5:1 Imagine how devastating it would be for someone to look back on their life and realize that every time they had the opportunity to help someone they didn't. Imagine how decimating it would feel to realize how much potential and purpose was wasted. The shame and misery a person would feel would not be a punishment necessarily, just a sobering reality to awaken to.
5:2 Those who oppress others through the wealth and power they obtained on earth will come to be truly ashamed. For all of their corrupted gains they will realize they have nothing left: their fancy clothes gone, their money value-less, their status nonexistent.
5:3-6 Ill-gotten gains are despicable and common in our present day. Global companies use child labor, slave labor, and cheap labor exploiting their workers to the point of poverty while the company owners store money in their banks, vacation and never live an honest or compassionate day during their lives. This is only one example of rich oppression.
The Bible was written a long time ago and yet it speaks directly to the world we live in today. This corruption is alive and abundant in our world. We must be aware of our reality in order to work productively toward justice.
5:7 Be patient. Instead of joining in on a mad and corrupted rush for quick and substantial material gain, join in with the rhythm of nature: patient and productive. A lifelong, diligent effort toward the progression of justice and truth, compassion and wisdom yields much more than other lifestyle.
5:8 Establish your hearts. Examine yourself, the earth and humanity. Decide your values and then become them. Establish within yourself truth and hope and love and equality. The universe, creation, God is journeying toward you... offering you a spiritual, eternal lifetime of wonderment. He's coming to shoulder the full weight of every compassionate responsibility we work to uphold now.
5:9 Fix your temperament. Greet and express and interact with joy and appreciation. It abounds. Our attitude and disposition have impacts on the souls around us. We are able to influence and prod humans toward happiness. Understand that we all have shortcomings... do condemn a person for their fallibility is to condemn yourself to your own.
5:10 Find courage in the lives of the apostles and disciples, in the prophets and men and women who lived and worked in faith long before you even arrived here. Their lives have proved that through faith we endure all things. In your weak moments, delve into your faith. Remember the words of those who have encouraged us in faith:
- Romans 5:3-5 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
- 2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
- John 14:16-17 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
- John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
- 1 Peter 5:10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
5:11 So many have persevered before us, proving to us that we are strong and we are capable... and above all, we are loved by a compassionate and merciful creator.
5:12 Be an honest human. Be a sincere human. Ensure that you develop a reputation for always doing what you say you will do, when and in the manner you say you will do it. Be trustworthy. Allow people to count on your word.
5:13 Your faith should thrive both in tribulation and in joy. Your relationship with God is a beautiful thing, invite Him into your life always... not just when you need Him. Praise the glory and wonderment of His love and pray, communicate with Him. Celebrate with Him in joy. Keep the relationship healthy and thriving in every circumstance.
5:14-15 Pray for the well-being of others. Our prayer, our compassionate energy and effort brings together the conditions needed to help heal a person (internally and externally, physically and emotionally).
5:16 Be honest with one another about the times we might have been unfair or dishonest with them. Heal broken relationships. What you pray for for others is given to you. If you pray for the healing of another, God distributes health also to you.
We all know that illness exists. Disability exists. Pray for the ailing and the physically limited, become the strength they need to thrive. Illness and disability do not mean weakness. The specific conditions of each of our lives serve to strengthen us... if we realize that, nothing can make us feel weak.
5:17-18 This mention of Elijah is a metaphor of encouragement to us. Our prayers are heard, our needs are known. Our connection with the natural energy of spirituality allows it to know our needs and meet them. Abundantly. Triumphantly. Quickly. Completely. If this is a difficult concept to grasp, that is understandable... but develop your faith and realize its truth.
An excerpt from Luke 15:11-32 "It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found."
How do we do this? We give a person hope with our love and friendship. We offer them our help and the opportunities we can create for them. We make known their potential and their purpose and we help them to achieve it. If we notice an opportunity to inspire someone, we must take it. Never force anyone through fear or anger or superiority to do something... but if someone is lost and looking for a beacon, be their light.
Sometimes we are beacons of light to people without even realize. That is why it is so important that in every moment we are acting in faith and compassion. We are influencing people even when we do not realize. You may be saving someone with your smile, with your hope or kindness. There is no greater gift or joy to God than that.
