Read: James 2:1-13

James concludes this section of his letter about words - ours and Gods, by asserting that if our relationship with God is real, we will be changed by it.

Our relationship with God makes a difference in our lives, and we in turn make a difference in the world - beginning with those who are most vulnerable.

Our world has a way of taking advantage of desperate people, and then exploit them for profit. In James' patriarchal world where the man of he house is responsible for the livelihood of women and children, widows and orphans are easy prey for exploiters.

The Bible defines "injustice" as the misuse of power - that someone in position of power uses that power to oppress and mistreat someone less powerful. God's heart aches for victims of in justice, and they are the first priority in God's garden rebuilding project.

So James says the first area God wants to impact in our relationship with him is our love and action for victims of injustice.

Actually, he says if we are NOT doing anything to help the plight of the victims of injustice around us, our relationship with God amounts to nothing.

Write
Think about your faith story: how have you experienced or witnessed injustice (misuse of power) in your life? How have you participated in helping people in need? how is God changing your heart and action towards victims of injustice?

In what ways you ignore or shut out people who are suffering injustice? How do you protect yourself from getting involved?

What are some people you see around you who need help finding freedom from injustice? What are some opportunities in your weekdays to do some good for them?

Pray
What is God saying to you today?

Talk to God about how your experience of injustice, and how it feels to have suffered it or to witness it.

Talk to God about the aversion you feel about seeing suffering people. What do you need from God to help you act?

Pray for the suffering people you see around you. Ask God for the opportunities and the resources to make a dfference.

Pray for a fresh experience of God's love, grace and mercy as God transform you by using you to help suffering people, and as you participate in the righting of injustices.