To be a friend of the world is to be at enmity with God, for He doesn't just save part of us or want part of us, He wants all of us. Walking in repentance and trust makes us friends with our loving Lord.

The wisdom of the world leads to destruction, but the wisdom of God guides the church to be a community committed to loving the King and His kingdom.

As hard as we try, no one can tame the tongue unless they trust in the only One who is perfect, who bridled His tongue always in love, and now leads and guides His people to speak what is true and good.

Walking with James on this pilgrim journey, we're reminded that Authentic Faith Always Produces Active Obedience.

As believers in the gospel there should be visible fruit in our lives that suggest to the world that we know and love Jesus, living in light of what we believe through faithful actions.

Posture over partiality is how Christians walk with the Lord while on the earth, recognizing that our sin must be put on Christ and His righteousness must be imputed to us in order to love those around us, including the marginalized and those unable to give something in return.

Christians are called to be doers of the word and not hearers only, but in order to do so we need to receive it, remember it, and then respond to it.

While we know sin is the root problem with us and the world, it also has rippling effects that impact everything. James is encouraging believers to not be deceived, to not let our brothers and sisters be deceived, and to lean on the Lord who is always good.

The letter of James is an encouragement to us as Christians who often live ordinary lives, yet are challenged to remain faithful and wise in all circumstances.

Because God is the Maker of all things we can worship Him and have the confidence that if He will sustain His creation then He will also sustain His people.