March 9, 2024
DAILY BIBLE READING – James Chapter 5
1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.
5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.
6 Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.
7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
King James Version. Public Domain
Commentary
Introduction
In James chapter 5, we find a compelling warning and exhortation directed at both the rich and believers. The text begins with a stern admonition to the rich, highlighting their unjust handling of possessions and the resulting judgment of God. At the same time, believers are called to be patient in times of suffering and to draw strength through prayer. It is emphasized that the coming judgment is inevitable and that true fellowship and mutual support in faith are essential. This chapter’s message links the reality of earthly suffering with the hope of God’s mercy and redemption.
Commentary
1.Judgment on the Rich (verses 1–6)
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Warning and Exhortation:
The rich are urged to weep and mourn over their perishable wealth, which rots away while God prepares the coming judgment.
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Symbolism of Decay:
Gold, silver, clothing, and treasures are portrayed as fleeting goods that hold no value in the face of divine justice.
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Injustice and Punishment:
Exploiting workers and ignoring justice lead to an unavoidable judgment in which the rich are held accountable for their actions.
2.Exhortation to Patience (verses 7–12)
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Call to Patience:
Believers are encouraged to wait patiently for the Lord’s coming, likened to a farmer who depends on the early and late rains.
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Encouraging Examples:
The patience of the prophets, and particularly Job, is cited as an example of remaining steadfast through suffering.
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Warning Against False Oaths:
The passage points out that one’s word—“yes” or “no”—should be kept without additional swearing, in order to avoid unfair judgment.
3.Prayer for the Sick (verses 13–18)
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Call to Prayer:
Anyone who is suffering or sick should pray, sing psalms, and seek support from the elders of the church.
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Healing Power of Prayer:
The prayer of faith is presented as an effective means not only for healing but also for the forgiveness of sins.
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Example of Elijah:
Elijah is mentioned as an example, whose prayers brought about both drought and rain, underscoring the power of sincere prayer.
4.Responsibility for Those Who Wander (verses 19–20)
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Repentance and Salvation:
The importance of leading those who stray from the truth to repentance is highlighted.
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Life-Saving Effect:
Anyone who brings a wanderer back to repentance helps save a soul from spiritual death and covers a multitude of sins.
Summary
James chapter 5 delivers a twofold message: on one hand, a severe warning to the rich whose wealth and unjust actions will deteriorate in light of divine judgment, and on the other hand, an encouraging call for believers to be patient and to find strength in prayer. The text ties the impending judgment to the need to trust in God amid suffering and illness, making use of prayer’s healing power. It also emphasizes the responsibility to guide those who have gone astray back to the truth, thereby strengthening the community of faith. Overall, this chapter shows that true justice and salvation are achieved not through worldly power, but through God’s mercy and the faithfulness of believers.
WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING – Ellen White | Steps to Christ
Chapter 8—Growing Up Into Christ
Read online here
Commentary
Introduction
Spiritual growth in Christ is a central theme of the Christian life. Chapter 8 describes this growth using natural imagery such as birth, plants, and light, to illustrate how a believer matures in relationship with Christ. It makes clear that no one can generate spiritual life or bring themselves to salvation by their own efforts—only through Christ is true growth possible. By remaining in Him, we receive strength, joy, and steadfastness in faith. The invitation to complete surrender to Christ and to trust in His guidance lies at the heart of this chapter.
Commentary
1.Spiritual Growth as God’s Work (Introduction)
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The Bible compares spiritual growth to a birth (1 Peter 2:2) and to the growth of a seed (Ephesians 4:15).
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No one can produce life by their own power—just as spiritual life cannot arise without God’s work (John 3:3).
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Growth in Christ is not the result of human effort but of divine influence.
2.The Necessity of Connection with Christ
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Plants grow through light, water, and nourishment—likewise, the believer needs Christ as the “Sun of Righteousness” (Isaiah 60:19).
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Jesus emphasizes: “Remain in me”—without Him, a person cannot bear fruit (John 15:4–5).
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Many attempt to live righteously by their own strength, yet Christ is the only path to holiness.
3.Daily Surrender to God as the Key to Growth
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Daily prayer and complete surrender to God are essential for growth in faith.
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The relationship with Christ must be consistent and alive—He should not only be present at the beginning and end of our lives, but at every moment (Psalm 16:8).
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Our hope does not lie in ourselves but in Christ, who connects our weakness with His strength.
4.The Danger of Self-Centeredness and Distraction by Satan
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Satan constantly tries to divert the believer’s gaze from Christ—whether through worries, fears, or worldly temptations.
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The only security lies in complete dependence on Christ—not in self-reflection or self-doubt (Galatians 2:20).
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True spiritual growth occurs through trust, obedience, and continual connection with Christ.
5.The Examples of the First Disciples and Their Deep Fellowship with Christ
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The disciples grew through daily fellowship with Christ and were changed by the Holy Spirit.
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John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was transformed by closeness to Christ from an ambitious and fiery man into a symbol of love.
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This deep spiritual fellowship with Christ is still available to every believer today.
6.The Ongoing Presence of Christ in Our Lives
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After His ascension, Jesus remained united with His disciples through the Holy Spirit—He remains in the hearts of believers today in the same way.
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Life in Christ means not only following Him, but fully uniting oneself with Him.
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Christ is the author and finisher of our faith (Ephesians 4:15)—in Him lies our entire hope for growth and perfection.
Summary
Chapter 8 underscores the importance of spiritual growth in Christ. It shows that this growth is not achieved through human effort but solely through connection with Christ. Just as plants need light, water, and nourishment to thrive, the believer needs Christ as the source of life. Walking daily with Christ, engaging in consistent prayer, and surrendering fully to Him lead to spiritual maturity. The disciples of Jesus are an example of how close fellowship with Christ can completely transform a person’s nature. The invitation is: “Remain in me”—whoever remains in Christ grows in faith, bears fruit, and is transformed into His image.
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