The Bible tells us there will be a day of judgment. The book of James provides followers of Jesus with a warning and a promise about that day. James announces the Lord's future coming as Judge (5:7–9; see also Isaiah 26:21; Micah 1:3). God, who gave the law, is the "Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy" (James 4:12). Those who oppose Jesus Christ and oppress his followers will experience severe consequences (see James 2:6–7; 5:5–6).
God will judge followers of Jesus if they do these wrong things:
God will judge them according to the law that was meant to set them free (2:12).
The Lord’s future coming affects our lives now. God already honors the faithful poor and humbles the rich who treat them badly (James 1:9–10; 5:2–3). Followers of Jesus are already God’s special people as God is restoring all things (1:18). James says we should obey "the royal law" of the kingdom of Jesus the Messiah (2:8). Followers of Jesus will one day inherit this kingdom (2:5).
The return of Jesus might not happen soon. So James encourages Christians to endure and wait patiently for Jesus' return (James 1:3–4; 5:7–8). They will "receive the crown of life" (1:12). And they will gather the rewards of righteousness, which come from a life that is faithful to God (3:18).
Since judgment is coming, James commands followers of Jesus to "resist the devil" and "submit" themselves to God (James 4:7). We should "mourn" our sin and live with pure intentions and actions (4:8–9). We must help any Christian brother or sister who is moving away "from the truth" toward eternal death (5:19–20). Like the prophet Elijah, we must have faith, and practice prayer and confession (5:13–18). Like Job, we must endure suffering. Eventually, we will understand the extent of God’s kindness and mercy (4:10; 5:11).
Passages for Further Study
1 Samuel 2:10; Psalms 2:7–12; 96:11–13; Isaiah 26:21; Micah 1:3; Matthew 16:27; Luke 12:35–48; 18:8; John 5:22–30; Acts 10:42; 1 Corinthians 4:5; James 5:7–9; 1 John 2:28