Life Lessons From 25 New Testament CharactersSample

Facing Earth, Living for Heaven

James was one of Jesus Christ’s closest disciples. He went from being a fisherman to sitting under Jesus Christ’s leadership. James grew in understanding that following Christ would require his loyalty and devotion. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, James more fully realized the call of following Jesus and the true gift of living in light of the eternal life Jesus promised him. James became a key leader in the early church. He was the first disciple to be killed for his faith. Early on, James thought Jesus was there to overthrow the Romans and free Israel. In his limited view, he asked for a high political position next to Jesus. What James came to see was that God’s Kingdom was eternal, and to serve Christ was to set one’s sights on God's grander plan, even when it led to his martyrdom.

THINK and PRAY:

Following Jesus Christ will mean growth. When you understand the Gospel - the offer of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus - you only begin your walk of “knowing God’ and His plans. James is an example of a fisherman turned disciple, turned leader of the Early Church and honorable martyr for the faith. He grew in his faith and loyalty, not to the world’s systems (political, societal, religious) but to Christ. This is what guided his everyday life on earth - even until his martyrdom. James exemplified growth in Christ and being conformed to God's view and purposes, which are much larger than our own. God will grow each one of us if we keep our eyes on Christ and our hands willing to live out our faith in love — no matter the cost. If you know Christ, have you been stretched in your knowledge and experience of the sacrifice He has called you to make in your own life? Can you track your growth of becoming more like Christ as you have come to understand the cost of following God?