Faith in Action, James 1:21

Humbly accept the word planted in you. James 1:21

My study question today: Was this passage related to Jesus’s teachings or time spent with Him?

It seems important to James to see the believers in his care acting upon their faith. He encourages them to ditch anger, too many words, and to accept the Words of truth that were planted in them when they first believed. For us the Word refers to the Bible, but the believers at this time did not yet have the Word written down for them. It was still in process. James’s teaching here draws us back to Jesus’s very Words, that is his upside-down teachings on choosing humility, on loving our enemies, on giving without expecting repayment. Jesus pushed a very active faith, full of love for neighbors and those opposed to us. Jesus didn’t want people to just intellectually agree to his truth, but to fully, deeply live their lives from that Truth. Specifically, here, James encourages his church to be careful with their words, to care for the poor and oppressed, and to remain pure in the middle of an impure world.

Lord Jesus, help us to fully live out your calling to love with your love, to humbly accept what you are doing as you transform us to become more like you. Help us to be doers of your word. Show us what that looks like for each of us today.

What do you think of this section? What is your take away for today?

Also in James Bible Study Reflections