in faith. Trust him in times of trial—call out to him for the wisdom you will need to navigate those times of trial with a godly perspective.

Living as free people in the power of the Spirit, we are called to do good to those around us—and especially to those of the family of faith. (This will include the hard work of restoring a fallen brother.) And as people made free through Jesus, we are to boast exclusively in the cross of Christ, and not in law-keeping.

Living as free people in the power of the Spirit, we are called to do good to those around us—and especially to those of the family of faith. (This will include the hard work of restoring a fallen brother.) And as people made free through Jesus, we are to boast exclusively in the cross of Christ, and not in law-keeping.

There is an internal conflict within the believer’s heart between the Spirit and the sinful nature. Both the Spirit and the sinful nature produce distinctive fruit. Paul calls us to live by the Spirit and to keep in step with the Spirit, producing fruit in keeping with the Spirit.