Do you ever struggle? Are you sometimes tempted to throw in the towel? Do you long for Christ to return? You are not alone, and thankfully you have been left with help and certain hope as you press on in your Christian walk. The book of James is immensely controversial to some (ask Martin Luther), yet Anthony Selvaggio expertly opens up and shows us that this part of God's inspired Word is as relevant to each of us right now as it was to the struggling Christians late in the first century.
You will find that James' letter is one of pastoral concern to the scattered Christians who suffered a great deal of persecution, and who faced many challenges every day just as we do. His intention is to be practical and encouraging, yet there is also stern warning and a plea for them to get their focus right and to live like Christians, putting their faith to work as they wait patiently for Christ's second coming. Pick up and absorb this book and you will see James rightly presented as a caring and faithful pastor, concerned about the spiritual welfare of his flock. You will find that we are a part of that same scattered flock and so we need to listen carefully to what he, and therefore God, is telling us. Be careful not to just listen though; be sure to act, change and persevere patiently to the glory of God. Professing Jesus is simply not enough; we must live like Jesus as well. And not just on Sundays, but 24/7.
