Day 321

Ezekiel 35:1–36:38; James 1:1-18; Psalm 116:1-19; Proverbs 27:23-27

TODAY WE STEPPED over a new threshold and began the epistle of James —a new voice that we’ve not heard before. Throughout church history, this letter has been scrutinized in a number of ways, including debates about which “James” authored it. Because of this, dating James has been difficult —but a solidly supported scenario exists.

The letter was probably written by James, the half-brother of Jesus who, interestingly, was not a follower of Jesus when He was alive. After the Resurrection, James became a pillar of the early church, presiding over fundamental decisions like the one held at the Jerusalem council, opening the way for Gentiles to be accepted into the faith. The reason many scholars find this the most appealing scenario is because —as with Hebrews —whoever wrote the letter had enough influence and authority among early believers for the letter to be recognized and preserved. James certainly fits this criteria in a much more significant way than any other candidate.

James’s letter was clearly written from a Hebrew perspective. It was addressed to “the ‘twelve tribes’ —Jewish believers scattered abroad” (James 1:1). This, at least, gives clues to identifying the original intended recipients. The letter may have been addressed this way due to the spreading out of the gospel that came as a reaction to persecution. Stephen’s stoning could have been a catalyst. If this is the case, then James was possibly writing to early believers who had once been under his pastoral care in Jerusalem. These would have been believers who had fled in all directions to find a peaceful place to live but who still felt connected to the Jerusalem church. After all, it was their mother church. A letter from Jerusalem would have been treasured, especially if James had written it. This theory would make James one of the earliest Christian writings. If this is true, this letter preserves some of the earliest postures of the Christian faith.

More clearly than anywhere else in the New Testament, James teaches that the choices that we make matter. It essentially tells us that we can say many things about what we believe but that in the end, how we actually live makes the most declarative statement about our faith. In fact, the letter states that faith without good deeds is dead (James 2:17).

That explicit connection between faith and good deeds hasn’t always been popular. James even garnered the ire of reformer Martin Luther over it. James’s response to this would probably be indifference. This little letter encapsulates some of the boldest and most direct and confrontational truths in the New Testament. If there is a butt-kicker in the lot, it’s James.

Underneath it all, though, there is a plea —a message begging to be heard: Live your life by faith, and live your faith through what you do. It’s such a poignant message for today that in some ways, the letter could have been written last week.

Embrace the challenge that James brings. It is not enough to know what the Word of God says; it must change us. And that change must be apparent —we must live it. And in living it, we must answer its call to action.

MEDITATION:

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.