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James reminds us we are to be people of integrity, patiently waiting for God to bring about justice and fruitfulness. God will strengthen our hearts as we wait while working for His kingdom purposes.

James holds nothing back in pointing out the need for repentance from favouritism, self-indulgence and slander. The message may be hard to hear, but humbling ourselves before the Lord is the only way to freedom.

Those who hold onto illegitimate desires which produce quarrels in the church are at enmity with God. If we humble ourselves and seek His good will, He will give us the grace we need to live according to His purpose.

True wisdom from God is shown not by knowledge but by conduct. Really knowing the truth is expressed by our character, the way we are and the way we live.

Teaching in the church is based upon giftedness. True teachers are given to the church by Christ. The test of genuine teachers is found in their speech, both content and empowering. For all of us in the body, our tongues identify who we really are.

James presses believers to show the genuineness of their faith within through what it produces on the outside. We should not shrink back from this challenge.

We need to recognize the “celebrity mentality” common in the church today. Our attitude toward ourselves and one another should be formed by a right understanding of God’s kingdom. We should find our sense of belonging and affirmation there alone.

We must let the word of God address our hearts and respond not it resistance but submission. This will change our moral outlook and actions and bring them in line with God’s perspective and purpose.

When James laid hold of the true goodness of God in Jesus Christ, he was totally changed. The areas in which he was deceived about God’s nature and purpose were exposed. He left them behind and came to really know God, the only source of truth and righteousness. We too must leave behind wrong belief…

We know that injustice and imbalance of power is the norm in the world today. But it also exists in the church. We must learn to see God’s view of us and embrace our true place with Him. Only then can we address justice issues and respond rightly.