Imagine having lived your entire life around your brothers, one of Whom was the Son of God. His teaching was amazing. His followers numbered in the thousands. You too are blown away by His resurrection.

And now your own brother has conquered death. What a life changer. So who better than James to see the connection between what we believe (faith) and what we do (works)?

I love people who tell it like it is. Especially when it is not based upon their own thoughts, but Spirit-inspired conviction built upon truth. This is what James (the brother of Jesus) brought to the early church – and to us as well.

Our faith is a gift from God. He has created our good works in advance – so that once walked in they will bring glory to God alone (Ephesians 2:10/1 Corinthians 15:24). So our faith and our deeds work in concert with the will of God.

“What use is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.”    – James 2:14-17

This letter is gritty, practical, and no-nonsense when it comes to defining a genuine faith walk with Jesus. No sugar-coated words. No excessive explanations. No compromise. The wisdom of this world in no way compares with the wisdom which comes down from God. Enjoy!

A great faith song
James in the Story
Unpacking the letter from James.