The Book of James

brother of Our Lord

T

he fires in California, Wall Street's gold rush and ruin of riches, endless wars, the search for rare earth minerals, and the new Department of Government Efficiency are all in the News today. None of this was new to James (who some claim wrote the first epistle to the church). Nothing is new under the sun.  James understood that the first word in doctrine is “do.” He knew that life is what we “do,” and the first axiom of his spiritual survival guide to the first century believers was “be a doer of the Word and not a hearer only” (found in Chapter One). In Chapter Two he would that all men knew the difference between the “gold ring” and the golden rule (vs.2:8) treating your neighbor as you would like to be treated. The Third Chapter warns of damage and danger found in the church’s littlest member, “the tongue”. It has burned many an assembly to the ground. Chapter Four speaks of war, but also points us to the cure. Every war is simply another battle in man’s war against God, and that is war you cannot win. It is sin. This chapter also speaks of a rare earth mineral called humility. “Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”  Lastly, never mind Musk going over Uncle Sam's books. God will go over ours, line by line. Waste, Fraud, and Abuse pretty much sums up the life without God, and everyone will one day give an account (5:4). You can count on it. Worried about fires, deceitfulness of riches, endless wars, corrupt governments and audits? Jesus is the cure, and he is knocking at the door. He died on the cross to save all who put their faith and trust in Him. Open your heart and let him in.   -id