InPerspective

James 1:19-27
You may have heard believers say things like, "I'm not religious, I'm a Christian," or "Christianity is not a religion, it's a relationship." While there may be some truth to these sentiments, the epistle of James clearly stresses that Christianity IS a religion, and that believers ARE to be religious. What are the characteristics of pure and undefiled religion that James exhorts us to pursue?

James 1:22-25
In terms of what truly matters, there are really only two kinds of people in the world. There are those who ultimately dismiss, ignore, or reject the Word of God – and in so doing, reject the God of the Word. In stark contrast, there are those who respond to the Word of God in faith and belief, cling to the sovereign Lord who gave it to us, and build their lives upon its teachings.

James 1:22-25
We all know the familiar saying, "Monkey see, monkey do" – but in light of today's Scripture text from James, we might rephrase this as, "Christian HEAR, Christian do." James warns us against the ultimate folly and fruitlessness of only hearing the Word of God, without the commitment to actively DOING the Word of God by applying its divine wisdom and instruction to our daily lives.

James 1:19-21
There is much more to gardening than just planting the seeds – you must regularly weed the garden so the plants will grow to maturity. James reminds us that, like a gardener diligently pulling weeds to cultivate a fruitful garden, we must put away all filthiness, wickedness, and ungodliness, so the implanted Word of God can grow to maturity and bear lasting fruit in our lives.

James 1:19-21
The book of James is the New Testament counterpart of Old Testament wisdom literature books like Proverbs, Psalms, and Ecclesiastes. James teaches us about Gospel Living Through Gospel Wisdom, and today we examine the application of wisdom in his admonition: "Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God."

Nahum 2
In days past, a town crier or watchman would shout out a warning at the sight of danger. Join Dr. Harry Reeder on InPerspective as he shows us how Nahum did the same thing with Ninevah and the Assyrian empire.

James 1:16-18
Much of the evangelical church believes that sinners become Christians by exercising their free will and choosing to be born again through faith in Jesus Christ. But James writes, “Of HIS OWN WILL He brought us forth by the word of truth.” We do not CHOOSE to be born again by our own decision, but God CAUSES us to be born again by His sovereign work of grace in regeneration.

James 1:16-18
At Christmastime, searching far and wide for the perfect gift may make you wonder if such a thing even exists – but according to James, good and perfect gifts are a reality for God's people. James writes: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."

James 1:12-15
A fisherman uses a variety of baits and lures to catch fish – and temptation comes in various forms to lure and entice us, hook us, and pull us away from God into sin. We must take warning of James to heart: “Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”

James 1:12-15
When we are tested by the challenges and difficulties of life, we must remember that every TRIAL we face is actually a TRAIL leading to one of two places. It can either be a trail to temptation, sin, eventual downfall, possibly even death, or it can be a trail to life as we allow our faith and character to be tested, remain steadfast and faithful in the Lord, and experience triumph in Jesus Christ.