Hope Alliance Bethlehem

To be adopted into the family of God through Jesus means we are adopted out of the family of Adam.  We are set free from the shame, rebellion and violence that characterize so much of humanity.  So, the only right response is to leave behind the ways of Adam and embrace the true life found in living God's way.

To be a Christian means to be adopted by God as a son or daughter.  This reality of adoption shows us God's heart of love and gives our lives a whole new trajectory.   God's love and grace flow lavishly on us and we respond by reflecting his glory in how we live.

God has always seen his people as a family.  But sin and rebellion have invited all sorts of blame and violence into our world.  The incarnation and ultimately the resurrection of Jesus is all about new creation.  It welcomes again the possibility of God's intention for humanity and our world.  And thus the resurrection launches a new family.

James finishes his letter with a warning about wandering from the truth - Jesus, the gospel and its implications.  Knowing that wandering can lead to death, James urges the whole church community to be alert and involved in the perseverance of the saints.

No matter the circumstances of life, our right response is prayer in dependence on God.  In particular for the weary and those who are sick, James urges them to call for the elders to pray for them that they might find healing.  Prayer offers healing by catalyzing God and by conforming us to his will and image.

A big part of the Christian life is patience, derived from an expectation of the imminent return of Jesus and the very character of God.  On the basis of this, James reminds us to be people who wait expectantly and persevere.  In order to do so, James reminds us to strengthen our hearts and be careful to groan properly.   In so doing we walk the way of Jesus.

James calls out the wealthy who are hoarding, withholding, living in self-indulgence and even stealing life from those of lesser means.  Wealth is not evil, but when we find our security and significance in it,  we can do unthinkable things.  The gospel shows us an altogether different way to live.

When we make plans, we should never do so presumptively.  Rather, we should submit them to God's will, being careful to evaluate our plans so that they enable us to trust and glorify God as well as love our neighbor.   In so doing, we are embracing God's ultimate plan of restoration and redemption.

Slander damages the identity and value of another person while trying to defend or regain identity and value for ourself.  And when we act in this way, we are positioning ourselves not only as a judge of that person, but also over the law of God and God himself.   As we are transformed by the gospel our tendency toward slander becomes a tendency toward love.

As James turns to address the hearts of his readers, he does so with a piercing accusation of spiritual adultery.  They, like us, have hearts that share their affection with other gods.  The result is we look just like the world around us and actually work against God.  God's response to our idolatry is more grace.  And the way we embrace that grace is through humble repentance.