The epistle of James is straightforward. How greatly we need the messages in it right now! So, for the next three months, Sabbath school students worldwide will be delving into Studies in the Epistle of James. Vital points on the influence of the tongue (for good or evil), obedience to God by faith, the power of prayer, and the example of Elijah are just a few key topics. Why is this all so relevant today?

“The sin of this age is disregard of God’s express commands. The power of influence in a wrong direction is very great.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 483.

“Let none deceive themselves with the belief that they can become holy while willfully violating one of God’s requirements. The commission of a known sin silences the witnessing voice of the Spirit and separates the soul from God. ‘Sin is the transgression of the law.’ And ‘whosoever sinneth [transgresseth the law] hath not seen Him, neither known Him.’ 1 John 3:6.”—The Great Controversy, p. 472.

“Today there is need of the voice of stern rebuke; for grievous sins have separated the people from God. Infidelity is fast becoming fashionable. ‘We will not have this man to reign over us,’ is the language of thousands. Luke 19:14. The smooth sermons so often preached make no lasting impression; the trumpet does not give a certain sound. Men are not cut to the heart by the plain, sharp truths of God’s word.

“There are many professed Christians who, if they should express their real feelings, would say, What need is there of speaking so plainly? They might as well ask, Why need John the Baptist have said to the Pharisees, ‘O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?’ Luke 3:7. Why need he have provoked the anger of Herodias by telling Herod that it was unlawful for him to live with his brother’s wife? The forerunner of Christ lost his life by his plain speaking. Why could he not have moved along without incurring the displeasure of those who were living in sin?

“So men who should be standing as faithful guardians of God’s law have argued, till policy has taken the place of faithfulness, and sin is allowed to go unreproved. When will the voice of faithful rebuke be heard once more in the church?”—Prophets and Kings, pp. 140, 141.

“Ample provisions have been made for every son and daughter of Adam to obtain individually a knowledge of the divine will, to perfect Christian character, and to be purified through the truth.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 644.

We truly need God’s help and are clearly assured that “for every earnest prayer put up in faith for anything, answers will be returned. They may not come just as we have expected; but they will come, not perhaps as we have devised, but at the very time when we most need them.”—Ibid., vol. 3, p. 209. Amen!

The General Conference Sabbath School Department