Heralds Digest

"Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin." (James 4:17 NKJV) Moving from the practice of cross examination to self examination appears commendable. However, taking a practical step toward attaining goodness can be lost forever without practical deployment of immediate commitment. Procrastination is a smart thief of time resources in human life agenda. Appearing like a friend of convenience, procrastination makes worst the assumed benefits of knowledge, by blowing the status of a finite man above the limit of time management. Truly, those who fail to cease the best of what they've got today may never leave to see the worst of uncertain tomorrow. Therefore, time theft is a crime too heavy for the upright in heart.

"Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge." (James 4:11 NKJV) The acts of hypocrisy, pride and general character flaw appear clearer, whenever others' actions are examined from the other side of the fence. Whereas in every interaction among brethren, God's law and ordinances are self-directed. Invariably, there is always a message from God to every individual self in all of human interactions. Unfortunately, every opportunity to move closer to God's desired model is missed, whenever cross-examination is preferred to self-examination. Self examination provides the opportunity of 'winning them all' over the possibility of 'finding who's lost' .

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." (James 4:10 NKJV) The stress of waiting for the fulfillment of God's promises is mostly self-inflicting. This is because there appears to waiters a strong sense of the best performance time, after which blessed promises turned bitter pressures. Unfortunately, all pressures toward enforcing the performance of God's promises in human time lead to unrighteousness. However, all who are fortunate to learn patience would gladly declare the preciousness of God's promises. Certainly, no power on earth can prevent the performance of God's promises to those who humbly wait for Him.

"But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”" (James 4:6.NKJV) Unlike grace which drive the desires of heaven in the affairs of man, pride pursues the craving for human relevance without the assistance of God. While both grace and pride navigate opposing paths, the desire for relevance cannot be queried in all of the two drives. Although the path that promotes the relevance of God appears lowly, it eventually accommodates the relevance of man both here on earth and in heaven. Therefore, grace for all-round relevance is heaven's delight.

"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." (James 3:17 NKJV) Taking the leading position in every sphere of life does not only requires diligence and hard-work. Most times, it also demands the ability to edge out assumed competitors. The painful consequence of the rivalry option is the use of demonic wisdom, with resultant stain on our garment of righteousness. Although, heavenly wisdom may appear to many as foolishness, it guarantees peace and an atmosphere free of confusion and evil envy. Smartness, in the context of the world, has no need of the wisdom from above.

"But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. (James 3:8 NKJV) The tongue, being one of the members of the human body, appears the public relation officer for the whole body. Being highly sensitive to the environment, with potentials for instant expression of feelings of the whole body, the tongue can be a great asset. However, without regeneration of heart, no one can tame the evil reporting tendencies of an unbridled tongue. Only bridled tongue is transformed to be sensitive to the feelings of the Spirit of God.

"But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works." (James 2:18 NKJV) When related to friendship, the element of faith is manifest in everyone. No one can sincerely respond to the affection of others or the attraction to earthly things without faith in them. In relative terms, faith in God is merely the conscious elevation of the friendship with God above worldly affections and attractions. Although this glorious friendship is easy to profess, many readily practice the transient friendship. Therefore, transient friendship is evident in people's priority towards worldly materials, especially through human daily lifestyles.