The Bottom Line James 1:16-27 4 The Bottom Line James 1:16-27

Disputes in the Early Church Acts 6 - Methodology/Responsibility Acts 15 - Grace/Law I Cor. - Freedom/Tradition

“…when the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away.” - I Cor. 13:10

James describes the kind of thinking and attitude that constitute the bottom lines in what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. - James 1:16

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. - James 1:17

Some things are not debatable God is good There are no compromises in His promises No one can blame God for sin.

In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures. - James 1:18

The primary mark of the Christian life is how one responds to God’s Word.

Responding has 2 Elements: The way we listen This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; - James 1:19

for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. - James 1:20

Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. - James 1:21

Responding has 2 Elements: The way we listen The way we respond But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. - James 1:22

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. - James 1:23-24

But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. - James 1:25

The law of liberty frees us from sin, not responsibility.

If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. - James 1:26-27

3 Examples of Proper Response Control of the tongue Benevolence Purity of life

The bottom line in Christianity is that God’s Word has both the power to save and transform us – if we respond to it!