Just because...

All You Need..., a photo by paynehollow on Flickr.

Wisdom randomly snatched here and there from the Book of James

Consider it all joy, my dear ones,
when you encounter various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

And let endurance have its perfect result,
so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

But if any of you lacks wisdom, simply ask of God,
who gives to all generously and without reproach,
and it will be given to them.

The sister or brother of humble circumstances is to
glory in their high position;
and the rich ones are to
glory in their humiliation,
because like flowering grass
they will pass away.

For the sun rises with a scorching wind
and withers the grass;
and its flower falls off
and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed;

so too the rich ones in the midst of their pursuits will fade away...


Let no one say when they are tempted,

“I am being tempted by God”;

for God cannot be tempted by evil,
and God's own Self

does
not
tempt
anyone.

But each one is tempted when they are carried away
and enticed by their own lust.

Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin;
and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth
death.

Do not be deceived, my beloved family...

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is
from above,
coming down from the Creator of lights,
with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow...

This you know, my beloved family.
But everyone must be quick to hear,
slow to speak and
slow to anger;
for the anger of humanity does not achieve the righteousness of God.

Therefore, putting aside all filthiness
and all that remains of wickedness,
in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.

But prove yourselves
doers of the word,
and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer,
they are like one who looks at their natural face in a mirror;
for once they have looked at themselves and gone away,
they have immediately forgotten what kind of person they were.

But one who looks intently at the perfect law,

the law of liberty,

and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer,
they will be blessed in what they do.

Who is wise and understanding among you?
Let them show it by their good life,
by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

But where you have envy and selfish ambition,
there you find disorder and every evil practice.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is
first of all
pure;
then peace-loving,
considerate,
submissive,
full of mercy
and good fruit,
impartial
and sincere.

Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.


If anyone THINKS they are religious,

and yet

does not bridle their tongue but deceives their own heart,
this person’s religion is

worthless.

With the tongue we praise our Lord God,
and with it we
curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.

Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.
Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?

My brothers and sisters,

This. Should. NOT. Be.


Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this:
to visit orphans and widows in their distress,
and to keep oneself unstained by the world...

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone
claims
to have faith but has no deeds?

Can such faith save them?

Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.

If one of you says to them,

“Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,”

but does nothing about their physical needs,

what good is it?

In the same way, faith by itself,
if it is not accompanied by action, is
dead.

Listen, my dear brothers and sisters:
Has not God chosen those who are poor
in the eyes of the world

to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom God promised...?

But you have dishonored the poor.

Is it not the rich who are exploiting you?
Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?
Are they not the ones who are
blaspheming
the noble name of God, to whom you belong?

Now listen, you rich people,
weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you!

Your wealth has rotted,
and moths have eaten your clothes.
Your gold and silver are corroded.
Their corrosion will testify against you and
eat
your
flesh
like
FIRE.

You have hoarded wealth in the last days.

Look!
The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields
are crying out against you.
The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.

You [rich ones] have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence.
You [rich ones] have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.
You [rich ones] have condemned and murdered the innocent one,
who was not opposing you.



Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister
or judges them speaks
against the law
and judges it.

When you judge the law, you are not keeping it,
but sitting in judgment on it.

Speak and act as those who are going to be
judged by the law that gives

freedom,

because judgment without mercy will be
shown to anyone who has not been merciful.

MERCY TRIUMPHS OVER JUDGMENT!

There is only one Lawgiver and Judge,
the one who is able to save and destroy.
But you

who are you to judge your neighbor?

?!

Don’t grumble against one another,
brothers and sisters,
or you WILL be judged.

Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another.

God opposes the proud,
but gives grace to the humble.