As Jesus followers and children of God, Paul calls us to "put off" the old self and to "put on" the new one...like exchanging shabby clothes for a whole new wardrobe.  He means to say that our adoption is final, but we now have a role to play in imitating the ways of our heavenly Father as His dearly loved children.

Being adopted into the family of God is wonderful grace.  But part of being adopted into a new family is leaving behind the negative baggage and sinful tendencies of our old family.  We have to go back to go forward.

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.

In Christ, we are adopted into God's new family, given a new name, chosen heirs, redeemed in love, and sealed by the Spirit to the glory of God.  We are sons and daughters of God that take on His name and His inheritance!

The resurrection of Jesus is a new beginning...a new creation in which we can become a new family centered in and around Jesus.

James concludes his letter reminding his readers and us of the dangers of walking away from the Gospel.  But knowing that we all have a tendency to wander, he calls all of us to be part of restoring others back to the Gospel.

After so many warnings about arrogance, James now turns to what a humble life consists of: regular conversation with God through prayer and praise.  James is calling his readers and us to be a community that prays individually and for one another because conversation with God though humble prayer brings life and restoration!

As James nears the end of his address, he encourages his readers and us to humbly endure.  But he does so by reminding us to endure because Jesus is going to return and make all things right and new.

James offers a stinging rebuke of arrogant wealthy people whose lack of generosity and gospel depth has led them to be unaware of the justice of God and care for the basic needs of people around them.  This rebuke is also a warning to us to live in generosity because of the Gospel!

James offers yet another warning about arrogance, this time in how we go about planning and living out our lives.   When we live in Gospel humility we get to live life in partnership with God.