This post is Day 12 in a series of studies about “Doors & Gates”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Doors & Gates – Day 12

The letter of James is full of good advice. Often things that we do not want to hear because they prick our conscience! He must have been very frustrated with the behaviour of some of the christians he met, and irritated with the leaders of the new churches he visited.

James 5:9

Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

The Thought

The letter of James is full of good advice. Often things that we don’t want to hear because they prick our conscience! He must have been very frustrated with the behaviour of some of the christians he met, and irritated with the leaders of some of the new churches he visited.

There are several “James” mentioned in the gospels. But the author is thought by most historians to be the James who was the brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55, Mark 6:3) because his letter reflects much of the teachings of Jesus.

As I read this letter, I feel James’s frustration as he wants to shout “Don’t you remember what Jesus said?” He would probably say the same thing to much of the church today, me included.

It is good for many of us who call ourselves Christians to read and remember what James says. We should also imagine The Judge of all mankind standing behind a door listening to conversations before He opens the door and surprises everyone.

This verse also makes me think of a famous painting by Holman Hunt of Jesus knocking at the door. It is said to represent Him knocking at the door of someone’s heart or somebody’s life, but there is no handle. Jesus cannot get in unless the person inside opens the door. What a great picture for us as believers. Most of us have given Jesus access to our lives. But we still keep some of those inner doors closed, supposing He can’t see what goes on in our thoughts.

Action

Ask Jesus today if there are any doors that you have kept closed to Him.

Pray for those you know who have not yet let Him into their heart. Pray that they would know how easy it is to open that door, not so much to a Judge, but to a Saviour.