Beloved People of God,
James must have been an incredible pastor. Think about it. When we look at his letter, we probably find many of his words shockingly direct. He challenges us in so many ways. He did this, not to shame or guilt us toward a response, but because he loved those he was writing enough to say hard things. The fact that we’re able to read this letter 2000 years later reveals two things: first, it’s clearly God’s word, which is unshakably valuable for our formation, reformation, and transformation in Christ; and second, that James’ audience took his formidable pastoral sermon to heart. He didn’t hold back. He loved them enough to say what needed to be said.
I’m sure he wrestled with his words, deep in prayer, as the Holy Spirit stirred within his soul as pen pressed papyrus. Every pastor, even a mediocre one, wants to bring God’s people the living word of God in ways that help them grow in their walk with Jesus.
The reason I say James must have been an incredible pastor is because what is true of us today was just as true of people two millennia ago: we have a hard time hearing criticism. Be honest. Criticism gets our hackles up. When James called them an “adulterous people” that must have ruffled plenty of feathers (4.4)! But James wasn’t using charged language to hurt his fellow believers. He carefully chose his remarks to confront them with the immense cost of unchecked sin in their lives. They were missing the mark, and James’ loved them enough to call it out. His shepherd’s heart spurred him on to encourage them that, in a world of pride and confusion, humbly submitting their lives to God through justice and generosity will bring them into the presence of God. James knew that when we draw near to God, He draws near to us (4.7-8).
Beloved, as we come to the final two weeks of our study in James, may our hearts be open to the moving of the Holy Spirit, who is ready and able to transform us more and more into the likeness of Christ (2 Corinthians 3.18). This week, let’s hear James’ words and ask the Spirit to transform us (Ezekiel 36.26; 2 Corinthians 5.17).
For Christ the King,
Brett