Family Bible Church weekly message

* This is now the sixth week that we have been studying the letter of James to the twelve tribes which were scattered as a result of the persecution of the church. * James opened his letter to them by exhorting them to consider their troublesome situations as joyous events which have been allowed in their lives to strengthen their endurance and prove the genuineness of their faith. He instructed them that our troublesome times are not caused by God - who is the giver of every good gift and perfect bestowment - but ultimately arise as a result of our misguided burning passions. James challenged them to be doers of the word - the Perfect Law of Liberty - and not to deceive themselves by being hearers only. * James then begins to apply this exhortation to our practical theology ... how we live out what we believe. * Today, we will consider the second of these applications: Faith vs. Works. This portion almost prevented the letter of James from being included in what was accepted as the inspired Word of God.