The Inevitable Judgement

Book of James Church New Hope Baptist Church Date 25 August 2024

Bible Reading: Luke 16:19-31 Scripture Ref: James 5:1-6

Title: The Inevitable Judgement

Introduction

Good morning.

I want to praise and thank God for the continual mercy He extends to us as we study the Book of James. We are now in the final chapter, James 5, where the letter transitions from reproving, rebuking, and exhorting with patience and instruction to proclaiming God’s impending wrath and judgment.

As we enter this final chapter, we are confronted with a terrifying revelation of God’s justice. Our focus this morning is on James 5:1-6, so please place your bookmark in that passage.

This text brings us face-to-face with the reality of God’s holiness and absolute abhorrent against sin, revealing that the time for mercy has passed and judgment is now imminent. As we explore these verses, we will see how God’s justice addresses all wrongs and reflects His righteousness. But before we go to James, for our Bible Reading, please turn to Luke 16:19-31 as both the passage in James and the parable of Lazarus and the Rich man shares the same theme. Let’s all stand and read Luke 16:19-31.

Scripture Reading Luke 16:19-31

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We come before You today with hearts humbled by the truth of Your Word. As we gather to hear Your message, we are reminded of both Your great mercy and Your perfect justice.

Lord, we acknowledge that You are patient and kind, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. Yet, we also know that Your justice is certain and that, in Your righteousness, You will not let sin go unpunished.

Father, as we open Your Word, please open our hearts and minds to grasp the gravity, seriousness and urgency of this message. May Your Holy Spirit guide us into all truth, showing us how Your mercy has been extended to us repeatedly and how Your justice stands as a reminder of Your holiness.

We pray that Your Word would convict us of our need for repentance and lead us to a deeper appreciation of Your grace. May we be moved to live lives that reflect both Your mercy and Your justice in all that we do.

In the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour, who bore our judgment so that we might receive mercy, we pray.

Amen.

The Inevitable Judgement

Propositional Statement

Have you ever wondered what happens when God’s patience finally runs out? What does it look like when God’s mercy that we often take for granted gives way to His righteous judgment? James 5:1-6 confronts us with a sobering reality—a moment when the time for repentance has passed, and God’s inevitable judgment is unleashed. James doesn’t merely warn; he declares that for those who have exploited God’s grace and mercy, their wealth, power, self-deception, pride, arrogance, and hypocrisy, the time of reckoning has arrived. As we dig deep into these verses, we must ask ourselves: Are we prepared for the day when God’s justice will no longer be delayed? Today, we will explore the serious truth of God’s inevitable judgment and its implications for our lives.

· The Call to Justice v1-3

· The Demand for Justice v4

· The Advocacy of Justice v5-6

1 The Call to Justice v1-3

1Go to now,

ye rich men,

weep

and howl

for your miseries that shall come upon you.

2Your riches

are corrupted,

and your garments

are motheaten.

3Your gold

and silver

is cankered;

and the rust of them

shall be a witness

against you,

and shall eat your flesh

as it were fire.

Ye have heaped treasure together

for the last days.

At the beginning of verse 1, James issues an urgent call to attention with the imperative command, "Go to," demanding an immediate response. This is a directive, not a suggestion. There is no other option or way around this; it must be heeded. By adding the word “now,” James emphasizes the urgency, insisting that they must stop “now” whatever sin they are committing “immediately”. He underscores the seriousness of the impending disaster and urges his audience to pay close attention. This same urgency is expressed in James 4:13, where he warns against relying on the false hope of tomorrow and the fragility of life. In James 5:1, James directs them to the misery, suffering, and eternal torment that await if they do not heed his warning.

Now pay close attention to whom James is talking to. He turns his attention to the "rich men," drawing a clear distinction from "brethren," as he did in James 4:11. This suggests that these wealthy individuals, who may have gained their riches unjustly, are likely not genuine believers of the Jewish Christian church. They might be people who merely profess to be Christians or who use their wealth to influence and control the church. It's possible that these rich men are the ones James refers to as being self-deceived, claiming to have faith but lacking the works that should accompany true faith. James likely identifies them as hearers of the Word rather than doers.

Regardless of who they are, they are not genuine believers, and the passage exposes their false sense of security in their self-righteousness, in their wealth, their social status, their power and influence. So, James turns his attention to them to call them to repentance and tell them of God’s justice.

