Introduction
Starting in verse 14 James will now shift his focus to the subject of faith, more specifically, the faith necessary to be counted as a Christian.
There are those in the Christian community that feel the need to take God’s mysteries and transfer them into intellectual thoughts. There is a place for this type of approach. Paul, when addressing the Corinthian Church said this… 1Co 9:19-23 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
Paul acknowledged that we are all different so varied approaches can prove beneficial when proclaiming the gospel. With this in mind taking an intellectual approach to scripture is right and helpful when giving the gospel message to those who prefer to conceptualize and debate Christianity at a philosophical level. Unfortunately some want to force fit basic concepts into intellectual discourse. What we are about to cover is the very essence of Christianity yet it can be discussed in very simple terms. James is going to tell us what role faith plays in the Christian life. Read the rest of this entry »
Servants' Journal 