Ning Awm
Among the General Epistles, the book of “James” is the most important to me because it teaches us
how to live out our faith through our actions, words, and attitudes. It emphasizes that true faith is shown by
helping others, controlling our speech, facing challenges with trust in God, and not being too focused on
worldly desires.
James says that “faith without works is dead,” which means that just saying we believe in God is not
enough. It’s not enough to say we have faith we must show it by what we do. Our actions should match our
faith. If we truly believe in God, it should be seen in how we live our lives every day. That’s why James
teaches that real faith will lead us to do good things, like helping others, being kind, and following God’s
teachings. Our faith should be alive and active, not just words we speak (James 2:14-17). It’s not just about
talking about faith or believing in our hearts. Faith is shown through how we treat others, how we handle
problems, and how we live. If our faith doesn’t lead us to do good things, James says it is dead or useless
(James 2:20). So, faith and works must go together to show true belief in God.
James also talks about helping the poor and treating everyone equally. He warns us not to show
favouritism, especially towards rich people (James 2:1-4). He says that if we are kind to rich people but
ignore or treat the poor badly, we are not living our faith the right way. James teaches that true Christianity
means caring for those who need help, like orphans and widows (James 1:27). These are people who often
struggle and need support. This reminds me that I should care for people who are in need, not just for those
who are easy to help or those who might give me something in return. It’s important to help everyone,
especially those who are struggling the most, because that is what God wants us to do. By caring for the
poor and treating everyone with love and respect, we show that our faith is real and active.
James does talk about controlling what we say. He explains that the “tongue” is a small part of the
body, but it has a lot of power (James 3:5). He compares it to a small fire that can burn down a whole forest.
This shows that our words can have a big effect, either for good or for harm. As Christians, James teaches us
to be careful with our words. We should use our words to build others up, speak kindly, and encourage
people (James 3:9-10). Saying something hurtful can cause a lot of damage, just like a fire can destroy many
things. So, James reminds us to think before we speak and to make sure our words are helping others, not
causing pain. Kind and loving words are an important part of living out our faith.
James also talks about facing difficult times. James teaches us that when we go through hard
situations, we should see them as an opportunity to grow in our faith (James 1:2-4). These challenges test
our faith, and by going through them, we can become more patient and mature in our walk with God. He
encourages us not to complain or give up when things get tough. Instead, we should ask God for wisdom
when we don’t know what to do (James 1:5). He promises that God will give us the wisdom we need to
handle the situation. This shows that even in hard times, God is there to help us grow and become stronger.
He also reminds us that trials are a chance to trust God more and rely on Him. Instead of being discouraged,
we can find joy in knowing that God is working in our lives through the difficulties.
Finally, James warns us about being too focused on worldly desires. He says that if we love the
things of this world too much, like money, fame, or material things, it can make us enemies of God (James
4:4). This doesn’t mean we can’t live in the world or enjoy good things, but it means we shouldn’t let our
selfish desires control us. James reminds us that we need to submit to God and not let the world’s desires
take over our hearts. We should resist the devil by staying close to God and asking for His help (James 4:7-
8). When we choose to follow God’s ways, we become friends with God instead of being led by the wrong
desires. James also says that when we humble ourselves and draw closer to God, He will come near to us
(James 4:10). Instead of chasing after things that only last for a short time, we should focus on what really
matters our relationship with God. He promises that if we turn to Him and resist temptation, He will help us
grow stronger in our faith.
~1~
