TODAY’S first two verses could have been written directly to us. Sadly, we are seeing the effects of evil in society in a way so far unknown in our lifetimes. The idea of order, not just in a legal sense, but in our schools and homes has almost disappeared. Christians often feel totally helpless to cope with some of the problems. James tells us that there is no point in allowing our tempers to flare up. Untamed human anger is a destructive force. Instead we should rely on the positive. We need to be active in the destruction of moral decadence. The sure way to do this is by obedience to the word of truth which God has given us and which will save us.

However, James wants us to be men and women of action. Talk is easy. It is action which will prove that we are genuine. Our generation’s besetting sin is a refusal to submit to authority. James reminds us that true freedom is found only when we live by the law and keep it in mind all the time. If we are to do this then we need to be regular in our reading of the Scriptures. We can’t live by what we don’t know!

God is essentially practical. When we see a need which we can relieve, as Christians we must give all the help we can. We are to be in the world working among its corruption and yet remain untouched by it. This is impossible unless we are saturated in prayer and so protect ourselves from pollution. You wouldn’t dream of tackling a dirty job without putting gloves on to keep your hands clean, and neither should we try to tackle any moral clean up without first asking God to go with us and protect us, so pray today for those in the front line and don’t forget to put your own gloves on! As individual Christians we need to make our own peace with God first before we begin to intercede for society.