The book of James reads a bit like a sermon. As you go through chapter one, you will find topics that will spring up throughout the book. What are some topics you can find that are repeated? One example is the rich or the poor. These groups are mentioned in chapters one, two, four, and five.

The first references to them are in James 1:9-11. As you read these verses, try to understand what James is saying ultimately equalizes us, regardless of our economic success:

“Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.”

Since the lowly brother is contrasted with the rich, we can see that James was writing about those who are literally impoverished. The poor brother can glory, or boast, in his exaltation. What was that? James would explain. He said that God has “chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him” (Jas 2:5). There is a difference in elevation. Regardless of the lowliness of one’s material well-being, any person who lives by faith in Jesus Christ is lifted up.

Further, no matter how wealthy someone is, death comes to us all. The faithful, rich brother is instructed to boast in this fact. It will bring him down to the right level, humbling him in the sight of the Lord. James promised another change in elevation. Anyone who humbles himself in God’s sight will be exalted (Jas 4:10). On the other hand, all who live pursuing wealth, misusing it, and mistreating others will have a just judgment waiting for them (Jas 5:1-6). While the poor also die, whoever endures the challenges of this life, loyally loving the Lord, will be blessed (Jas 1:12; 5:7-11).

Peter quoted Isaiah saying, “All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And the flower falls away, But the word of the Lord endures forever” (1 Pet 1:24-25).

We are all humans made in the likeness of God, and we should not be respecters of persons (Jas 3:9; 2:9). We all grow closer to death, and we can have no eternal life without Jesus as our Lord. Pursue it and help others in such a pursuit.

– Van Sprague (Church of Christ at Houston Park, Selma, Alabama)

If sinning were a competition, Paul said he was first. Of course, he wasn’t boasting, he was setting up his point that he was also first in the pack to be saved by Jesus (“Chief” and “first” in the next quote are translated from the same word).

“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life” (1 Tim 1:15-16).

Though Paul was one of the greatest opponents of God and His people (Acts 9:1-6; 22:1-5), when he saw the proof that Jesus was the resurrected Christ, he believed and became a pattern to others. His life provides an example that shows that one may have everlasting life through Jesus regardless of his or her past, abilities, or challenges.

When Paul asked Jesus what to do, Jesus didn’t say, “Nothing, you believe in me,” or, “Do a lot of good things and you’ll be saved.” He sent Paul to Damascus where he also sent Ananias. Ananias was to teach Paul what he must do (Acts 9:6-7, 10-19). We don’t have the whole lesson, but we do know that Paul was penitent, because now that he believed that Jesus was the Son of God, he wasn’t going to fight against Him anymore. In the conclusion of his message to Paul, Ananias said:

“The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:14-16).

Regardless of Paul’s past, his obedience to the message of Christ was enough for his sins to be washed away. Today it is still enough, no matter what you may have done. But God wasn’t finished with Paul yet. Paul was a chosen vessel of God to bear His name (Acts 9:15).

His enemies said, “His bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible” (2 Cor 10:10). If so, that was the point. Paul had explained:

“And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Cor 2:1-5).

Further emphasizing this fact, Paul had some type of health issue that he wanted to be rid of. He reflected:

“And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:7-10).

Also today, regardless of where we have come from, how talented (or untalented) we are, or how physically capable we feel, if we give God what we have, he makes it enough.

More than enough.

– Van Sprague (Church of Christ at Houston Park, Selma, Alabama)