The only way that there could be a rich harvest of souls from all the earth was for Jesus Christ to die on the cross, like a grain of wheat falling into the earth. Jesus

James gives us an analysis of true faith. True faith always works, always produces a profound change in character and conduct. True faith is marked by steadfastness in trials, humility, control of the tongue, impartial love for the saints, nonjudgmentalism, godliness, heavenly wisdom and a prayerful dependence on God, as revealed in Christ through the Gospel.

Since Jesus, the Son of God is the Son of David who fulfills the Law in His life, death and resurrection, we will all stand or fall based on our faith in Him.

Prayer and praise should be the constant language of Christians. God intends for prayer to be a powerful tool in both physical and spiritual healing, deliverance from sickness and forgiveness of sins.

Christians, aware of God's condemnation for all liars, should never need to back up what they say with any kind of oath, since all they speak should be nothing but the truth, as those united with the Lord Jesus Christ, who was and is full of grace and truth.

True faith in Jesus Christ always keeps listening with a receptive heart to the voice of God heard in the proclamation of the Gospel.

In times of suffering or oppression, Christians need to develop godly patience (exemplified by Old Testament saints and Jesus Christ); guard against infighting; and live with a lively awareness of their accountability to Jesus Christ when He comes again.

The terrible fate of rich oppressors reminds Christians that God will one day avenge those who wrong them and also warns Christ's followers of the seductive power of wealth.

We must resist the evil of bragging about what we will do in the future, since, as Christians, God has called us to consider the impermanence of our lives as well as His overarching and overriding will.