By Cherin Kim

12/31/15: James 5:13-20

Summary!

First, James talks about how if someone has sinned, they will be forgiven if they confess their sins and pray. Then, James says that if someone in our community wanders from the truth, we should try to bring that person back.

Analysis!

Basically, James is introducing two key ideas here: (1) there's hope if you have sinned, and (2) if someone else we know has sinned, we should try to help them get back on the right track.

How to Apply to Your Life!

James's advice is quite relevant in light of the new year. Happy 2016, everyone! A new year is really exciting because it means a clean slate and a fresh start. Did you struggle with anything during 2015? Maybe...

• ...you didn't get a good grade in a class?
• ...you didn't do as well as you'd hoped on a sports team?
• ...you had trouble getting along with your friends and making new ones?
• ...you had a lot of trouble with time management and spent way too much time on Facebook, Youtube, etc. while procrastinating on important work?
• ...you were depressed and felt like your life had no meaning?
• ...you felt confused because you didn't know you want to be when you grow up and so you don't know in which direction to go?
• ...you wondered why you went to church and you felt like it was boring and you want to get closer to God but don't know how?
• (and more)

Many of the above describe my situation in 2015. If the same is true for you, then listen up: you're at the right time, because there's nothing like the new year to fix your problems and resolve to change your lifestyle once and for all. James says there's still hope, even if we've sinned. (Yes, I'm pretty sure laziness is a sin.) All we need to do is pray thoroughly. Confess your sins and you will be forgiven, which means (1) acknowledge it's a sin, (2) admit that you committed it, (3) ask God for forgiveness, and (4) now that you've taken care of the "words" part, change your "actions" to show and reflect your new state of mind. Now this can be difficult, but you'll feel a lot more refreshed and at peace afterwards. In addition, taking James's second statement into consideration, if you know someone else that's in such a predicament, have courage and take the initiative to help them. Not only is it the right thing to do and will you be saving them from spiritual death, but they also might just help you out in the future when you're suffering from hardship.

In fact, this is closely related to new year's resolutions. While setting up your resolutions, remember that it's okay to make mistakes and there's still hope for anyone, no matter how much they have strayed from their path  - just follow the process above. At the same time, keep in mind that a commitment is a commitment, so stay true to the words of your resolutions and don't cheat yourself by breaking your promises. I think this is the hardest part of a resolution - persevering and going through with it to the end even when it's really hard.

Here are some of my new year's resolutions:

• exercise and become healthier
• spend less time on social media
• do Sena every single day in January, and try to do it every single day every month afterward
• do not use the Safari app on my iPhone unless it's an emergency
• be more considerate to my family
• learn to focus and not become distracted

After you say what you want to do, take action and actually do the actions that are necessary to achieve your goals. It's never too late to change your life.