Is your faith ‘dead or alive’?

The letter of James has suffered many attacks from critics over the years. They have highlighted what they claim is its lack of doctrine, its conflict with the teachings of Paul and its lack of coherence. Some have even gone so far as to question its divine inspiration and, therefore, suggested that it should not have a place in the Bible.

It is as well that the formation of the canon of Scripture was under the sovereign and trustworthy hand of God, rather than the ill-informed wisdom of men! It was almost certainly penned by the hand of James, the brother of the Lord and one of the leaders in the early church in Jerusalem, Acts chapter 15. It is as much a part of the inspired word of God, as any other New Testament book. Indeed, it was the first New Testament book to be written. Its recipients were probably Jewish Christians living outside of Palestine. However, its message is applicable to believers of all generations, including today.

As we meditate on this letter we will, no doubt, be challenged and made to feel uncomfortable. It is often easy to talk about our Christian faith, but James constantly invites us to make it clear that we are genuine by the things we do. He was anxious that his readers should be ‘doers of the word and not hearers only’. He would have had no argument with Paul about the importance of justification by faith as far as our salvation is concerned; however, he complemented this truth by emphasising that faith is ‘dead’, if it is not accompanied by deeds. Faith must be more than profession. James understood the great doctrinal truths of the Christian faith, but his practical teaching flowed out of them.

If you take the time to read this letter and meditate upon it, you must be prepared to be taken out of your comfort zone!