A Mist

Life is fragile and short.

We know this to be true and we, or at least I, do not like to be reminded of this. Our prayer list is filled with reminders of the fragility of life. Also the shortness of life.

How will we be different during unexpected moments?

To some extent this is the question of James. How will the people of Jesus be different and live differently when tragic moments happen. The question is not if they will happen but when they will happen and what is our response.

We must develop a Biblical worldview and foundation.

This will not happen by accident. This is an essential task of discipleship and growing in the Lord.

James desires an life of integrity.

We cannot say one thing and do another. We must be absolutely careful with our words.

The law is the great Commandment.

Back in James 2.8 we see for James the whole law summarized with the words, “love your neighbor as yourself” which is found in Leviticus 19.

Mark 12:30–31 NIV

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

The issue is judgment without grace and mercy.

Grace is getting what we do not deserve. Mercy is not getting what we deserve. They go hand in hand many times.

The issue is hoarding “stuff”.

James is not against being prepared, neither is our Lord, but the issue becomes when our stuff starts to get in the way of loving others and growing in our faith in Him.

God notices the treatment of His image bearers.

IN verse 4 we have a reference to the Lord of Hosts and a theme found fluently in the OT: God defending and fighting on behalf of the poor.

Careful with “Christian” talk.

Sometimes we can talk in a different language, known as Christianese. This means using words, phrases, and such that sounds very much good but to those who are not yet following Jesus can be confusing. Or worse yet, we use phrases as a way to convince ourselves we are “right and pure” when our hearts are not. The phrase, “If it is the Lord’s will” may at times be one of these issues. Similar to how many times we end prayers with, “In Jesus name”. If we are not careful with our words we unintentionally cause ourselves issues.

We must remember God is over all.

Within these verses are reminder after reminder about God being the one in control. To remember who is over all.

We must build our lives on Jesus—the Rock.

Life is short, precious and fragile. Bad things will happen. Good things will happen.