James, Media, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

The letter of James is the oldest, most practical letter in the New Testament. James was an Apostle, pastor and half-brother of Jesus. His letter is filled with pastoral exhortations to “be doers of the word and not hearers only.” (1:22) But, his goal is not merely to put us in our place by telling us what to do. Rather, his aim is to help us be honest with ourselves, for our own good, by showing us that being fully human is not found in doing whatever we want, but in living out of a real, whole- hearted, vital relationship with God. Today, in a very practical and deeply relevant section (4:13-17), James helps us work out how we understand the world and ourselves within it.

James, Media, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Today, in James 4:1-12, we reach the thematic center of the letter. As we’ve seen, James’ major concern for us is that we are growing in a whole-hearted relationship with Jesus. It is easy to think that God is merely after our morality, attendance, niceness or ritual. But, He’s not. He wants us. He wants our hearts. In this section, James offers a spiritual diagnostic of our souls, examines our sinful condition, diagnoses the source, and offers God’s gracious cure.