Moving to Maturity

When you love watching your children grow up — physically, socially, intellectually — how much more does God want to see His children grow spiritually? James 5 is where James finishes his letter with a final push toward maturity, and he doesn't pull any punches.

In this message from "A Faith That Works," Pastor Ron opens James 5:1–12 and covers three marks of a maturing believer: generosity, patience, and honesty.

Growing in Generosity:

James opens with some of the most severe language in the letter — weep and howl, you rich, for your miseries are coming. He isn't condemning wealth; he's condemning hoarding it and using it to take advantage of others. The love of money distorts people. A maturing believer holds their resources loosely, uses them to bless others, and recognizes they're a steward, not an owner.

Growing in Patience:

James calls believers to be patient for the coming of the Lord, using the farmer as the illustration — he waits through the early and latter rains without demanding the harvest on his own schedule. The example of Job is held up: Job went through enormous suffering, but his eyes were on eternity, not the here and now. The Lord is very compassionate and merciful, and He sees the end from the beginning.

Growing in Honesty:

James closes this section with a straightforward command: let your yes be yes and your no be no. A maturing believer doesn't need to swear by heaven or earth to be believed. Their word is their bond, their integrity speaks for itself. Simple, consistent honesty is a mark of genuine faith.