Amid injustice and suffering, we can feel driven to take matters into our own hands, to get revenge. James, instead, reminds us to wait on the Lord. By establishing our heart in God, we find the hope that will carry us through this time until He returns to make all things right.

We are all wealthy people, whether that be through money, talents, or ultimately, the grace and mercy given to us through Christ. James' grave warning to financially wealthy people can be applied to each us and how we handle the riches God has entrusted to every person.

A heart of pride often reveals itself through a desire to be the one in control, that we should be one who makes the decisions and judgments, not only in our own lives but the lives of others. We play the role of lawgiver and judge. James bluntly corrects this belief. There is only one Judge.

The source of fighting and conflict is not found in our circumstances or other people. According to James, it is the war of our desires within each individual, an internal battle that creates external conflicts. But in the midst of our battle, He gives us more grace.

For James, wisdom is not about having a certain amount of knowledge or demonstrated through intelligence. Wisdom is displayed by applying truth to life. It is shown in how we conduct ourselves. And it is our behaviour that shows whether we are following the wisdom of this world or the wisdom seen in the life of Jesus Christ.

Out of the heart, the mouth speaks. The only way to tame the "restless evil" of the tongue is not through human effort, but through the power of God to transform the human heart.

A murderous Saul is transformed into the apostle Paul. This is the power of God through the Holy Spirit to change anybody into a new creation.

James connects faith with works and we need to keep them together. Works done without faith is work done by and for ourself. We must also remember that we work for a big God. Do we have a faith big enough to do the big works our God may ask of us?

James provides clarity on a important idea: faith and works are inseparable. While works do not create salvation, our works do reveal true faith.

James continues his instruction against favoritism and judgment by appearance. As a people who have experienced the mercy and love of God, and not his judgment, we ought to be people of mercy and love to all.