The impending judgment James describes involves severe and inescapable suffering for these unjust wealthy individuals. He commands them to "weep and howl." The word "weep" signifies a profound and intense sorrow, unlike anything they have ever experienced before. It’s unconsolable, uncontrollable, overwhelming, and outpouring of sorrow and despair. This is not ordinary grief; it is a response to the realization of their impending doom and the irreversible consequences of their actions, leading them to weep in despair. What makes it even worse is the realization that there is nothing they can do to remedy it, nothing they can do to change it, and nothing they can do to escape from it. They will weep like this for all eternity.

That’s why James makes this imperative command to "weep" that signifies the urgency of the situation. James is not suggesting that they might weep; rather, he is asserting that their weeping is certain. This command draws attention to the fact that, despite their enjoyment of temporary unjust riches in this world, they will inevitably face deep regret and suffering.

James intensifies the word "weep" by adding "howl," conveying the idea of wailing and crying out in deep distress. This is not merely quiet sobbing or a single cry of pain; "howl," as a verb in the present participle, describes an ongoing, repeated action of intense agony. It is a continuous, piercing wail, reflecting the overwhelming realization of their suffering, the futility of their situation, and the hopelessness with no relief in sight.

Loved ones, as I study this, I am genuinely terrified by James’ use of these two imperative commands. Combining "weep" and "howl" emphasizes a level of intensity that goes beyond mere tears. This grief is portrayed as ongoing, extremely loud, and persistent, a public display of anguish with no end. Does this not terrify you as well?

At the end of verse 1, James clarifies the reason for the intense grief of the wealthy with the phrase "for(because of) your miseries that shall come upon you." By using the word "for," James directly connects their profound sorrow to the severe and unavoidable suffering that will soon result from their unjust actions and failure to heed warnings. The gravity of their impending fate justifiesthe intense weeping and howling James prescribes.

Loved ones, this passage serves as a stern warning to us as well, urging us to examine our own lives for any unrighteousness or injustice. Just as the wealthy are held accountable for their actions, we too must take heed to avoid similar judgment and ensure our lives reflect justice and righteousness. We should heed the call of the gospel, repent of our sins and turn to Christ for salvation.

Do you grasp the gravity of this message? The passage vividly illustrates the reality of God's justice and the consequences of sin. From this verse until the end of the letter, you will notice God no longer intervenes. The call for sinners to repent from their self-deception, hypocrisy, and unjust actions has ceased, much like the door of Noah’s ark that once closed. God's grace and mercy have come to an end, and His wrath and judgment are now upon them.

James’s stern warning to those who place their faith in their earthly wealth and self-righteousness reveals the futility of trusting in oneself. Their weeping and wailing in the face of impending judgment reflect the undeniable truth that no amount of wealth or self-righteousness can protect anyone from God's righteous judgment.

Loved ones, does the word of God invoke fear and terror in your heart as you hear these things? Are you ready to face God’s judgement? You may make plans and preparations for the future—planning a year ahead to buy, sell, and gain profit in a certain city—but if you do so without considering the will of God, without submitting and humbling yourself before Him, and if your self-righteousness and corrupted judgment is what’s guiding you, the time is coming when God will no longer tolerate your pride, arrogance, and hypocrisy. He will send you to hell, where you will weep and howl for all eternity.

But let us not be deceived into thinking that we can simply presume upon God's mercy to escape such a fate. Do we truly understand what God's mercy is, or have we adopted a distorted view that leads us to believe we can continue in our sin without consequence?

Many today hold to a wrong view of God's mercy—one that either downplays His justice or assumes forgiveness without repentance. But, loved ones, the Scriptures are clear: God's mercy is rich and abundant, but it never excuses sin or allows us to continue live in rebellion against Him.

I’ve identified five faulty views that people hold about God’s mercy:

1. Presuming on God’s mercy.

This view wrongly assumes that because God is merciful, He will simply overlook sin and allow us to continue in our wrongdoing without facing any consequences. It mistakenly presumes that God's mercy is automatic and unconditional, disregarding the essential need for repentance and faith in Christ. This view ignores the necessity of genuine change and accountability in our lives.

2. Licensing Sin: Some people misunderstand God’s mercy as a license to sin. They believe that they can live however they please because they expect God to forgive them no matter what. This view trivializes God's grace, failing to recognize that true grace calls us to a life of holiness and obedience, not a license to sin.

