Is it possible to know God’s Word and not be a good Christian?

What is the difference between a ‘head knowledge’ and really letting the Bible transform you?

Read James 1:17-27

Pray

1. God is Good - verse 17

   James is here building off what he had just said about the fact that though God allows trials, troubles, and even temptations in our lives, He does not directly tempt us Himself.
   
   

   1. He is Immutable - verse 17

      Instead, good things come from God. These include ‘every good giving, and every perfect gift’ (Jas. 1:17 YLT). He is completely immutable (which means he is perpetual, undeviating, unshakeable, and irremovable, among other things).
      
      

   2. He has Birthed Us by the Word - verse 18

      This leads James into explaining that Christians are like a ‘firstfruit’ among all of creation that God has intentionally birthed by the Word. By this, Paul is moving from speaking of blessing when we endure trials to blessing when we live by the Word of God.
      
      

2. We are Blessed by the Word - if we

   
   

   1. Listen Quickly - verse 19-20

      This is not simply general advice about being a good listener and not having a temper. This epistle is written primarily to a Jewish audience, and in the Greek language. Both Jewish law teachers and Greek philosophers sometimes had a tendency to do the opposite of what we find in these verses. Rabbis and orators alike were aggressive in their disputes with their fellows and could exhibit a wrath very akin to the ‘online bashing’ so prevalent in our day. Godly wrath can be righteous, but that is not what James has in view here.
      
      

   2. Receive Humbly - verse 21

      Another way to translate the beginning of this verse is ‘lay aside all vulgarity and superfluous hatefulness’ (ἀποθέμενοι πᾶσαν ῥυπαρίαν καὶ περισσείαν κακίας). The picture is painted. Instead, Christians should exhibit gentleness, humility, and courtesy as we receive the Word which is ‘implanted’ in us (and saves us). The point is to contrast a bunch of worldly wise teachers debating over their commentary on ancient writings, and Christian people who the Holy Spirit has imbued with the truth of the Word of God. The word is not simply a body of knowledge to know and comment on. It is internalized and changes our lives.
      
      

   3. Act

      
      

      1. Intentionally - verse 22-24

         James, ever fond of clarification, reminds us that this means we must actually act on what God’s Word says. Simply familiarity with Scripture is not enough.
         The illustration in verses 23-24 is clear enough. Even your own face can be forgotten.
         
         

      2. Faithfully - verse 25

         Here is the blessing, which is Jame’s overarching theme in this chapter. Here, we are blessed if we continue in the Word. It impacts our lives.
         
         

3. Clean Worship - verses 26-27

   These final verses are another clarification of the same thought. James is not seeking to put forth a complete picture of all that we must ever do to be ‘religious’ (worshipful to God), but to highlight the vital areas. He mentions what we say, what we do, and what we are (personal holiness).
   
   

   1. What We Say - verse 26

      
      

   2. What We Do - verse 27

      
      

   3. What We Are - verse 27

      
      

Christian Elitism?

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Faithful Application