Faith and Action
The book of James is a book of action. It contains only 108 verses. But 60 of those 108 verses hold direct
commands. That’s an average of one call to action in every other verse! James believed strongly that what we
do as followers of Christ is just as important as what we believe about Him.
People have sometimes wondered whether James contradicted the apostle Paul. Paul gave a strong message
that we are saved by faith alone. James said faith without works is dead. But James was not saying that our
good works are what make us righteous before God. James taught that our works prove that we are saved by
faith. He urged his readers not only to agree with the teachings of the Christian faith. James wanted believers
turn their agreement into action.
James was specific about what that action looks like. It involves controlling our words, caring for the poor,
and getting along with one another. He rooted his instructions in the real world. He even said that problems
and pain are unavoidable and essential for our spiritual growth.