As James begins his open letter to Christians in the first century, he encourages them to see resistance and trials as a joy-filled opportunity to put their faith into motion.

May 14, 2017

The book of James: A very wise book. The book of James is a Jewish book, with lots of similarities to the OT book of Proverbs and the NT Sermon on the Mount. The book reflects the simple wisdom, morality, and ethics of a Christ-follower. The book is not as concerned with sophisticated theological arguments as it is with how you live out your faith. This first lesson covers James:1:1-18.
This lesson discusses who James was, the point and emphasis of the Book of James, finding joy when facing trials, seeking wisdom, and learning to trust in God, the Father of the heavenly lights.

James 1:13-18
"When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created."
(NIV)