The gospel compels us to not participate in marginalizing the poor and powerless around us. We too were poor and marginalized, trapped in our sin until Jesus rescued us. When we marginalize those around us, we forget what the gospel did for us.

We are to receive the instruction of the scripture with a teachable spirit. This requires us to put away habits and vices identified with our former life. As we encounter God's word we must receive the word properly; respond to the calls in the word for change; and commit to practicing obedience that reminds us that we are practicing true religion. All this is to be done in the humility that Christ demonstrated for us.

Many times we do not see clearly in temptations. We look for someone else to blame for our bad decisions, in many cases even God. Instead of pointing the finger of someone, James reminds us of the resources provided for Christ-followers to overcome temptations.

James calls us the consider it Joy when trials come upon us. Trials provide an opportunity to further our maturity by practicing virtues. We endure trials faithfully through God's wisdom that provides the virtues needed to be faithful followers of Christ.

The beginning of this book provides a context for the message of the entire book. James stands in the tradition of the prophets in calling Christians scattered throughout the world to rest in the wisdom of God, not human wisdom. James will address five areas where we typically rely on our own wisdom instead of God's wisdom. Therefore James is calling us to live wisely through life's temptations.

This is a weekly podcast that takes biblical teaching beyond the stained glass of the church to our everyday life. In these weekly episodes, we will explore biblical teaching and apply them so that we can courageously embrace the call of scripture to bring glory to our Lord in all that we do.