More literature has been written about Jesus of Nazareth than any other person in world history...and it’s not even a close 2nd. Fundamental to ALL of Christianity is the belief that Jesus of Nazareth is THE GOD of the First Testament in human flesh. Because ALL of Christianity depends upon the truth and truthfulness of Jesus Christ, (1) if Jesus is a real, historical person who caused word of Himself to spread fast, shouldn’t we find evidence for His life in 1st-century, extra-biblical sources too? (2) If we can establish that Jesus of Nazareth historically walked this earth for 30 years, is there also compelling evidence in that time that He IS THE GOD of the First Testament too?

Have you ever wondered to yourself or had someone else ask you, “Is God real?” It’s a great question with great ramifications. I mean, if God is real, how can I know Him and His presence in my own life? And if He is real, what kind of God is He? Is His attitude toward me love and goodwill, or one of disappointment and harm? As we engage this belief, we’ll look more into nature’s complex design, moral conscience, and God’s presentness in human suffering.

ow do we know what is true when there are so many competing voices telling us what to believe and do? The truth is: If we want to orient our lives, families, friends and neighbors around truth rather than deceit and falsehood, then we need to go to the source and blessing of ALL truth! Jesus and His words are that unchanging truth (Jn 14:6), and His truth imparts complete freedom from guilt and the enslaving power of sin (John 8:3:31-32).

God has uniquely created every woman and man, every girl and boy, to have a special place in His Kingdom - one that no one else can fill! We are at our best when we help every individual discover their unique gifts and calling, giving them permission and platform to put them to use and empowering them to take part in God’s redemptive work in the world.

Because we know that everything that we have comes from God and has been given to us for our good, we can find ways to celebrate all the time. In fact, as God’s people, we should always be celebrating something! And we do… Big things, small things; ordinary things, and special things. By intentionally celebrating, we remind ourselves of the goodness of God and spread joy to others.

We take courageous steps and explore new places for the Kingdom, because we know we are never alone and that the power of God is at work within and through us. So long as we remain established in God’s word and alert to where Jesus is leading us, we need not fear anything!

More than anything else, St. Peter is family: women and men, girls and boys, sharing life together as we follow Jesus…which is exactly what we see Jesus doing in the Gospels and what we see the Early Church doing, too. While there are all sorts of distractions to true community and while there may be divisions caused by sin, we should never give up pursuing true, authentic, deep relationships with fellow believers and those who are far from Jesus.

James closes with a call to action to help those who have fallen into sins trap. We must be vigilant in spotting anyone who wanders from the Word of truth (1:18) as spiritual death is at stake. Timely intervention (gospel summons) is critical. Christians who retrieve a fallen brother or sister cover the many sins (by the gospel’s power) and save the straying soul from eternal death.

Christian faith prays expectantly. Not only does Christian prayer have power in physical and spiritual sickness, but all of God’s children - through faith in Jesus and not simply elders - have great power in prayer. James even turns our prayer life outward to the welfare of one another, including the forgiveness of sins.

In an “instant culture” where waiting is seen as painful, God calls Christians to patiently endure hardship and to trust in His full and final vindication. Thus, knowing that God holds the plan and that He is compassionate and merciful toward us, we can patiently wait until the coming of the Lord when He permanently rights all wrongs.