Welcome to a group of women who's goal is to encourage each other to put down some serious roots in the Word of God. This blog is dedicated to reading through the Bible in a year. Hopefully you will find the encouragement and accountability here that you need to push through the tough parts- or when life just gets in the way. The reading plan is located at the bottom of the blog. It contains links to the passages we are reading through biblegateway.com. You can use those links or read your own Bible, whichever you prefer.
We are all members of Oak Hill Baptist Church in Griffin, Georgia and felt the need in our own life for a little bit of the Lord's splendor. Please join us!!

Thursday, January 5, 2012

"Just Live It"

James, the brother of Christ, wrote this letter to Jewish Christians who lived outside of Palestine. Some of them were tempted to let their "intellect" pass for their true faith. It is easy to say we have faith, but true faith will produce loving actions toward others. James' argument is this: faith should transform us; the world should see a remarkable difference in our behavior.


When we receive God's Word into our hearts, it will change our thinking. Once our thinking has changed, then we need to become doers of the Word. This is where "works" becomes an issue, and James emphasizes the importance of works in the Christian life throughout the rest of the book. This letter could be considered a "how-to book on Christian living."



James discusses the "heroes of faith" in chapter two including Abraham and Rahab. He points out that both were justified by works. Some people say that this contradicts Romans where Paul says we are "justified by faith." (Romans 3:28) However, the issue of justification by faith is not the issue of this book. James assumes we know that we have been born again by faith. He assumes we know we have received the righteousness of God without works, but we cannot dismiss the significance of works - for our works become the greatest witness we have to the world around us. (quote by Rose Weiner)


So, I started thinking about the different "works" I have seen at Oak Hill. Here are a few that you will recognize:


The Mission Team that traveled to Nepal to trek and share the gospel

The 2,000+ cans of food given to Rushton's Hope started by the children in Awanas

The unselfish gift of Solomon's Porch and the work that went into the completion of it

The various Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets and gifts given to needy families by Sunday School Classes and individuals

The offerings given to Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong by our church families

The building of a ramp by men in the church for a stoke victim

The innumerable plates of food and dinners taken to people that are sick or hurting by individual church members

The numerous book bags and school supplies given to needy children in the Griffin area

The weekly visitation by our Hospital Visitation Team

The visits and phone calls by our Deacons to Oak Hill visitors and members

The wonderful Sunday School Teachers who prepare to teach every week


I know you can add many more to the above list, but you get the idea. Wouldn't you rather see a testimony than hear one? The world thinks the same way. They hear evangelists on television and radio, and they are waiting for us to be that example before them. They are waiting for us to be living witness known and read by all men. They want to be able to examine and scrutinize our lives and still see Jesus Christ in every word and every action. So, be a doer of the word and not a hearer only.


The Gospel is written a chapter a day

By deeds that you do and by words that you say.

Men read what you say, whether faithless or true.

Say, what is the Gospel according to you?



4 comments:

  1. Barbara, I agree with you 100%. People watch us. We are a witness to our faith and how we live can either be a stepping stone or a stumbling block to those around us. If our lives do not show a difference in how we live than those around us will see no need to change either. Great post.

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  2. Barbara, a great synopsis of a VERY detailed book! As I was reading this morning I kept thinking- "I'm glad I don't have to post on James...it's got too much!" The point of the book- that how we live our lives matters is SO vital. We could literally spend a week just breaking down a few verses from each chapter of this book!
    Shameless plug- The new Beth Moore study "James- Mercy Triumphs" will be starting on Tuesday mornings, Tuesday evenings and Wednesday nights at Oak Hill next week! I've got my book and started looking at it- and it is going to be POWERFUL! So- if you felt like I did- that you need some more time and in depth study into this book- here's a great opportunity! Check out the website www.oakhillbaptist.org for more specific info!

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  3. As I was reading James this morning, I couldn't stop thinking of a friend who challenged me yesterday to MEMORIZE this book with her. :) I am committed to the James Bible study, Natalie!!! I'm actually considering memorizing as much as I can of this book.....I, too, was amazed at the content of these verses!!! Barbara, you did great! So many of these verses were familiar, and I'm so thankful for you tying it all together!

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  4. Absolutely FANTASTIC post Mrs. Barbara!!! One of the biggest things that I struggle with is knowing that there are A LOT of people that THINK they are Christians but have been deceived by Satan and they are really not. So...how can we know who is REALLY a TRUE Christian and who is NOT? By the fruit (works) in their lives! God (through James) knew that this would be an issue and so he gave us this AMAZING book to help us with this issue. The Beth Moore study is going to be incredible!

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