Showing favoritism is the most natural of human practices. Why wouldn't we favor those who have the power to make things happen for us? James gives us several reasons. Showing favoritism to rich people, for instance, is ungodly because God does not show favoritism. Such favoritism also demonstrates a faith in money rather than God. This favoritism is but one example. Where are we tempted to play favorites?

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For Reflection:

At the most basic level, we should not show favoritism because God's family is to operate differently than the world.

- Do you see favoritism of wealthy people in your church? Do you see favoritism of other groups of people? How does this favoritism show up and how do you think it affects your church as a whole?

- What are some steps you and your church could take to more clearly demonstrate and communicate that God is a God for all, a God who does not play favorites?

How do you know what you look like? Before the constant presence of cell phones with selfie capabilities, we relied on mirrors. Without them, knowing our own faces would be difficult. James compares the Word of God to a mirror that shows us, not our face, but our soul. And if we fail to live in light of God's Word, then it is as if we have looked in a mirror and immediately forgotten our own face. The Bible reveals not only who God is, but who we are.

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For Reflection:

Obedience to the Word of God is to live in light of who we truly are and who God calls us to be.

- Without the Word of God, who would you think you are? What would be your purpose in life? From the opposite perspective, how has God changed how you understand your identity and your relationship to God and to others?

- Can you recall a time when God invited you to live differently in light of who you are and who God calls you to be? What did God's Word say that helped you to better understand your identity?

James started his letter by telling us to be joyful when we face trials and temptations, because these tests are an opportunity to grow. In today's text, James returns to that idea by reminding us that it is "when" we are tempted, not "if". Rather than be surprised by temptations, we should expect and plan for them. God will not tempt us but God will certainly use temptation to strengthen us and lead us toward life!

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For Reflection:

Feeling tempted is not sinful, through what we do in response might be (vv14-15).

- When we sin, we might be tempted to blame others, even God. What are some ways that you see others attempting to evade responsibility for their own sinful choices? What are some ways that you are tempted to shift blame?

- Being tempted might lead us to think that we are far from God, when we are actually God's prized possession (v18). What do you see in today's text (or elsewhere) that helps you remember this truth?

Should we ever boast about our blessings? James says the poor should boast that God has honored them, and the rich should boast that God has humbled them. The poor have been given true, spiritual riches by God and the rich have had their illusions dispelled so that they can no longer put their hope in worldly riches. Do you feel honored? Do you feel humbled? Or are you still waiting to be blessed?

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For Reflection:

James encourages us to patiently endure testing and temptation, so we might receive fullness of life.

- Have you ever seen someone patiently endure incredible difficulty, and somehow God uses it to bring even greater life to that person? Perhaps you've seen it in your life? What happened in that situation?

- What helps you to have and maintain a healthier, more spiritual perspective during such times of trial or temptation? Are there people, places, or practices that sustain you through such times?

In this flashback from January 6, 2025, we see that John the Baptist had an important role to play, but he understood who he was and who he was not. He was not the Messiah. Instead, he was one who was to help people connect with Jesus, the only one who truly had the power to rescue people from their own darkness. There is a tremendous temptation for us to play messiah but tremendous freedom when we remember who we are, and who we are not!

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If you could ask God for anything, what would you ask? When Solomon had the chance to ask for anything, he asked for wisdom. Why? Not to bless himself, but so he could serve God well and bless others. When we ask in that spirit, in order to serve God and others with our whole selves, God will surely bless us!

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For Reflection:

James tells, "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you" (v5).

- Where do you need wisdom in your life? Where do you need God's guidance to make right decisions?

- If God granted you the wisdom to make the right decisions, how would it affect the people around you? How might others be blessed? How might God be blessed?

- Throughout the day, take the opportunity to ask God for the wisdom to live in a way that blesses others and God.

What challenges and difficulties do you face in your life? Do you consider it pure joy when you face these trials? No? Then this letter is for you! Rather than frustration, James exhorts us to consider our hardships as occasions for joy, because they are the opportunity for God to grow us to become the people we were meant to be. They are, or can be, the occasion for us to become more like Jesus!

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For Reflection:

We have a choice to make. We can allow frustration to overcome us or we can choose, in Christ, to embrace the opportunity to grow.

- What are some of the "opportunities for great joy" (v1) that are in your life right now?

- What people, places, and practices might help you to experience more joy and less frustration in those experiences?

Both the beginning and end of this passage, even the very closing of this letter, exhorts us to "devote ourselves to doing good" -- especially in meeting one another's needs. Those who insist on distracting and dividing us on other matters must be warned so that everyone will see the love of Jesus being lived out in our midst. What good might God have in mind for you to do?

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For Reflection:

"Devote yourself to doing good" (v8,14). We must take to heart the call of Jesus to love one another as he has loved us (John 15:12)!

- What drew you to Jesus? What did you experience from others that helped you to accept the grace of God?

- What have you seen God use in you or your actions to bless others and help them experience God's grace?

- If you were to ask others what they have seen God use in you to bless others and draw them closer to God, what might they say? Perhaps you can ask one or two people?

It can be difficult to show respect to the authorities, perhaps especially government authorities, when we believe that they do not deserve it. So why does Paul tell Titus to teach people to show gentleness, humility, and respect to such people? Because of God's grace. We did not deserve gentleness, humility, and respect yet that's exactly what Jesus showed to us in order to save us. Jesus invites us to put our hopes in his kingdom rather than Caesar's.

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For Reflection:

Jesus invites us to live for a kingdom that operates with different rules and goals.

- Imagine you were listening to Titus share these instructions from Paul. What questions might you have had? What concerns? Any objections?

- "Always ready to do what is good" (v1) is a clear limit on submission to authority. We must also "not slander anyone" and "avoid quarreling" (v2). How might you rephrase or explain these instructions in our present context?

What does it mean to fear God—and why would the Bible call that a good thing? Pastor Richard Lee takes us from the heights of the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the gravitational center of our spiritual universe, challenging everything we assume about fear, danger, and reverence. Could it be that the only rational fear... is the fear that reorders everything else?

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