James compiled his teachings to Christians into one singular
lesson. He said in verse seventeen, “Therefore, to one who knows the right
thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.” When a person is a
Christian, he/she belongs to God’s family and knows right from wrong because of
Jesus’ Spirit indwelling the person. People can comprehend the heart of God. No
believer can say he or she did not know the right thing to do. The Holy Spirit
teaches of righteousness and convicts of sin. James said if a person recognized
he/she was supposed to do something, but did not do it, omitting or choosing not
to do what is right makes him/her a sinner. Whoa, intentionally not doing
something right is a sin! Intentionally choosing to do something wrong is a
sin, too.
Christians cannot say they did not understand. The Holy
Spirit will tell believers what is right and wrong to do, say, and think. Luke
spoke about this in Luke 12:47. The person who chooses not to do what God says
is right, God will judge. Jesus similarly told the Pharisees in John 9:41. Peter
took this idea further in 2 Peter 2:20-21.
Since we understand James’ meaning in verse seventeen, how is
it a compilation of his earlier teachings? Consider his teachings.
· Do not show favoritism to the rich hoping to
gain influence and help from them in the future. God provides for each person
what he or she needs when she needs it. You have an inheritance in the kingdom
of God. Love your neighbors as your self. Show your love of God in your
obedience to His laws. Do the right thing. (Ch. 2)
· Show God’s love even to the poorest person by
giving food, clothes, shelter, and daily needs. In this, you show your faith by
your works and fulfill the second greatest commandment. Faith without works is
useless (2:20). Do the right thing. (Ch. 2)
· Guard your tongues. Blessings and curses cannot
come from the same mouth. Ask for God’s wisdom. Allow the Holy Spirit to help bridle
your mouth, which bridles your whole body thereby showing the new creation your
relationship with God through Jesus Christ effected. Teachers have a greater
accountability and stricter judgment from God. Do the right thing. (Ch. 3)
· Ask for God’s wisdom to guide you so jealousy
and selfish ambition do not lead you astray to arrogance and lying against the Truth.
Seek wisdom and produce the fruits from above. Do the right thing. (Ch. 3)
· Do not envy another person. Envy leads to
quarrels and fights. It makes a person an adulterer, hostile to God. God gives
the greater grace – the better blessing(s) – salvation and eternal life. James
gave six things for each believer to return to God.
ü
Submit to God
ü
Resist the devil
ü
Draw near to God
ü
Cleanse your hands
ü
Purify your hearts
ü
Humble yourselves before God.
When a believer does
these things to return to the Lord, God will draw near
the person and exalt him/her. Do the right thing. (Ch. 4)
· Do not slander and judge another person. By
doing so you judge God. You are not greater than God, so you cannot judge another
person. Do the right thing. (Ch.
4)
· Consult God when planning your future – in
business and everyday life. You do not know the future and cannot plan without
God’s guidance, recognizing He holds the future, provides the profit, and gives
everything you need. Do the
right thing. (Ch. 4)
Each lesson James taught to the
Jerusalem Christians in his epistle dealt with the whole person – heart, head,
mouth, and body. He taught how to speak and act as Christians in this
world. James taught Christians to be “doers of the word and not hearers only.”
That means embodying the love of God in their daily lives. Christians understand
what they are to do because of the indwelling Holy Spirit and Christian
teaching. They sin if they did not do what is right and just. Christians cannot
say they do not want to get involved. As Christians who understand the right
thing to do, they must do the
right thing in situations encountered in daily life.
Be “doers” of the word, not “omit-ers.”
