James. A 21-day reading plan by Doxa Deo.Sample

 James 1:1  (ESV)  James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.

This letter was written in around 48 A.D. The author is James, who introduces himself as a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. James was the brother of Jesus (see Mark 6:3).

James was not initially a follower of Jesus, but became a believer after the resurrection of Jesus. He was one of those gathered in the upper room during Pentecost (Acts 1:14) and became the leader of the Jerusalem church after Peter left for Palestine.

James wrote this letter to the Christian Jews that were scattered abroad among the non-Jews, encouraging them to live in alignment with what they had learned in Christ. He emphasises a faith that works.  Although he doesn’t negate the necessity of faith, he does insist that genuine faith should produce fruit of good works and that mature faith means living what believers say they believe.

Reflection:

How mature is your faith? Do you live according to what you believe? 

Can you – like James – call yourself a bond-servant of Jesus Christ?