COV LIFE BLOG
James 5:19-20 – The Joy of Turning a Sinner Back
Do not merely hear it this morning, beloved fellow laborer, but let it sink deep into your heart. When an apostle inspired of the Holy Spirit, says, “Let him know,” I evoke you, do not let any indolence of spirit forbid your ascertaining the full weight of the truth. What is it that you are […]
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James 5:13-18 – The Prayer of Faith
If you’re going through trials of any sort, James’ answer (a single word in the Greek text) is like a rifle shot to the bull’s eye: “Pray.” It’s easy to sit here and nod in agreement, but the question is, “When you encounter difficulties, is prayer your first response?” It’s certainly not the automatic response. […]
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James 5:7-12 – Patience in the Midst of Suffering
These words strike one of the leading chords of the Epistle. There is no grace which its readers are more earnestly exhorted to cultivate than that of patience. In the preceding verses James has been denouncing the rich ungodly Jews. The Epistle was not addressed to them, however, but to the Christian Jews who were […]
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James 5:1-6 – Right Use of Wealth
Do not be over-anxious about riches. Get as much of true wisdom and goodness as you can; but be satisfied with a moderate portion of this world’s good. Riches may prove a curse as well as a blessing. I was walking through an orchard, looking about me, when I saw a low tree laden more […]
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James 4:13-17 – What Boasting About the Future Says About Our Thoughts of God
We’re all interested in the future. We want to know what next year is going to bring. Some use tea leaves, palm readings, even astrology. The more sophisticated read books like Megatrends, trying to understand what the future holds. And planning for the future is wise. Proverbs 6:6-8 praises the little ant who plans ahead for […]
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James 4:11-12 – The Sin of Slander
In this part of the chapter, we are cautioned against the sin of evil-speaking: Speak not evil one of another, brethren, v. 11. The Greek word, katalaleite, signifies speaking any thing that may hurt or injure another; we must not speak evil things of others, though they be true, unless we be called to it, […]
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James 4:1-10 – The Grace of God to Put To Death Sin Within Us
It is a fact that we all have to face – none of us has ever had a relationship in our lives, not even one, that has been free of disappointment. None of us has realized our relational dreams. So we have to ask: Why are our relationships such a struggle? Why do we have […]
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James 3:13-18 – Worldly Wisdom Compared to the Wisdom of God
The greatest philosophers have endeavored for centuries to figure out the best and most honorable ways of living. All of them have agreed that if we are to be successful in life, we must know what it means to be wise. Though the pursuit of wisdom is something to be commended, history testifies that much […]
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James 3:1-12 – Bridling the Tongue
It is not difficult to sin in our speech. If we could just muzzle our mouth and tame our tongue, everything else would seem simple by comparison. By using the word “bridle,” James looks back to 1:26. Perhaps he remembered the counsel of David who wrote in Psalm 39:1, “I will guard my ways, that […]
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James 2:14-26 – What Does It Mean That Faith Without Works Is Dead?
Real, impacting, effectual faith will have results. It will be lived out! Faith is received alone, but it does not just stand alone; it is to be shown. Faith will be backed up by the proof that it is present in a person. If there is no proof, there is a good chance that the […]
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