DEC 16

James 2:17
Memorise James 2:17
“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone”

WHAT IS THE MAIN THEME OF JAMES?

The book of James is a general letter or epistle, a classification given to any New Testament book written by someone other than Paul. The message of James is timeless and therefore speaks to the believers throughout all generations. The main theme of the book is practical Christian living. Throughout the epistle James showed that once we accept the gospel and believe, it is expected that we will demonstrate the reality of that faith in our day to day living. We are not only to know and hear the Word of God but to be doers too. How we live the life of genuine faith is seen in the way we face temptations and conquer them with God’s help. Chapter two shows clearly how faith must result in good works while chapter three is the classic exposition of how our tongue, being so powerful, should be tamed. We are responsible for our words and must choose them wisely. Chapter four shows how a believer deals with pride and cultivates humility and chapter five exhorts the believer to continue in prayer with patience. All these are different aspects of the godly life of a believer. In chapter two James argued that a living faith would produce works of faith. He gave the example of a man who claimed to have faith but who had no works to show for it. Simply saying kind words to a poor brethren who has no food or suffering from cold without offering to help is of not much use or profit. What is needed is concrete and practical help to that needy brother or sister. Thus James says that a mere profession of faith without works is useless. Again, in verses 20 and 26, he emphasized this fact. A faith without works is dead because there is no transformation of life. It is valueless. Human life is marked by the presence of breathing; genuine spiritual life is marked by the activity of good works, for the glory of God.

Dear teen, have you been transformed by the Spirit of God to serve Christ? In doing so, do you notice yourself thinking of how you can help others? There are myriads of ways you can do it. You can pray for your friends who are experiencing some difficulties in their lives. You can befriend the shy, the lonely and the weak. You can offer to buy lunch perhaps for those in financial trouble. You can cheer up the sad and downcast. You can encourage those who are down and disappointed. You should always be mindful of the needs of others including those in your family. In other words, put others before yourself!

Thought: Do good to all men but especially to those in the household of faith.
Prayer: Father in heaven, make me more sensitive to the needs of those around me and help me to do a good deed every day for Thee.