All of Life Under the Reign of Christ

By Aaron Kauffman

If you want to get a sense for how the gospel touches all areas of life in just over 100 verses, read the book of James. Most likely penned by the brother of Jesus himself, James gives practical advice on what it means to live out God’s kingdom before a watching world. Here’s a sampling (all quotes from NIV):

Wisdom: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (1:5)

Perseverance: “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (1:12)

Obedience: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (1:22)

Compassion and purity: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (1:27)

Equality: “My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.” (2:1)

Faith and action: “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” (2:26)

Speech: “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” (3:10)

Peacemaking: “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” (3:18)

Spiritual warfare: “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (4:7)

Economic justice: “Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.” (5:4)

Truth-telling: “Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’” (5:12)

Healing: “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.” (5:14)

Holistic witness is about letting the gospel declaration that Jesus is Lord permeate every corner of our lives. That’s why Virginia Mennonite Missions works not only at evangelism and church planting, but also with refugees, relief and development, human trafficking, peacebuilding, creation care, education and health. Christ’s kingdom impacts all of life, and so should our witness as his people.