James 1:21-25

The letter attributed to James says: "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."

In verse 22 of this chapter we read, "be doers of the word, and not hearers only." God's blessing will come, the letter says, for those who "visit orphans and widows in their affliction" and keep themselves "unstained from the world." (James 1:27) The greatest sin may be hypocrisy, because it involves affirming the good but not living up to it.

James the brother of Jesus, to whom this letter is attributed, was known in the early church for his righteousness. Early Christian writings refer to him as "James the Just." The church in Jerusalem was feeding the widows and caring for the orphans out of the pool of funds collected from members in Jerusalem and later from Greek-speaking congregations established by Paul.

Grace and peace...Bob