In these days where the world around us is moving further and further away from God it is important that as believers that we stand firm to our faith and actions. The only source of truth for us is the bible, the scriptures “The Word of God or the Word of Truth.”
The early church also had a critical need for direction and instruction. They had no example to follow and society was much polarised.
The letter of James to the early church provides the direction and guidance required to behave as the first fruits of believers.
“Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of His creatures” (James 1:18).
We have been given a new birth, a regenerated self through the Holy Spirit, by God’s will alone.
The Word of God plays a vital role in our regenerated self.
In every genuine case of conversion the scriptures are involved, whether orally or in printed form. The Bible is instrumental in the conversion of a non-believer in that it provides the understanding and instruction leading to their conversion and then provides guidance in how to live out and fulfil their life as a believer.
”So then my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19, 20).
Listening to instructions and reading the Bible is not enough.
James goes on to teach that we should be doers of the word of God and not hearers only: “But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22).
The letter of James with instruction from the word of God, although written around 50 AD, is just as relevant to us today as it was to the fledgling early.
We need to actively apply the word of God in our lives.