3. Overemphasizing Mercy at the Expense of Justice: Another faulty view is overemphasizing God’s mercy to the detriment of His justice and righteousness. This leads to a belief that God’s love will ultimately save everyone, regardless of their faith or repentance. Such a view contradicts the biblical teaching that faith is necessary, and that judgment is real. It fails to balance the truth of God’s mercy with His justice.

4. Assuming Mercy Without Repentance: Some people think that God’s mercy is available without the need for repentance or a transformed life. They believe that they can receive mercy without any change in their behaviour or attitudes. This view overlooks the biblical teaching that genuine repentance and transformation are necessary evidence of receiving God’s mercy.

5. Doubting God's Mercy: On the other hand, there are those who doubt the availability of God’s mercy, believing that their sins are too great to be forgiven. This perspective underestimates the vastness of God’s mercy and the sufficiency of Christ’s atonement. It fails to grasp the depth of God’s compassion and the power of His forgiveness through Christ.

The urgency in James's warning about weeping and howling points to the unavoidable reality of divine judgment. Having addressed the certainty of their future suffering, James now details the present evidence of their imminent doom. In verse 2, he elaborates on the physical signs of their impending judgment, emphasizing that their accumulated wealth is already bearing witness to their fate.

Have a look at verse 2:

2Your riches

are corrupted,

and your garments

are motheaten.

To fully understand verse 2, we must understand the tenses used in the original Greek, as English translations can sometimes miss crucial nuances.

James addresses the source of the rich individuals' hope, power, and influence—“your riches.” He indicates that these riches, a general term for wealth, abundance, and material possessions, which were accumulated unjustly, are “corrupted.”

The term "corrupted" is in the perfect tense, passive voice, and indicative mood. This means the riches are in a state of ongoing decay; they have been and continue to be corrupted or rotting.

James then describes their garments, which represents their social-economic status, wealth, power, influence, positions of authority and value, as “motheaten.” The perfect and passive tense used in here indicates that these garments are being damaged by moths, resulting in their deterioration and loss of value. So, James is not only showing their riches to deteriorate, but their status, integrity and morals also coming into ruin.

Do you see how in James’s mind, how he is prophesying the sure certainty of their valuables rotting and decaying and he says it in a way, as if it’s already happened?

Interestingly (and this is what’s lost in translation to English), the perfect tenses might also imply that the riches and garments of the wealthy have become useless specifically because they were not put to good use.

There is nothing inherently evil with possessing wealth or garments. If used to assist those in need, such resources could serve as blessings. However, since these resources were not utilized for righteous purposes and were likely accumulated unjustly, the rich men and their material wealth have lost their value. They are deemed worthless because they were not used to honour God or benefit others.

One theologian suggests that the perfect tense indicates the wealthy were hoarding and storing their wealth instead of using it for good. This interpretation is plausible because, upon the death of these rich men, all the material possessions they accumulated, hoarded, and hidden away become utterly useless. They cannot bring any of it with them; it cannot even be used as a bribe.

In death, just as illustrated in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, they have no power, authority, or influence to alter their eternal suffering. The wealth and opulence that once afforded them control and status in life provide no means of escape or relief from their doomed fate. All their wealth, power, and influence are rendered utterly powerless in the face of God’s divine judgment.

He continues in verse 3:

3Your gold

and silver

is cankered;

and the rust of them

shall be a witness

against you,

and shall eat your flesh

as it were fire.

To illustrate how the value of their wealth has become utterly worthless, James describes the gold and silver as "cankered" or "corroded" and "rusted." Gold and silver historically signify immense wealth and economic power. They symbolize a person’s richness and influence.

However, it’s important to note that, unlike perishable items such as clothing, gold and silver do not naturally rust or corrode. Gold is one of the most durable metals, capable of lasting thousands of years with minimal deterioration. Silver, while less durable than gold, tarnishes only when exposed to sulphur compounds in the air, but with proper care, it can also endure for a long time. So why does James describe gold and silver as rusting and corroding?

James’ use of the imagery of rust and corrosion for gold and silver is deliberate. He employs this metaphor to demonstrate that even the most enduring treasures become worthless in the face of death and God’s divine judgment. This illustrates that material wealth, no matter how valuable or lasting it may seem, cannot save the rich from God’s justice or be used to escape His judgment. In the end, neither gold nor silver can serve as a bargaining chip against God’s impending wrath.

