Faith Works: Why I Love the Book of James (Cruze)

James 1:19-27 says, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. For the wrath of the man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore, lay aside all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, and receive the meekness, the implanted word, which is able to save your souls."

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the world and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in the mirror. For he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of work; this one will be blessed in what he does."

"If anyone among you thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, his religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."

Reflections on the Bible

The Bible is the most important book written because it tells you how God wants you to live your everyday life and how he wants you to act around other people. It shows you how to tell others about God and the steps you should take throughout your whole life. Nothing about the Bible has ever been proven false or wrong. They've found chariots in the Red Sea and Noah's Ark.

When you read the Bible, it's not like any other book. It is full of truth. Sometimes you get what you need immediately, or God can show you another way through scripture. If you're going through a hard time, it shows you how to live. This is similar to Noah, who we talked about last year at Lads to Leaders; everyone told him it would never rain, but he remained faithful, and then it rained. The door was shut on everyone else because they did not put their faith into action.

Advice for Young People

• Listening to Your Elders: If someone older thinks you are doing something wrong, explain why, but if they are right, listen to them. They have already been through life and are trying to keep you on the right track. You parents have been there before too, so you should listen to their advice.

• Choosing Friends: Be careful with your circle. Don't pick friends who are always partying, stealing, or doing things they shouldn't at school. If they ask you to keep secrets about bad behavior, you should tell someone or refuse to join in. Choose people who love Jesus and read their Bible.

• Doing the Will of God: Be a doer of the word, not just a hearer. When you see people in public who are on the wrong track, try to talk to them. Share the word, offer them a Bible, and keep in contact to help bring them closer to God.

  
  

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