Right attitude and faith in God help Christians treat others fairly and live to honour God. James 5:8. Be ye also patient; stablish your your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. The followings are discussed: Pursue Justice; Be patient in Suffering, and Depend on God.
Pursue Justice: Some people have wrong attitudes toward wealth that instead of trusting God and appreciating Him for their possession they boast about their wealth and use their status to exploit others (James 5:1-3). God detests this kind of behaviour and will judge those who are guilty of it. It is very wrong to hoard wealth at the expense of the poor and needy. Riches will either corrupt or come to an end one day, but riches that are rooted in God's glory will last to eternity.
James says it is bad to deny a worker full reward of his labour. Employees are to be treated fairly and should not be robbed of fair wages by the employers (James 5: 4-6; Malachi 3:6). Employers must not seek satisfaction that will make their employees struggle in poverty. It is a pity that majority of the wealthy people desire and consume what they don't need while the poor suffer in need. God's judgement is upon this kind of attitude. God expects those diligently serving Him to be generous especially toward the poor. Christians can show love and extend generosity to others through compassionate ministry which aim is to gather funds and aids and distribute them to the needy. Those who invest their resources to benefit others are blessed; they will receive what seems to have been lost in many folds (Proverbs 11:24). We are to cultivate Christ-like attitude and avoid taking advantage of the poor.
Be Patient in Suffering: James encourages believers to be patient in anticipation of Christ's return. Hope of Christ's return should motivate Christians to be patient and endure in the face of struggles, knowing that his return is imminent (James 5:10-12). Christ may tarry he will surely return. Believers are to look up to Jesus, keep eyes on eternity and do away with attitudes that can bring destruction.
Those who are pursuing the world will make life difficult for the people who faithfully follow God, and may frustrate them to the extent of denying faith and rejecting God. Job experienced similar problem but he didn't renounce his faith in God. He patiently endured difficulty and would respond with the word of hope and assurance that God would restore him. In the end God rewarded Job for his faithfulness (James 5:10-12). Job experience reminds us that lasting joy and happiness are not laid in temporal things. God will see us through disappointments of life if our perseverance and patience are rooted in the right attitude of trust and faith in Him.
Depend on God: One of the requirements to depend on God and expect spiritual victory from life challenges is prayer. Christians are not encouraged to face challenges alone. We need the support of members who can help us grow in faith and receive strength through the power of Holy Spirit ( James 5:13-16). Christians must say prayer of faith and believe that their requests will be granted when they depend upon God and seek His will (James 5:17-20). Elijah offered the prayer of faith which made it impossible for rain to fall in Israel for 3 years and 6 months. He demonstrated that God would answer prayer of the faithful to bring Glory and honour two His name. God also granted his prayer when he prayed for the rain. God honours genuine faith and will give grace to those walking with Him and relating with others with the right attitude. Lesson text: James 5:1-20
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