James 1:21-25

"Those who listen to the word of God but do not do what it says are like people who look at their faces in a mirror and, after looking at themselves, go away and immediately forget what they look like."

This letter is attributed to James, the brother of Jesus, who became the first bishop of the church in Jerusalem. The letter is written in Greek, and it is very unlikely that the brother of Jesus was educated in Greek. So, the letter reflects the hand of a Greek-speaking Jewish leader of the church. But it may well communicate the teaching of James the Just, as he was known in the early church, for James was concerned with living the word of God as well as preaching it. The letter of James is a good corrective to the letters of Paul, because Paul is so eager to open the church to Gentiles that at times he seems to disparage the commandments of the Torah that require doing good works.

The gospel of Matthew was also seeks to correct Paul's emphasis on faith rather than good works, for in this gospel Jesus teaches that many call him "Lord, Lord," but fail to do the will of the Father. (Mt. 7:21-23) Faith without works is mere belief, and belief alone is not saving.

Grace and peace...Bob