Encounter the Truth

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.

God cares not only that we hear the Word, but that we do it. True religion will be shown by our practical actions.

God cares not only that we hear the Word, but that we do it. True religion will be shown by our practical actions.

The Word of God is able to save. Our tongues are often instruments of sin. We therefore need to be people who are committed much more to listening than to speaking.

The Word of God is able to save. Our tongues are often instruments of sin. We therefore need to be people who are committed much more to listening than to speaking.

God uses trials for our good, but he is never the source of temptation to sin. No, God is the source of every good gift. We must trust in his goodness at all times—and especially in times of trial.

God uses trials for our good, but he is never the source of temptation to sin. No, God is the source of every good gift. We must trust in his goodness at all times—and especially in times of trial.

The Lord causes us to become steadfast and complete when he brings us through trial—and he makes us wise as we come to him in faith. Trust him in times of trial—call out to him for the wisdom you will need to navigate those times of trial with a godly perspective.

The Lord causes us to become steadfast and complete when he brings us through trial—and he makes us wise as we come to him in faith. Trust him in times of trial—call out to him for the wisdom you will need to navigate those times of trial with a godly perspective.

The Lord causes us to become steadfast and complete when he brings us through trial—and he makes us wise as we come to him in faith. Trust him in times of trial—call out to him for the wisdom you will need to navigate those times of trial with a godly perspective.

Living as free people in the power of the Spirit, we are called to do good to those around us—and especially to those of the family of faith. (This will include the hard work of restoring a fallen brother.) And as people made free through Jesus, we are to boast exclusively in the cross of Christ, and not in law-keeping.

There is an internal conflict within the believer’s heart between the Spirit and the sinful nature. Both the Spirit and the sinful nature produce distinctive fruit. Paul calls us to live by the Spirit and to keep in step with the Spirit, producing fruit in keeping with the Spirit.

There is an internal conflict within the believer’s heart between the Spirit and the sinful nature. Both the Spirit and the sinful nature produce distinctive fruit. Paul calls us to live by the Spirit and to keep in step with the Spirit, producing fruit in keeping with the Spirit.

There are two dangers associated with our freedom in Christ. One is that we will forfeit it as we slip into legalism and try to justify ourselves before God; the other is that we will use our freedom as a license from sin. True freedom in the gospel allows no room for either.

There are two dangers associated with our freedom in Christ. One is that we will forfeit it as we slip into legalism and try to justify ourselves before God; the other is that we will use our freedom as a license from sin. True freedom in the gospel allows no room for either.

Having been set free from the demands of the law, it would be all too easy to slip into legalism once more. But we are children of the promise. If we trust in Jesus, we are true children of God and enjoy true freedom in him.

Having been set free from the demands of the law, it would be all too easy to slip into legalism once more. But we are children of the promise. If we trust in Jesus, we are true children of God and enjoy true freedom in him.

Through Christ, we are adopted as God’s true children. Because our standing is not based on Old Testament law, our access to God does not depend on being Jewish—and so, in Christ, all people who believe in him share in God’s promised salvation. Having this standing and this access, we can call God “Abba, Father.”

Through Christ, we are adopted as God’s true children. Because our standing is not based on Old Testament law, our access to God does not depend on being Jewish—and so, in Christ, all people who believe in him share in God’s promised salvation. Having this standing and this access, we can call God “Abba, Father.”

It may seem as though God’s Law and his promises in Christ stand opposed to one another, but Paul shows us that the law had the effect of leading us to Christ and to find justification by faith in him. Wonderfully, Christ brings us freedom from the "supervision" of the law. We live in the joy of sins forgiven and a relationship with God based on the merits of Jesus alone.

It may seem as though God’s Law and his promises in Christ stand opposed to one another, but Paul shows us that the law had the effect of leading us to Christ and to find justification by faith in him. Wonderfully, Christ brings us freedom from the "supervision" of the law. We live in the joy of sins forgiven and a relationship with God based on the merits of Jesus alone.

Although the coming and work of Christ might look like God’s plan “B” when salvation by works failed, actually, Paul shows us that God’s promises and plans through the Old Testament point to Christ and find fulfilment in him. Law-keeping was never the means of salvation, and we must never fall back into thinking that it could ever save.

Although the coming and work of Christ might look like God’s plan “B” when salvation by works failed, actually, Paul shows us that God’s promises and plans through the Old Testament point to Christ and find fulfilment in him. Law-keeping was never the means of salvation, and we must never fall back into thinking that it could ever save.