In the beginning of chapter 3, James takes 12 verses to explain a simple, yet profound point: What we say matters! James warns of the power of our words, and the effect they have on the people around us, and on our own lives. How is it that we can praise God in one breath and then curse those made in His image in the next? He draws on the teachings of Jesus, highlighting the need for clean water, and good fruit, because out of our lives, out of our heart, the mouth speaks. And what we put into our lives will determine what comes out of them.

Working our way through the second chapter of James, we are confronted with a difficult truth, faith has more to it than just believing. Saving faith? By no means (as Paul would say), for we are indeed saved by Grace, through Faith, and this is not of any works of the law. Yet, James encourages that this saving faith leads to a faith walked out in obedience. As John writes, if we say we love God but hate our brother, we are liars. The love of God brings us to the love of others, in the great commandment. Faith, unless it has works, is dead.

Chapter 1 of the letter of James finishes with insight on what it means to give priority to the word of God. It makes us ask if we truly give the word of God authority in our lives. Do we believe what it says? Why do we believe what we believe? Do we put into practice the things it tells us to? In the Word of God we find life, not only because it is God's word to us, but because it leads us toward a way of living in obedience to the will of God that truly blesses us.

New Series! Faith that Works: Looking at the book of James. James has much to say about faith, and about the life of the believer in relation to our commitment to Christ. He was writing to people wrestling with this new life, the challenges of life, the way of the old law, and the hope of an eternal future. Join us as we go through the book of James.