The book of James is the New Testament book of Wisdom and is traditionally classified with Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.
· The message of Christianity, like that of every other religion, is that men are saved by good works.
· But the unique message of the Christian faith alone is that salvation comes by the works of the Lord Jesus Christ, not by sinners’ works.
· That is our faith: it is focused on the good works of the Lord Jesus alone.
Then what is James saying in this section of his letter?
1] Firstly, he is stating what the whole New Testament affirms, that every Christian saved through faith in the Son of God has this calling, to do good works.
2] Secondly, it must be said that James is putting A DIFFERENT BUT PROPER EMPHASIS on words that Paul and Peter also use.
I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THREE OF THESE WORDS, 1)‘faith,’ 2‘justification’ and 3) ‘works’.
