The Balance of Faith

Acting Boldly and Waiting Patiently

When to Act, When to Wait

The Cost of Inaction and the Power of Patience

Wealth, Responsibility, and Endurance

Reflections on James 4:17; 5:1-11

“Faith without action is hollow, 

and patience without hope is powerless.”

While in prison, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, the great Russian novelist, read the New Testament from cover to cover and learned much of it by heart. His dramatic conversion came after a life filled with indulgence, ambition, and rebellion. Dostoyevsky’s reflections on the cross of Christ, as well as his deep Christian faith, influenced not only his personal life but also his literary works. Like Dostoyevsky, in the Epistle of James, we find a striking balance between the urgency of righteous living and the call to steadfast endurance. James 4:17 and 5:1-11 compel us to act when we know the right thing to do and to wait with patience when life presses hard. 

These verses call us to examine both our inactions and our reactions—how we handle the blessings of wealth, the inevitability of suffering, and the needs of those around us. As believers, we are compelled to act when opportunities for good arise and to endure with faith when life presses hard. James challenges us to find that delicate balance: living with urgency to do good while also trusting in God’s timing, knowing that both are integral parts of our spiritual journey.

James 4:17: The Sin of Omission

In James 4:17, we read, “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” This verse is a sobering reminder that sin is not merely about doing wrong but also about failing to do what is right. It emphasizes the weight of omission—knowing what should be done and yet choosing inaction.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky, who once lived as a “wild young man” chasing fame and pleasure, came face to face with this truth. His life of indulgence—“eating, drinking, talking, music, theatre, and the company of women”—left him empty, and it was only through near-death and imprisonment that he began to see the weight of his inaction and sin. As Dostoyevsky later wrote, “I believe there is no one deeper, lovelier, more sympathetic, and more perfect than Jesus.” His recognition of Christ’s perfection and his own need for redemption mirrors the call in James 4:17 to live in awareness of God’s truth and act accordingly.

William Barclay, in his commentary on James, points out, “The most poignant regrets in life are not about the things we did but the things we did not do.” Like Dostoyevsky, we are urged to remain vigilant, resisting the spiritual complacency that causes us to overlook the good we are meant to accomplish.

Matthew Henry reflects similarly, noting, “Sins of omission, though they may be less noticed by men, are no less heinous before God than sins of commission.” Henry underscores that both our actions and inactions reveal the true state of our heart.

Dostoyevsky’s transformation highlights the truth of Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase: “If you know the right thing to do and don’t do it, that, for you, is evil.” Peterson’s interpretation draws attention to the personal responsibility we bear before God for our choices and challenges us to act when prompted by the Holy Spirit. When Dostoyevsky received a New Testament while in Siberian exile, it became the foundation for his radical change. His encounter with Scripture led him to understand that inaction in the face of truth is itself a form of sin, as James so plainly teaches.

James 5:1-6: A Warning to the Rich

James continues by addressing the dangers of wealth. In James 5:1-6, he writes about the impending judgment for those who misuse their riches: “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten.” Dostoyevsky, once captivated by the pursuit of fame and success, eventually came to realize the emptiness of worldly gain.

Dostoyevsky’s reflection on the consequences of wealth is echoed in his statement, “Men reject their prophets and slay them, but they love their martyrs and honor those they have slain.” Human nature often chases material success while rejecting the truth, only later to honor those who suffered for it. This insight parallels James’ warning to those who misuse their wealth and exploit others.

Charles Spurgeon, known for his passionate preaching, emphasized the fleeting nature of earthly wealth: “The riches of this world are like a puff of smoke, here for a moment and then gone forever. How foolish, then, to build our lives upon such sand.” Spurgeon reminds us, as Dostoyevsky learned,  that material wealth, when misused or hoarded, corrodes both the soul and society.

Alexander Maclaren warns, “To cling to wealth is to entangle the soul in a net of destruction.” Both Dostoyevsky and Maclaren highlight that the accumulation of riches, without a heart for justice and generosity, leads people away from God. Instead, James calls for justice and generosity toward others, particularly the oppressed and the poor.

James 5:7-11: Patience in Suffering

After addressing the rich, James turns to those who suffer, offering encouragement in James 5:7-11: “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord… Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” Like Dostoyevsky, who endured years of suffering in Siberia, believers are called to endure hardship with patience and trust in God’s ultimate justice.

Dostoyevsky’s understanding of suffering is evident in his profound statement: “What is hell? I maintain that it is the suffering of being unable to love.” For Dostoyevsky, suffering wasn’t just about physical pain but about the separation from love—ultimately, the love of God. His works, such as The Brothers Karamazov, reflect this belief that suffering without love leads to spiritual despair.

Matthew Henry notes the wisdom of patience in trials: “The greater our afflictions, the nearer is God’s relief. In the patience of the saints, there is an unwavering hope that God is not only watching but will act.” Henry reminds us that patience is not passive but active—rooted in faith that God’s timing is perfect.

Eugene Peterson reflects on this same passage by reminding us that Christian hope looks toward God’s ultimate redemption: “We wait patiently not because suffering is good but because God is good. It is His coming, His presence, that sustains us.” Peterson captures the essence of hope that anchors us in difficult seasons.

Spurgeon, too, often reflected on the need for patience: “The waiting season is never wasted. It is in the waiting that God works in us the deeper things we often overlook.” Spurgeon urges believers to see suffering as an opportunity for spiritual growth, as we learn to trust in God’s unseen work.

A Call to Act, A Call to Wait

James 4:17 and James 5:1-11 remind us of two essential aspects of the Christian life: the call to action and the call to wait. We are not only responsible for doing good when we are able, but we are also called to endure in times of hardship, knowing that God’s justice and mercy will prevail.

Dostoyevsky’s transformation from a man pursuing fleeting pleasures to one who discovered lasting peace in the love of Christ is a powerful example of the journey of faith. His statement, “If anyone proved to me that Christ was outside the truth, and it really was so that the truth was outside Christ, then I would prefer to stay with Christ than with the truth,” reveals his unwavering devotion to Jesus. This profound declaration mirrors the biblical truth that true freedom and eternal life are found in Christ alone. As Jesus said in John 8:32, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Dostoyevsky understood that Christ is the embodiment of truth, aligning with Jesus’ own words in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Additionally, Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guide believers into all truth, as seen in John 16:13: “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” Dostoyevsky’s journey reflects this promise as he was led from a life of worldly pursuits into the fullness of truth and freedom in Christ.

As we reflect on these passages we are encouraged to act boldly in righteousness, avoid the pitfalls of wealth, and trust patiently in God’s promises. Whether we are called to act or to wait, may we do so with hearts fully surrendered to God, trusting in His perfect timing and will.

Prayer

Lord, help us to act when we see opportunities for good, and forgive us for the times we have failed to do so. Teach us to use the resources You have given us wisely, not for selfish gain but for Your glory. And grant us patience in suffering, knowing that Your return is near and that Your justice will one day be fully realized. Amen.