James wrote this book to encourage, love, and direct the people of God. His motivation is love. The Jewish people’s religious identity was tied to their national identity. Their religious expression was based on good works or keeping the Law. Jesus came and fulfilled the Law. He came to do what God knew humans could not do, which was to keep the Law of God perfectly. Jesus saved us by grace, apart from works. We no longer have to keep the Law to be made right with God; it is by God’s grace. However, when we think that ‘good works’ aren’t important, we miss the heart of the Law—LOVE!

We attach value to differences we see in others who are not like us, which leads to factions and divisions, and destroys unity. We divide ourselves up and then fight against each other. We judge others’ value based on our own fleeting emotions (i.e. sports, politics, music, race, gender, socio-economic status, etc.) We no longer see the God-given value in others. Every person possesses the same God-given value and should be treated accordingly, including having equal access to the Father. We lock ourselves into categories, but Jesus wants to bring unity. (Ephesians 2:14-22) - James 2:1-13

We live in a culture that makes it easy to follow and unfollow. Is it giving us more power or is it robbing us of power? - James 1