James 1

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (v22). James taught that the “implanted word” – salvation through faith in Jesus – has power to transform our behavior. Jesus didn’t save us so that we could follow a worthless “religion” which leaves us unchanged, still living selfishly, mocking others, or letting anger and hate control us (v19, 26). Instead, God’s will for us is to be “quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (v19) so that we can accomplish His will.

Knowing God through Christ is revealed in new priorities: “to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world” (v27).