What you believe about the future shapes how you live in the present.

For example, how do you respond when the rich and powerful take advantage of you and seem to get away with it? When you experience unjust suffering, do you do so with an eternal perspective?

Well, one of the foundational principles of theology is that what we believe shapes how we live. And James calls us to believe that Jesus is coming soon and when he does he will establish justice.

And because we know Jesus is coming to bring justice, that changes EVERYTHING. Specifically, in James 5:1-11, with this perspective in mind we are commanded to live with patient endurance.

As you read our text for today, spend some time considering how the return of Christ transforms how you live your Christian life. How should the reality of our future deliverance transform how we endure suffering in the present?

Pray that God would form us into a people who live with patient endurance. That our view of the end would transform how we live in the present.