Article and commentary by Virginia Stem Owens

Today in 1 Peter 1, pay attention today to the call to be holy — that’ll be a theme we’ll touch on in tomorrow’s Sunday Reflection. And two, today’s focus question is, “What kind of reverence is proper?”

What good would it be if God was like a robot? This might seem like a weird focus question for the day, but it not only relates to something we’ll read today as we finish up James, it also might be an interesting concept for you to use when you talk to someone else.

What is the fruit of maturity (at least according to James 4)? Following yesterday's description of envy being the root of discord and evil practice, James describes what happens in community.

Yesterday we heard James call out his audience for favoring the nicely-dressed person walking into church over the poorly dressed person, but the broader principle is that favoritism or partiality of any kind is a sin because it fails to honor all people who are God’s image bearers. Favoritism can go any direction.

Today is related…and our focus question is, “What is the consequence of envy?"

At the beginning of today’s passage in James 2, you’re going to hear James address his audience about a particular sin…the sin of partiality. And that’s our focus question today…What is the sin of partiality.

But those who have ears, let them hear. When we think about A) the whole Bible, and B) how this is applied and misapplied today, what is something that is often missed? How does this apply to all people?

James was the half brother of Jesus who didn’t “believe” until after the resurrection. But then he goes on to become one of the major leaders in the early Christian church. So buckle up because, among other things, he’ll answer today’s focus question, “How should you face difficulties?”

If this is a test for truth, what do we do about our own selves?

How does Frederich Nietzsche still affect you? Something he’s famous for is A) in direct opposition to the gospel and B) very much still an influence in the world and, sadly sometimes, the church.

What's the worst thing people fall for? We not only hear about that today in 2 Corinthians 11, but a version of it in Jeremiah as well.