The Book of James

FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012-

     A product that does not follow through with its advertised promise is not appealing. A hair dryer that does not dry hair, a cold medicine that does not relieve the symptoms of a cold, a car that does not have a steering wheel; these products all seem totally worthless to us. Why are they made worthless? Because the task that they are designed to complete is not being completed. A hair dryer that does not blow air would be best fit for a trash can. A car that does not move would probably be one destined for a junk yard.

     Christians are instructed by God to live lives that are meaningful and fruitful. Christians know that this is true, yet a majority of nominal Christians remain as fruitful as a dead tree. A Christian that does not follow through with his mission to produce good works is not appealing. James confronts this problem with direct and meaningful words.

     First of all, it is important to realize who James is writing to. Jewish Christians are the target audience in James’ letter. These Jews were persecuted and scattered throughout the Middle East due to persecution. They were persecuted by Gentiles because they were Jews, and they were persecuted by fellow Jews because they were Christians. Because they were in such fear, an adaptation to that current world’s philosophy and their own fleshly nature began to take place. Through God’s loving mercy and grace, He prepared a message in the heart of James which was poured out onto paper with words that we still admire today.

     There is a harmonious vein that flows through James, and to put it into my own words does it no justice. But for the sake of understanding, the theme I see is: A Call for Genuine Christianity that Produces Good Works. The book of James can easily be applied to “Today’s Christian” because when we look around, we easily see self-proclaimed Christians that produce little or no good works. The wonderful thing about God’s grace is that He does not let us stay where we are as true Christians. He allows the book of James, probably written around A.D. 49, to affect us in A.D. 2012. It just takes our effort as well to become a “doer” of the Word. 

     I challenge you, if you have not made James part of your recent bible readings, make time to read it with the intent to see something that can change you. God placed it there in love and through His mercy. It is at your disposal. James is probably my favorite book of the Bible. I look at it as my maintenance manual. My intention is not to demean the Word by saying it that way. In fact, the entire Bible should be read with the intent to maintain your life. 

     My plan is to preach through this book some time in the near future. I look forward to what it will do in my life! 

- A Youth Pastor