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Seeing the heart of another person is not easy but it is the way God sees them and it is the way God
sees us. It is also difficult to see ourselves as God sees us. We have a tendency to discount or exaggerate the gifts and
strengths God has given us. Perhaps we have been raised to believe it is arrogant to put yourself forward as having something
to contribute to a discussion or situation and so you sit back waiting to be invited personally to contribute.
As Christians, we are to live the life
of love. God is love. To be more like Jesus, we would have to be more loving in all our ways. We are to be more concerned
with others than just self. James says “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look
after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (1:27). There are many Christians who are self-centred, self-focused, who care for nothing else except
self. Their perpetual question is ‘what is in it for me?’. Such behaviours bring shame to the Christian faith.
We often hear this being said. ‘look at that guy. He calls himself a
Christian. If that is the way Christians are, then I do not want to be a Christian’. It is sad whenever we hear such
remarks from non-Christians. This is sad
but true. Though Christians are to be more Christ-like after their conversion many do not change. Even though they do change,
they change only superficially. Deep-rooted, lasting changes come about only when the ‘inner person’ of people
are changed. This comes about only through a change of worldview. It comes about only when we change the way that we look
at this world – the way we look at life – the way we look at the events of life. Many believers today are generally materialistic, pragmatic and individualistic. They are also highly temporal in their
outlook.
Many see life here as of top importance.
Many do not give a second thought to life beyond this world. Young believers coming into the Christian faith have this as
their worldview. They are to journey from being dependent on self, people and materialism and from being focused on this world
alone to be dependent on God and be eternity-minded. This is what James calls for his brethren to do. They are to be
more dependent on God. They are to be more focused on eternity. We can be dependent
on God for all things. When people in the world want things they quarrel and fight for these things. James asks “What
causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't
get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not
ask God” (4:1-2).
In our day to day life we see christians
and worst of all Pastors back-stabbing each other. They bad-mouth others – trying to destroy their reputation
so that they themselves can be seen in better light. They show favouritism hoping to gain favours from those in positions
of power – for example bosses or pastors. James tells us that if we want anything we should simply ask God. He tells
us that we should use our words to bless and not to hurt others – that we should be in more control of our tongues.
He tells us not to show favours – that we should treat everyone equally – with the spirit of love.
We can do these when we know that God is a God of abundance – we do not lack anything –
all we have to do is to ask God – so we need not resort to unchristian ways in order to get what we want. This comes from a transformed worldview. A worldview that is not materialistic, pragmatic or
individualistic – but a worldview that is dependent on God. A worldview that does not solely focus on this world but
a worldview that weighs things in the light ofeternity.
This world is filled with
much uncertainties. Nothing can be taken for granted nowadays. We need to change our worldview. To change our mindset. So
that we can show to people in the world who Jesus is. We need to be God dependent. We need to be eternity-minded. We can do
so when we spend time in prayers. James mentions prayers as an activity in the midst of everyday activities. When we lack
wisdom ask God – pray. When we lack something we want ask God – pray. When we are sick – ask elders to pray
for us. Pray as part and parcel of our daily activities. Secondly, to change our worldview – our mindset – not only read the Word of God but also obey what it
says. Know what God has to say about all the situations of life so that we know what God’s will is in differing circumstance.
And when we know what God says in a certain situation – obey it – do not rely on our own understanding. Thirdly,
do not forsake meeting together – the more we are in each other’s company the better – we need to encourage
and be encouraged – to love and be loved – to pray for and be prayed for – to teach each other and to learn
from each other – so that together we can be a true community.
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