The Study of James

July 20, 2009

~Denise Grant

 

     Ever felt inundated by the floods of extravagant claims of miraculous and revolutionary products as you flip the television or the surf the internet? Companies press hard to assure us that their products are “new” and “improved” and can change your very life – in the blink of an eye. For a disreputable amount of money, we can have something bigger, better and bolder. But talk is cheap and we soon realize their boasts are hollow and quite far from the truth.

 

     Just like product promoters, Christians too make great claims and are often guilty of belying such claims by their actions. Professing to trust God and to be His people, they cling tightly – too tightly – to the world and its values. Possessing all the right answers, they contradict the gospel with their very lives.

 

     The central theme of James’ epistle is that genuine faith will inevitably produce good works. The writer of James is not James the apostle (or disciple), but James, Jesus’ brother - a leader in the Jerusalem church. It was probably written before A.D. 50, to first century Jewish Christians residing in Gentile communities outside Palestine – and to all Christians everywhere.

 

     Christians were scattered throughout the Roman world, and because these early believers did not have the support of established Christian churches, James wrote to them as a concerned leader, to encourage them in their faith during that difficult time. He supplied practical advice on living the right Christian life – not just persecuted Christians then – but to us even today.

 

     During the next two weeks, I’ll attempt to dissect and discuss James – a mere five chapter “how-to” book on Christian living. Confrontation, challenge and commitment await you; tucked inside its pages. Come on, grab your Bible and let’s study James together, while we work to become “doers” of the Word – “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it – he will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:22-25

 

Lord God,

 

     You don’t desire that we simply “hear” Your truth – but to do it!  Living faith makes a difference. Help us Lord to make sure our faith is more than just a statement - - it should also result in action. Help me be alert to ways of putting my faith to work for You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Denise Grant - Just "clay" in the Master Potter's hands.

 

The man who walks with God always gets to his destination.

If you have a  pulse you have a purpose.