James was very much like his other siblings; none of them really believed in their half-brother, Jesus. In His omniscience, however, Jesus knew God’s plan for James’ life. One of the individuals Jesus specifically appeared to after His resurrection was His brother James. James then believed. Later, he became the leader of the Jerusalem Church.
The book James wrote was the first of the New Testament writings of inspired Scripture, and one of the last to be entered into the canon. Many students of God’s Word have used various terms and phrases to describe the theme of the book. They all seem to come down to living out your faith. While James touches on many different aspects of the Christian life, they all relate to faith and works; not works that somehow earn salvation, but works that demonstrate the reality of salvation. Jesus taught folks would know us by our fruit.
Our expository study in this short New Testament book will guide us into many deep and meaningful insights in how to put our faith into practice, how to “live it!” How to take the truth of God’s Word and apply it to everyday life.