Friday, Nov. 30

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Friday

Today marks the end of our series on the book of James called “The Gospel in Real Life”.  We have been examining how James instructs us in the practical, everyday application of our faith.  James was the leader of the early church in Jerusalem, keep in mind that James was the half-brother of Jesus (Matt. 13:55) and that he did not initially believe in Jesus as the Messiah (John 7:5).  Eventually James came not only to believe in Jesus, but to give his whole life in service to Him and to His church.

James’ primary concern in his letter is to help Christians understand how to live out the gospel in real life circumstances. You might say that James was interested in making faith real or authentic.  Anybody can say that they believe in God, but how do you know if your faith is genuine? 

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.  But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”  Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.  You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.   - James 2:17-19

Each chapter in the book of James provides us with a kind of litmus test for the authenticity of our faith.  Take a few moments to reflect on each of the following faith tests, and ask God to help you discern which is the area(s) where your faith most needs to grow.

James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Trials and temptations reveal the true character of our faith...

James 1:22-23  Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.  Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror.
What we do with God’s Word reveals the true character of our faith...

James 2:1-4  My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in.  If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
How treat the poor and the oppressed reveals the true character of our faith...

James 3:9-10  With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.  Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
What we talk about and the way we talk about it reveals the true character of our faith...

James 4:1-3  What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?  You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
The way we treat other Christians reveals the true character of our faith...

James 5:16  Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Our prayer life reveals the true character of our faith...

Oh God, help us by your Holy Spirit to live authentic lives of faith.  Teach us how to proclaim with our lives the gospel that we proclaim with our lips - Amen.

Jeff Frazier