Interestingly, the term "rust" in this context is a verb in the passive voice, indicating that the rusting has already occurred. In Greek, the word for "rust" also carries the connotation of consuming and can be translated as "poison" or "venom."

James uses this imagery to show that the unjust accumulation of wealth through exploitation will ultimately testify against the wealthy and lead to their downfall. God, in His perfect justice, will use their ill-gotten gains, the very wealth they didn’t put to good use as instruments of their own judgment, demonstrating the futility of hoarding wealth unethically. This judgment glorifies God, revealing His holiness and sovereignty over all.

Loved ones, are you managing your material possessions, wealth, and resources with righteousness and justice? Are you fair and generous, demonstrating godly integrity and kindness in your dealings?

James then warns of the consequences for those who exploit and oppress others while amassing their wealth. James 5:4 states

2 The Demand for Justice v4

4Behold, the hire of the laborers

who have reaped down your fields,

which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth:

and the cries of them which have reaped

are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.

James calls upon another witness in his indictment. Previously, he summoned the riches, garments, gold, and silver of the wealthy as evidence of their corruption. Now, he adds another evidence and sharpens his accusation by being even more specific. He begins with the emphatic “Behold!” James presents the accused rich men with both a new witness and compelling evidence as if they are not aware of their injustice. Who is the witness? The laborers who toiled in their fields. What is the evidence? The wages—the compensation that the rich men owe to these laborers. These wages, which rightfully belong to the laborers, have been unjustly withheld by the rich.

Why do the wages rightfully belong to the laborers? At the beginning of verse 4, it says, “who have reaped your fields.” The laborers fulfilled their end of the agreement; they were hired to harvest the fields, and they completed the task. There was a clear agreement: the laborers would do the work, and the rich men would compensate them.

However, while the laborers faithfully honored their commitment, the rich men, consumed by greed and injustice, refused to fulfill theirs. It wasn’t because the laborers didn’t finish the work or because they performed poorly—no, the rich were driven by corruption and a selfish desire to hoard their wealth. Despite the legal and moral obligation to pay the laborers, the rich men’s greed led them to withhold what was rightfully due.

This tension between the laborers and the rich highlights a deep injustice. The rich, blinded by their love of money, violated the covenant of their agreement, reflecting a heart that is far from God’s righteousness. James condemns this corruption, making it clear that God’s justice will not overlook such wickedness.

There are two key points I want to highlight that gives us confidence and assurance with God:

1. The Unjust Will Receive Punishment

It’s not a matter of if, but when. Just as God is faithful in extending His mercy and grace, He is equally faithful in upholding His holiness and justice. James issues a serious charge against the wealthy who have extorted, defrauded, and cheated the labourers. He makes it clear that such grave injustice will not go unnoticed by God. Why? Because the cries of the defrauded labourers have reached the ears of a just and compassionate God.

God is inherently just and righteous. He is the God who upholds justice and defends the rights of the oppressed. God is committed to ensuring that His justice will be served against those who violate His laws. He is also a compassionate God, and His compassion drives Him to listen to the suffering, especially to those who have been victims of injustice.

Furthermore, God is a personal God who has made a covenant to protect and care for His children. Because the labourers are His, He listens to their cries as they are under His covenant care. God is also the ultimate judge, the lawgiver, and He is called the Lord of Sabaoth, which means the Lord of Hosts. This title emphasizes that all power and authority belong to Him, and as the Lord of Hosts, He will execute judgment on behalf of the oppressed.

2. The Victims will Receive Justice

The fact that God is just and righteous provides comfort to the labourers. Even though they have been wronged and defrauded by the rich, they can find assurance and solace in knowing that God sees and understands their plight. They are reassured by the knowledge that He genuinely cares and is not indifferent to their suffering. Unlike the false idols worshipped by the wealthy—who have no ears to hear, eyes to see, mouth to speak, or hands to act—God is a just and righteous Judge. He will vindicate the oppressed labourers. God’s justice will prevail, ensuring that the wrongs they have suffered will be set right.

However, loved ones, do not be quick to assume the role of the victims or to harbor resentment toward the wealthy. While it is important to understand and empathize with the suffering of others, and to advocate for justice and mercy, we must also remember our own need for reflection. As believers, we should intercede and pray not only for our brethren who face unjust suffering but also for thosewho have wronged us, been unjust, or defrauded us, just as James does in his letter.

