In the second half of James chapter 4, he writes about a few areas that can get in the way of relationships. This isn't surprising. The first half he was writing about why his readers might get into arguments and fights. So the conversation continues. Don't talk evil about one another, don't boast, and be arrogant about your plans or your situations. Live humbly before God and with each other!

James started talking about wisdom in chapter 3, and says something interesting, that wisdom has sources, one of which is "from above" but others of which are not. We must have discernment to know what the source of wisdom is to ensure we are following what we should. This sets up the conversation for chapter 4. He says that those who befriend the world are at odds with God. The enemy will use deception to try and cause friendship with the world rather than pursuing relationship with God through repentance, cleansing, purifying, and pursuit! Not only does this affect our relationship with God, but with those around us as well. And this is the greater conversation James is having, what it means to live the Christian life and live in Christian community.

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.