Plumbing the Depths of James
The book of James is one of those books which hits you right between the eyes and shocks you and I into reality. If ever we thought that we were “good enough”, this little book brings up one situation after another to show us the truth about ourselves. I myself was once deluded about the reality of my faith until God, in His grace and mercy, brought me through many crises of life to show me the stark reality that I was still a sinner. Then He granted me grace to repent and made me His child. Since then I’ve discovered that the Bible warns those in the church to check their faith (2 Cor. 13:5), to make sure for ourselves “His calling and choosing” (2 Peter 1:10) and gives us several tests whereby we can know that we truly have been born again (1 John). If God makes this examination of our faith an issue, and repeats it several times, then it must mean that it is very easy to deceive oneself about one’s own salvation.
The words of our Lord Jesus in Matthew 7:21-23 confirms this thought when He warned us that “many”, who call Him “Lord, Lord” and who have power to perform miraculous deeds, will be told by Him to depart and He calls their deeds, “lawlessness” (NASB) or “iniquity” (RSV).
In this book of James, the Lord uses the ordinary things in life to help us see the reality of our faith. He brings up the common occurrences in life to show us what true faith is and what true faith is not. Through a study of this book, you will be enabled, with His gracious help, to live out the Christian life on a practical, daily basis.