Rumination Journal

My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you lavish attention on the man in fine clothes and say, “Here is a seat of honor,” but say to the poor man, “You must stand” or “Sit at my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the noble name by which you have been called? If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. Whoever keeps the whole l...

My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.  Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.  If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in...

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation. — James 1:13-18 In this passage, James addresses the nature of temptation and clarifies that God is never the source of it. He reminds believers that while trials can strengthen faith, temptation arises from within, fueled by personal desires that lead to sin and ultimately to death. This progression highlights the serious consequences of unchecked sinful inclinations. James' words challeng...

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position. But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its flower falls and its beauty is lost. So too, the rich man will fade away in the midst of his pursuits. Blessed is the man who persevere...

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes of the Dispersion: Greetings. — James 1:1 The authorship of the Letter of James has been debated, as multiple individuals named James appear in the New Testament. However, most scholars attribute the letter to James, the brother of Jesus, for several reasons. First, this James became a significant leader in the Jerusalem church (Acts 15:13-21; Galatians 2:9), which aligns with the authoritative tone of the letter. Second, the letter reflects a deep connection to Jewish-Christian communities, consistent with James’ leadership among Jewish believers. Third, early Christian tradition, including references by Church Fathers such as Origen of Alexandria (c. 185 – c. 253) and Eusebius of Caesarea (c. 260/265 – 339), supports this attribution. While the letter does not explicitly state its author’s identity beyond “James, a servant of God,” the weight of evidence points to James, the brother of Jesus, as the most likel...

The following is part 12 of  “ Love that Binds ”:   “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” —John 13:35   The Need for Community Human beings are designed for community. From the earliest chapters of Genesis, we see that God created us to live in relationship with one another, reflecting His triune nature. A loving community provides support, encouragement, and a tangible expression of God’s presence in our lives. Jesus emphasized the importance of community when He gave His disciples a new commandment: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another” (John 13:34). This call to love is not only a personal mandate but also the foundation for building relationships that glorify God.   The Early Church: A Model of Loving Community The early church provides a powerful example of what a loving community looks like. In Acts 2:42-47, believers devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, bre...

The following is part 11 of  “ Love that Binds ”: I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and I know this very well. —Psalm 139:14   The Importance of Self-Love When Jesus commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:39), He assumes that we have a healthy love for ourselves. However, self-love is often misunderstood. It is not about selfishness or pride but about recognizing our value as individuals created and loved by God. Loving yourself in light of God’s love is an act of worship. It means seeing yourself as He sees you: fearfully and wonderfully made, a precious child of the King, redeemed by His grace. When you embrace this truth, you can love others more authentically and wholeheartedly.   Rooted in God’s Love   True self-love begins with understanding that your worth comes from God, not from your accomplishments, appearance, or the opinions of others. His love for you is unconditional an...

  The following is part 10 of  “ Love that Binds ”: Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. —Romans 12:17-18   The Challenge of Conflict Conflict is an inevitable part of life. Whether in our relationships, communities, or workplaces, disagreements and misunderstandings can arise, threatening to disrupt harmony. However, as followers of Christ, we are called to respond to conflict with love, humility, and a desire for peace. The world often encourages retaliation, but Scripture teaches a different path—one that seeks reconciliation and reflects the love of God. Loving others in the midst of conflict requires courage and grace, but it has the power to transform hearts and restore relationships. Jesus’ Example in Conflict Jesus faced conflict throughout His ministry, from confrontations with religious leaders to betrayal by those closest to Him. Y...

The following is part 9 of  “ Love that Binds ”: There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love. —1 John 4:18   The Obstacles to Loving Others Loving others, as Jesus commanded, is not always easy. Fear, prejudice, anger, and past hurts can create barriers that prevent us from expressing the fullness of God’s love. These obstacles, if left unaddressed, can limit our ability to form meaningful connections and hinder our spiritual growth.  Overcoming these barriers requires us to confront them honestly and rely on God’s strength. By examining the obstacles that hold us back, we can begin to cultivate a love that reflects the heart of Christ. Fear: The Opposite of Love Fear is one of the most significant barriers to love. Fear of rejection, fear of being hurt, or fear of the unknown can cause us to hold back from loving others fully. However, Scripture reminds us t...

  The following is part 8 of  “ Love that Binds ”: “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” —Matthew 5:44-45 A Radical Command Loving our enemies is one of the most challenging and transformative teachings of Jesus. It defies human logic and cultural norms, calling us to respond to hatred with love and to opposition with grace. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus elevates the standard of love, challenging His followers to embody the selfless love of God, who “causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good” (Matthew 5:45). This command is not about condoning wrongdoing or ignoring justice. Instead, it is about choosing to reflect God’s character, even in the face of hostility. Loving our enemies reveals the transformative power of God’s love in a broken world. Jesus’ Example of Loving Enemies Jesus did not just teach this principle—He lived it. He forgave those who mocked and crucified Him, prayi...

  The following is part 7 of  “ Love that Binds ”:   Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you. —Ephesians 4:32   The Power of Forgiveness Forgiveness is one of the most profound expressions of love. It is a gift that releases both the one who forgives and the one who is forgiven. Rooted in God’s grace, forgiveness allows us to reflect His character and build bridges of reconciliation in a broken world. In forgiving others, we mirror the mercy we have received from God. Jesus taught this truth in the Lord’s Prayer, saying, “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). Our willingness to forgive is both a response to God’s forgiveness and an act of love that heals relationships and honors Him.   Jesus’ Example of Forgiveness The life and ministry of Jesus are marked by acts of forgiveness. He forgave sinners, welcomed outcasts, and even forgave those who crucifie...

  The following is part 6 of  “ Love that Binds ”:     “Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.” —1 John 3:18 The Call to Active Love Love is more than a feeling or a spoken affirmation—it is an action. Throughout Scripture, love is demonstrated in tangible ways, from God’s provision for His people to Jesus’ acts of healing, teaching, and sacrifice. The Apostle John’s exhortation reminds us that true love must be evident in our actions, rooted in sincerity and truth. Loving through action means stepping beyond good intentions. It involves actively seeking the good of others, meeting their needs, and reflecting God’s love in every interaction. It is in these moments of action that love becomes visible and transformative.   Jesus as the Ultimate Example Jesus embodied love in action. He fed the hungry, healed the sick, comforted the grieving, and extended grace to the outcast. His ministry was defined by comp...