Tests And Triumphs Of Faith: JamesSample

Day Two- The Characteristic of Faith (Part One) - Read James 1:19-2:26

A righteous response to testing requires that one be “swift to hear; slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19), and this broadly summarizes the remainder of the epistle. Quickness of hearing involves an obedient response to God’s Word (James 1:19-27). True hearing means more than mere listening; the Word must be received and applied. After stating this principle (James 1:21, 22), James develops it with an illustration (James 1:23-25) and an application (James 1:26, 27). A genuine faith should produce a change in attitude from partiality to the rich to a love for the poor as well as the rich (James 2:1-13). True faith should also result in actions (James 2:14-26). 

In Romans 4, Paul used the example of Abraham to show that justification is by faith, not by works. But James says that Abraham was justified by works (James 2:21). In spite of the apparent contradiction, Romans 4 and James 2 are really two sides of the same coin. In context, Paul is writing about justification before God while James writes of evidence of justification before men. A faith that produces no change is not saving faith. 

Journal Prompt: How will you incorporate the lessons taught in James into your daily life?