HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 1491
James
“ W E W I S H W E C O U L D B E better Christians.” With this earnest
desire, the couple attended Bible conferences to learn more about
the Scriptures, read books about prayer, and engaged in discussions
about doctrines. But something was missing. Then they read the book
of James and realized what it was. Becoming better Christians involves
not only learning all we can about the Bible but also applying what we
learn. We cannot merely be hearers of the Word, of Christian truth, of
doctrine and knowledge about prayer, but we must be doers, too.
This letter was written by James, Jesus’ half
What you will be
reading about
brother and a leader in the Jerusalem church
(Matthew 13:55). He was probably one of the
1:1
brothers mentioned in John 7:2-9, who scoffed at
Greetings from James
Jesus and didn’t believe in him. But obviously a
1:2-18
great transformation came over James. We know
When trials come your way
he was with the disciples in the upper room
1:19- 27
after Jesus ascended to heaven (Acts 1:14), and
Hearing God’s Word and
obeying
he gave a stirring speech at the great Jerusalem
council (Acts 15:13-21). This letter was written
2:1- 26
Faith results in generous
around AD 49, probably from Jerusalem.
living
After Stephen was martyred, persecution of
3:1– 4:3
Christians increased, and many were forced to
Using speech wisely
flee Jerusalem (Acts 8:1-3). Believers scattered
4:4 -10
throughout the Roman Empire. This actually
Drawing near to God
helped speed up the spread of Christianity. But
because these early believers did not have the
4:11-17
Warning against judging
support of established Christian churches, James
others
wrote to them as a concerned leader to encour5:1- 6
age them to remain strong in their faith during
A warning to the rich
difficult times.
5:7- 20
James wrote that real faith transforms. While
Patience in suffering;
good works do not save us, when we are saved,
faithful prayer
the fruits of our new lives in Christ will be seen
through our good works. Our faith in Christ must
be a living faith, not merely a creed, a system of religion, or a doctrine. We must
not only hear the truth but also speak it and live it. Christian living is indeed
just that, Christian living, not merely hearing, knowing, or even becoming.
Do you ever say, “I wish I could be a better Christian?” Live what you have
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