We must guard against quickly condemning the wealthy, recognizing that all of us have, at times, acted unjustly. Trusting in God's holiness, justice, and righteousness, we can seek to embody His mercy and grace. Moreover, we have this privilege to reach the unjust with the gospel of Christ, knowing that true transformation comes through the saving work of Jesus. As we strive to live lives that reflect God’s mercy and justice, we must also share the hope of the gospel with those who are far from Him, praying for their repentance and salvation. Recognizing that we are all sinners in need of God’s mercy, we should be humble, repentant, and eager to see others brought to the knowledge of the truth in Christ.

Having established the reality of God’s justice and His attention to the cries of the oppressed in verse 4, James now moves to expand on the consequences of the rich’s unjust actions. In verses 5 and 6, he continues to address the rich, but with a focus on the broader picture of their lives and actions.

3 The Advocacy of Justice v5-6

5Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth,

and been wanton;

ye have nourished your hearts,

as in a day of slaughter.

6Ye have condemned

and killed the just;

and he doth not resist you.

Take a look on the first phrase of verse 5:

“Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth”

James does not condemn the rich for their work ethic or for living in pleasure and luxury on the earth. Instead, he reminds them of what they’ve done—what they’ve accomplished, accumulated for themselves, and indulged in - here on earth. While there is nothing inherently evil about living a life of luxury, the selfishness that often accompanies such a lifestyle is the issue. Yes, they lived extravagantly, but it was at the expense of others. In their abundant indulgence, they were unjust, exploiting, oppressing, and defrauding honest, hardworking people. They may have lived a contented life here on earth, but on judgment day, they will face condemnation. God is the advocate of the oppressed, and He will bring justice to those who have been wronged.

In addition to living a life of luxury, James notes that they also lead a life of wanton pleasure. But what does that mean? Leading a life of wanton pleasure involves living in a way that is excessively self-indulgent and lacking in moral restraint, with a focus solely on pursuing physical and sensual pleasures. Their lifestyle goes beyond that of the rich and famous; it is characterized by reckless behavior, excessive partying, drinking, and extravagant spending.

They spend vast amounts of money on luxury items they don't even need—such as extravagant houses, lavish vacations, and over-the-top parties. Their reckless behavior often includes excessive alcohol consumption, substance abuse, and sexual immorality, without any consideration for the harm it might cause themselves or others. These are the kind of people who exploit and defraud others, denying any accountability for their actions because their only concern is to satisfy the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.

This relentless pursuit of pleasure and self-indulgence reveals the true condition of their hearts. They have become so consumed by their desires that they have ignored the needs of others and the impending judgment that awaits them. In their reckless abandon, they have done more than just indulge—they have prepared themselves for destruction.

Look at the end of verse 5: “ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.

What do you do when you want to enjoy a good lechon—you first fatten up the pig, right?

This is exactly what the wealthy are doing by living luxuriously and indulging in self-centred pleasures. Through their selfish actions, they are not just enjoying life; they are, in fact, storing up for themselves the wrath of God. Their excessive lifestyle is leading them to their own destruction, just as a pig is fattened for the slaughter.

Loved ones, does the Word of God challenge you to examine whether your life is focused on God and others rather than on self-indulgence? Have you cultivated contentment with what you have instead of pursuing self-gratification? Is Christ sufficient for you, filling your heart and providing true contentment and joy? And are you sharing the overflow of Christ from your heart with others who need Him as their Savior from selfishness and lust?

This world worships self. We worship self. Our hearts are naturally inclined toward self-indulgence and wanton pleasure, becoming self-obsessed, self-focused, and selfish. We seek only to fulfill the desires of our sinful nature, standing in absolute opposition to God, His holiness, and His justice. Yet, despite all this, praise God that He calls sinners to repentance. Praise God for His mercy that endures forever—He is patient and long-suffering. He loves with an everlasting love, a love that is holy and just, refusing to overlook sin.

As James addresses the consequences of living in self-indulgence and luxury, he shifts his focus to the actions of the wealthy, revealing how their lifestyle has not only led to their own spiritual peril but has also impacted those around them. Their indulgence and lack of justice are not isolated issues; they extend to how they have treated others.

In verse 6, James further exposes their actions:

6Ye have condemned

and killed the just;

and he doth not resist you.

