How are the People? | James 5:13-20
Throughout this entire letter, James is saying that a Christian should be easy to pick out of a crowd by how they live their lives. He’s highlighted several specific opportunities where we can demonstrate our faith in the way we live our lives.
Our faith is evident in:
- How we handle trials and difficulties
- How we handle success
- How we handle temptations
- In the way that we use our words, and if we speak more than listen
- In the level of concern we have for widows and orphans
- How we help those in need.
- How we approach plans for the future
Do we ask God to rubber stamp our plans, or do we seek to know His plans for our lives? James is saying all of your life, every part of your life ought to flow out of the richness of your relationship with God. James recognizes people experience hardships. He knows people walk through difficulty and pain. So at the end of his letter, what’s on James’ heart and mind? People. People are on his mind.
Hear me on this:
- We have buildings; it’s not about buildings.
- We have events; it’s not about events.
- We have classes; it’s not about classes.
- We have an org chart; it’s not about the org chart.
- We have resources; it’s not about the resources.
Ultimately, if you boiled it all down, it’s about people.. And so what’s on James’ heart at the end of his letter, “How are the people? How is their relationship with God?” What’s your first response when you’re in trouble… or sick… or happy? Is it God? God ought to be our first response and not our last resort.