James, Day 4 Readings

Trusting God Through Action   

Today's reading builds on the warnings of unwise speech.  Too often, Christians live in ways contrary to their professed belief that God is in control.  They fall victim to earthly desires, trying desperately to obtain possessions and pleasures.  They become judgmental of others.  They brag about their plans for the future.

Each of these things suggests that humans are in control, rather than God.  To better live out their faith, Christians must live out their trust in God.  They must trust God's blessings instead of seeking earthly pleasures.  They should let God judge (and forgive), just as God has judged (and often has forgiven) them.  And they should recognize that only God holds the keys to the future, and what happens tomorrow is in God's control, not theirs -- meaning also, not ours.

Read James 4:1-17  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read James 4 today.