In our final installment of the faith/works discussion, James offers two Old Testament examples of works that provide evidence of faith. He could not have picked more polar opposite characters to reference, but that also should provide great encouragement to us as we reflect upon our own lives.
Read MoreJames continues his exposition of the faith/works debate by isolating the merit of faith without works. Are works needed to prove faith? Can works justify a man without faith? Is faith alone what distinguishes a Christian?
Read MoreJames continues his discussion of the faith/works relationship with an example to illustrate his point. He magnifies the empty promises we make when we half-heartily apply Scripture, for what good is it to wish someone well but not practically help to fill a need? In other words, talk is cheap without backing it up with action!
Read MoreJames begins a new initiative beginning in verse 14 that touches upon salvation and the relationship between faith and works. Specifically, James addresses one question in particular: How can you tell if a person is truly saved when he/she professes to be a Christian?
Read MoreAs we have learned studying James, faith application of God's Word is paramount in producing fruit that publicly testifies to our identity in Christ. It defines who we are and points to God as the motivation for our behavior. Our application of Scripture cannot be emphasized enough in its importance to the survival of true, Biblical Christianity, but it must glorify God and not self.
Read MoreOne of the greatest misconceptions concerning the Bible according to skeptics is that it limits free will. Moreover, proponents believe it is culturally irrelevant, narrow-minded, judgmental and restricting of all life has to offer. They view it metaphorically as a ball and chain, shackling us to standards that are archaic and not applicable to today's society.
Read MoreThere is an ongoing spiritual battle between our flesh and the Spirit of the living God that dwells in the heart of every saved human being. This battle is extremely discreet, yet it has devastating effects that are glaring in the body of Christ. The battle exists on various levels, but two in particular warrant attention: hierarchies of sin and minimization.
Read MoreThe common belief in secular culture is that we who are "saved by grace" Christ-followers (Ephesians 2:8-9) take the Bible very seriously. We are identified most notably to the public by one man (Jesus) and one book (the Bible), yet our unity and beliefs are severely questioned by skeptics. Why? James answers this question pointedly.
Read MorePartiality within the body of Christ is intolerable, but what is even more concerning is the level of self-protection that fuels partiality. Self-protection is self-serving and caters to its own desires. It manipulates its environment in order to ensure that self is deemed most important, even if that requires making decisions that include showing favoritism.
Read MoreThere are those who are financially poor, others that are spiritually poor, and still others that are relationally poor. Yet I wonder how we personally view those who are poor in all facets of the word? Do we distance ourselves or draw near? Do we regard them more or less? Or do we place different stigmas, assumptions or expectations on people who are financially poor more so than spiritually poor?
Read MoreThere is an epidemic in the body of Christ (this side of heaven) called partiality. It is not a term used often because it is justified as an issue of preference rather than prejudice, but it is easily identified in the over-saturation of church buildings and denominations across the United States.
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