"For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead." (James 2:26)
The Epistle of James is a handbook on practical Christian living, described as the "Proverbs of the New Testament." James the author, was the oldest half-brother of Jesus, although he never mentions the fact.
James writes to Jewish believers scattered around the Mediterranean, issuing warnings and offering instructions on how to live. He asks his readers to "count it all joy when you fall into various trails, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience" (James 1:2-3). None of us should blame God for the temptations we face, for "Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire." (James 1:13-14). James calls special attention to the tongue, calling it "but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." (James 3:8). We must be careful about our words, especially as many of us struggle to refrain from judging fellows believers. James tells us that when we judge each other, we judge the law, and by doing so we subject ourselves to harsh judgement. He tells us "There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?" (James 4:12).
And in what is perhaps his major point, James clarifies the meaning of genuine faith. He inextricably connects faith to practical works and results. He insists on concrete, seven-days-a-week, working faith that produces positive results. Without good works, James says, faith is dead, useless, a nonentity (James 2:17,20). The kind of faith that does not produce righteousness is little different from the kind of faith the devil possesses, because even demons believe in God (James 2:19). Genuine faith takes hold of the promises of God and does something with them; it is active, not passive. And so Elijah's faith caused him to take a risk ans stand up for God (James 5:17,28).
James writes to Jewish believers scattered around the Mediterranean, issuing warnings and offering instructions on how to live. He asks his readers to "count it all joy when you fall into various trails, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience" (James 1:2-3). None of us should blame God for the temptations we face, for "Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire." (James 1:13-14). James calls special attention to the tongue, calling it "but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." (James 3:8). We must be careful about our words, especially as many of us struggle to refrain from judging fellows believers. James tells us that when we judge each other, we judge the law, and by doing so we subject ourselves to harsh judgement. He tells us "There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?" (James 4:12).
And in what is perhaps his major point, James clarifies the meaning of genuine faith. He inextricably connects faith to practical works and results. He insists on concrete, seven-days-a-week, working faith that produces positive results. Without good works, James says, faith is dead, useless, a nonentity (James 2:17,20). The kind of faith that does not produce righteousness is little different from the kind of faith the devil possesses, because even demons believe in God (James 2:19). Genuine faith takes hold of the promises of God and does something with them; it is active, not passive. And so Elijah's faith caused him to take a risk ans stand up for God (James 5:17,28).
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