James - part 2 - Unlocking The Bible

David Pawson - ’Unlocking the Bible’ Podcast

Part 86 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series

David Pawson says that, although written to dispersed Jews, the book of James is very applicable to Christians today. It is a very practical word for our everyday lives. James was not focusing on doctrine or faith but was giving Christian advice to counter poor attitudes. As many of his readers were businesspeople intent on money making, James warns against neglecting God and the poor. He covers greed, envy, selfish ambition, pride, boasting, presumption, impatience, anger, arguments, gossip and litigation. If you’re not careful, money comes in and God goes out. James says we need to be alongside people but not to be infected by worldly attitudes. He encourages joy in the face of testing. He shows that we can get wisdom from above right away by asking for it without double mindedness, without doubting. This is a very helpful book though some find it objectionable that it focusses on human activity, but David points out that James’ reason for writing explains why this is so. “Legalism says we’re saved by our good deeds; license says we’re saved without good deeds; but liberty says we’re saved for good deeds.”