James: Time to Grow Up

The book of James is not a doctrinal book; it's a very practical book about Christian maturity. Its author, James, likely the half-brother of Jesus, addressed this letter to believers who knew the doctrines of the faith already but needed to start growing up in the Lord.

He was essentially saying, "It's great that you know all these things, but now you have to live what you know. Being born again is exciting, but you can't stay a spiritual baby."

One of the letter's key verses is James 1:22: "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." You have to put on your Christianity and wear it, because "faith without works is dead" (James 2:26).

Now, James wasn't saying we're saved by works. Works are merely how you can tell your faith is genuine. Anyone can claim to have faith without really having it. But dynamic belief produces dynamic behavior; real faith will function.

Think It Through

What's the upside—and necessity—of going through trials, according to James 1:2-4?

How foolish is it to read the Word but not do what it says (see James 1:23-24)? What's the word picture James used to emphasize this?

Compare and contrast James 2:18-19 with Matthew 7:21-23 and Luke 6:46. How can you tell Jesus is truly the Lord of your life?

What does James 3:8 imply about who can tame the tongue?

 

A Word of Encouragement

James reveals that spiritual maturity is the natural-supernatural result of your life being connected to God. The best part is that nothing is keeping you from growing into a mature man or woman in the Lord. You can grow as much as you want. And how do you do that? By feeding on the truth and doing what it says.

Prayer

Father, I pray that I would always be in the process of adding to and growing in my faith, not stagnating. Please help me to not just believe what Your Word says, but do it.

Land and Explore

The book of James gives you practical guidance on how to mature in your walk with God. Download Pastor Skip's series on James  to learn more.