James ChallengeSample

'IT’S BY GOD’S GRACE'

Another 'christianese' phrase but a powerful one that James encourages us to say as we make our plans!

 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 

Tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone. In my day-to-day diary at the beginning I’ve written ‘All the plans made in this diary are by God’s grace alone’, because I understand the importance of including God in my plans and acknowledging His power to fulfill them, if they are according to His will. Trust the God that knows the end from the beginning, rather than trusting yourself that only sees a short part of the journey!

IDLENESS AND LACK OF BYSTANDER INTERVENTION IS A SIN…

If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. (4:17)

Many of us have been in situations when we know that we ought to do the right thing but we just don’t do it. Sometimes doing good is a sacrifice, it causes you to lose something, but sacrifices made in the name of God, done as a child of God always come with a promise and a reward. Don’t shy away from doing good because you think someone else will do it (diffusion of responsibility) or because it is not your problem…James is very clear. Let us strive to do good regardless of how uncomfortable it may be! 

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