Pay attention to the verbs “condemned” and “killed.” Who condemned and who killed? The answer is "you"—the rich men. These unjust rich men usurped the role of God as judge. Because of their riches, status, wealth, power, authority, and influence, they condemned the just, meaning they decisively and wilfully passed judgment on the righteous. This was an act of finality, with no possibility of reversing that unlawful, unrighteous, and unjust verdict. Corrupted and poisoned by their slander and condemnation, they condemned the innocent.

But James doesn’t stop there. He intensifies this condemnation by adding the verb “killed,” which means to murder or slay. This verb is in the past tense, indicating that it refers to an action already completed. The act of putting the just to death was deliberate, final, and irreversible.

What is James saying here? He is condemning the rich men not only for condemning the just but also for being responsible for the death of the righteous, whether symbolically or literally, through fraud, lies, hatred, and oppression—all because of their lifestyle of self-pleasure and self-indulgence.

Loved ones, do you see what has happened to the innocent labourers? Not only were they defrauded, oppressed, and unfairly treated by the rich men, but they were also condemned and executed. This is a gross injustice.

The unjust have become the judge and executioner of the righteous—the one who is just and upright, living according to God’s word and will. Notice the definite article when James says, "THE just." He didn’t use "a" just man because he is being specific about the type of person he is describing—one who is innocent, who fulfills their part of the agreement honestly, who does their job to the best of their ability, honouring the contract, respecting the rich man, and bringing glory to God. The innocent defrauded labourers have been condemned and put to death by the unjust.

Loved ones, consider this: if you were to witness such blatant injustice—where the innocent are defrauded, oppressed, and even condemned and executed—how would you respond? Would you stand idly by, or would you take action to support the righteous and hold the unjust accountable? Reflect on your own heart and actions. Are you prepared to be a voice for the voiceless and a defender of the oppressed? Let us not be passive observers but active participants in seeking justice and demonstrating Christ’s love and righteousness in a world marred by sin. How will you respond to injustice when you encounter it?

By reflecting God’s holiness and justice in our conduct and conversations, we can bear witness to His mercy and grace. We must speak out against wrongdoing and advocate for the oppressed, but we must also be compassionate and committed to reconciling sinners with God. This involves evangelism, intercessory prayer, and loving others as God loves us.

As we consider our own response to injustice and our commitment to reflecting God’s justice and mercy, we must also recognize the example set by the just who suffer injustice. Look at the end of verse 6:

“and he doth not resist you.”

The just and innocent man did not oppose, resist, or defend himself. He did not assert his rights but humbly submitted to the condemnation and execution by the unjust.

Although James is referring to the labourers who quietly endures the injustice of their oppressors, we also see a picture of Christ here—the Just and Innocent One who was condemned and executed. By whom? By the unjust. That’s you and me. Loved ones, we are the unjust who condemned and put to death the holy, righteous, just, and sinless Son of Man.

Our selfish desires and corrupted sinful nature led to the condemnation of Christ, our Savior, who was killed for our sake. Despite our unjust and selfish pursuit of self-satisfaction and indulgence, we contributed to the condemnation and death of Christ by rejecting His righteousness. Yet, in His death, God was both just and merciful. God’s justice required the punishment of sin, and Christ's sacrificial death satisfied this divine requirement, while His grace provided redemption for us. Praise God that He humbly submitted to the cross, enduring humiliation and death for us sinners. His sacrifice reveals the depth of His grace and the profound cost of our redemption, upholding the justice of God while offering us salvation.

Conclusion Application

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with hearts full of gratitude and awe for the profound sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ. We recognize that it was our selfish desires and sinful nature that led to His condemnation and death. Yet, in Your perfect justice and boundless mercy, You provided the means for our redemption.

Lord, we thank You for the humility and endurance of Christ, who submitted to the cross and bore the weight of our sins. We praise You for upholding Your justice while offering us the gift of salvation through His sacrifice.

As we go from this place, help us to reflect Your righteousness and grace in our own lives. Empower us to stand against injustice, advocate for the oppressed, and live with integrity. May we embody Christ’s love and humility in all our interactions and be a light in this dark world marred by sin.

Guide us in our daily walk, and may our actions bring glory to Your name. Strengthen our resolve to be voices for the voiceless and defenders of the truth, always seeking to honor You in all that we do.

We give you all the honour and glory.

In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we pray.

Amen.