Faith Changes Everything

James Devotional #1

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

James 1:1-8 (NLT) 

1 This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

According to tradition, James was the half-brother of Jesus. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, James doubted that Jesus was the Messiah. In fact, we read that Jesus’ mother and brothers actually wanted to forcibly remove him from ministry, fearing that he was mentally unstable (Mark 3:20-21, 31-35).

Think about that. Someone with such close proximity to Jesus didn’t have eyes to see who he really was. That’s shocking, isn’t it?

It’s often observed that most preachers really just have one or two sermons that they give again and again. That message was formed in their hearts when the Lord gave them a personal revelation. They saw a truth that they previously had “missed.” And that discovery changed them so deeply that they hope everyone else will be able to experience the power of enlightenment.

I believe something like that is happening with this letter for James. By all accounts, James was a religious person. He was spiritually serious. He knew his Bible better than most. And he was fully devoted to seeking righteousness.

The problem was, his faith wasn’t living. If it had been, he would have seen Jesus for who He was. He would have recognized Jesus as the Anointed One of the Father. He certainly wouldn’t have tried to forcibly restrain Him, removing him from ministry!

The point of change came through revelation. James encountered the risen Christ and nothing could ever be the same. In fact, James’ perception was so radically altered that he begins this letter by referring to himself as a “slave/servant” of Jesus! Think about that! Rather than strutting out, “I’m actually RELATED to the Son of God,” James lives from a place of humility. His perspective has radically shifted.

James writes this incredible letter for one purpose: To help Christians identify the stark difference between living and dead faith. His interest isn’t so much on the doctrinal level. He’s not, like Paul, asking questions like: How can a just God declare sinners innocent? Instead, James is focused on the practical. He wants to know: How can believers know when their operating in REAL faith and not a counterfeit.

As we will see in the weeks to come, James is laser focused on the pitfalls of counterfeit faith, dead faith. Like a good coach, he can be tough. He brooks no nonsense. He might even kick our butts a little. But it’s only because he doesn’t want us to live for years in an illusion—mistaking dead faith for living faith.

And the reason he cares about this so much, I believe, is because he’s speaking from experience. James wants us to see Jesus through the eyes of faith. He doesn’t want us to delay truly experiencing the fullness of life that only living faith can bring.

Point to Ponder: Faith comes alive when we receive revelation. What is a life-changing truth the Holy Spirit has revealed to you?