Encounter the Truth

Jewish converts might wonder if they are really safe without going to the Levitical priests at the Temple. The point here is to show that Jesus is a legitimate priest—not in the Levitical order, but in the order of Melchizedek. Jesus is the legitimate, promised priest who really is able to deal with our sin and bring us into the presence of God. We can have great confidence and comfort—and must no...

Jesus offers us eternal rest—but we must take warning from the wilderness generation. We must listen and be faithful to him, responding in faith and obedience to his word. When we fail—as we do and will—our Great High Priest gives grace and help.

Jesus offers us eternal rest—but we must take warning from the wilderness generation. We must listen and be faithful to him, responding in faith and obedience to his word. When we fail—as we do and will—our Great High Priest gives grace and help.

Jesus is not only greater than angels, but greater than Moses. And he offers us a promised salvation greater than that offered through Moses. But we must learn from the sinful mistakes of the Exodus generation, and not harden our hearts to God’s word—but be fearfully listening and obedient.

Jesus is not only greater than angels, but greater than Moses. And he offers us a promised salvation greater than that offered through Moses. But we must learn from the sinful mistakes of the Exodus generation, and not harden our hearts to God’s word—but be fearfully listening and obedient.

Although he is the eternal Son, Jesus became human and suffered death for the sake of our salvation—fulfilling the glorious destiny that God planned for humanity, leading many to glory.

Although he is the eternal Son, Jesus became human and suffered death for the sake of our salvation—fulfilling the glorious destiny that God planned for humanity, leading many to glory.

God has spoken his supreme and final word in the person of his Son. We must listen carefully to the gospel message that God has declared through Jesus so that we do not drift away.

God has spoken his supreme and final word in the person of his Son. We must listen carefully to the gospel message that God has declared through Jesus so that we do not drift away.

Prayer is more powerful than we believe. It can lead to the restoration of people and the transformation of situations. So often we doubt that prayer achieves anything, but James calls us to pray with faith.

Prayer is more powerful than we believe. It can lead to the restoration of people and the transformation of situations. So often we doubt that prayer achieves anything, but James calls us to pray with faith.

The coming of the Lord should drive us to godliness. For the rich who live indulgently and oppress the poor, James calls for repentance. For the believers who are suffering, he calls for steadfast endurance. Are we living in the light of the Lord’s return—and is that prospect driving us to repentance and godly living?

The coming of the Lord should drive us to godliness. For the rich who live indulgently and oppress the poor, James calls for repentance. For the believers who are suffering, he calls for steadfast endurance. Are we living in the light of the Lord’s return—and is that prospect driving us to repentance and godly living?

We are so prone to arrogant speech—in judging one another and in speaking of our future plans. James reminds us that God is the Judge of our neighbour, and he is sovereign over the future. Such boasting is evil, and we do well to learn humility.

We are so prone to arrogant speech—in judging one another and in speaking of our future plans. James reminds us that God is the Judge of our neighbour, and he is sovereign over the future. Such boasting is evil, and we do well to learn humility.

We must decide whether we will be friends with the world or friends with God. We cannot be both. God’s Spirit demands our affection and loyalty. If we will submit ourselves to God and draw near to him, he will draw near to us.

We must decide whether we will be friends with the world or friends with God. We cannot be both. God’s Spirit demands our affection and loyalty. If we will submit ourselves to God and draw near to him, he will draw near to us.

In a society of disorder and discord, we desperately need the wisdom that comes from above. God’s wisdom is pure and peaceable, and will lead to meek conduct, the fruit of godliness, and peace in relationships. James urges us not simply to pursue God’s wisdom, but to show it by our good conduct.

In a society of disorder and discord, we desperately need the wisdom that comes from above. God’s wisdom is pure and peaceable, and will lead to meek conduct, the fruit of godliness, and peace in relationships. James urges us not simply to pursue God’s wisdom, but to show it by our good conduct.

Although the human tongue is a small thing, it is immensely powerful. James highlights for us the power and the danger of the tongue, and he challenges us to exercise self-control. More than that, he urges us to consider the inconsistency of our speech: we can so easily use our tongue both to bless and to curse. And James challenges us that this ought not to be so.

Although the human tongue is a small thing, it is immensely powerful. James highlights for us the power and the danger of the tongue, and he challenges us to exercise self-control. More than that, he urges us to consider the inconsistency of our speech: we can so easily use our tongue both to bless and to curse. And James challenges us that this ought not to be so.

We might like to believe that we can have faith in Jesus but then ignore the call to obey Him, but James insists that true faith will lead to works of obedience. The works of obedience do not save, but saving faith will never be found in a life where there is no evidence of faith in works.

We might like to believe that we can have faith in Jesus but then ignore the call to obey Him, but James insists that true faith will lead to works of obedience. The works of obedience do not save, but saving faith will never be found in a life where there is no evidence of faith in works.

It is so easy to treat people with partiality, giving preference to the rich or influential. But God has chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith. We stand guilty as transgressors if we dishonour the poor—and we deny the gracious work of God in the gospel. This is a key area where we need to show that we are not only hearers of the Word but doers.

It is so easy to treat people with partiality, giving preference to the rich or influential. But God has chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith. We stand guilty as transgressors if we dishonour the poor—and we deny the gracious work of God in the gospel. This is a key area where we need to show that we are not only hearers of the Word but doers.