James 4:17

         "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin."

                                                        now is the time

                Opportunity is knocking on your door.  Can you remember all the exhortations James has been offering in this letter?  Here is a brief review:

·          Stop being arrogant in your self-reliance and planning  (4:13-16)

·          Stop arrogantly speaking against your brothers and sisters in Christ (4:11-12)

·          Understand that God resists your pride and flippancy (4:6-10)

·          Your love of worldliness is an abuse of God’s affection for you (4:4-5)

·          Self-indulgent pleasure fails to satisfy in the long run (4:1-3)

·          Self-seeking and bitter envy are evidences of demonic influence (3:13-18)

·          Uncontrolled speech leads to damage and destruction of self and others (3:1-12)

·          Faith with no works does not work (2:14-26)

·          Discrimination reveals judgment and evil thoughts (2:1-13)

·          Hearing truth without responding leads to self-deception (1:12-27)

·          Your anger cannot accomplish God’s righteousness (1:19-21)

·          Your own desires and lusts are what lead you to sin (1:12-18)

·          Your economic or social status cannot save you (1:9-11)

·          Your divided loyalties leave you unstable (1:6-8)

This may really feel like a downer, but only if we stop at this point.  Take a look at the other side of the coin:

·          God is using trials as one of the tools to bring you to fruitful maturity (1:1-4)

·          God gives all the wisdom you need when you sincerely ask (1:5)

·          You can celebrate the eternal God who surpasses present conditions (1:9-11)

·          God gives good and perfect gifts freely—we don’t have to lust for more (1:16-18)

·          God has given you the Word of Truth , able to save your soul (1:19-20)

·          God welcomes you and everyone else to come to Him by faith in Jesus (2:1)

·          God will use the weak and powerless to display His riches (2:5)

·          God has given only one law to remember:  Love (2:8)

·          God’s mercy is more powerful than man’s judgment (2:13)

·          In your works, your faith is nurtured, displayed and felt by others  (2:14-26)

·          God helps you see your need for His control in your life (3:1-8)

·          Each person in your life is made in the similitude of God (3:9)

·          Your humble, good conduct displays the understanding and wisdom  of God (3:13)

·          God loves you passionately, and takes pleasure in you (4:5)

·          In your humility and honesty you can be lifted up into His abundant life (4:6-10)

·          You can trust God, not people, to be the ultimate judge (4:11-12)

·          The Lord’s will for you is even better and more trustworthy than your own will (4:15)

Look at the first list, and humbly repent where necessary.  Look at the second list, and give thanks.  Apply these truths to your thinking and live for Jesus and His love—this is good.  You know to do good—and you may not have tomorrow—NOW is your opportunity!

Read and Pray:  Psalm 119:1-8, Luke 18:18-27, Galatians 6:10