THE WISDOM OF JAMES: For Life In God's WorldShembull

A brief word about hateful anger in the preceding verses leads to a central theme of James—the link between knowing God’s word and doing it. The analogy is supposed to be funny—the person who hears the word but doesn’t live it out being like someone who looks in the mirror and as they walk away immediately forgets what they look like. To hear the word of life that gives new birth and not put it into practice is just as silly. The “perfect law that gives freedom”, or the gospel message, is a precious gift to be heard and then applied to our lives. This is not a burden but, in fact, the path of blessing, says James. Our growth in knowledge of God’s word is not an end in itself, but the primary means of God strengthening us for the life of faith. The call here is to hear it and then put it into practice. Q. What do you find most challenging in terms of living out God’s word in your life? Prayer Dear Lord, thank you for your word and the gift of life that it points us to. Help me to obey it and live in harmony with you each day. Amen