It's going to the gym without a workout plan. It's putting a puzzle together without the picture on the box top. It's making a cake without a recipe. It's heading out on a long trip without a map. The book of James is the plan, the picture, the recipe and the map on what it looks like to live out your faith.
I love my wife...but if I never demonstrate my love, it's fair to ask if I really love her. I truly believe that eating well and exercising regularly will lead to a healthy life, but if I never eat well or exercise regularly, do I really believe that? We can say we believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for my sin and that I am His follower...but if I don't actually follow His ways, it's fair to ask if I truly believe.
James urges us to not only talk the talk but to walk the walk. This book gives us the ultimate description of the relationship between faith and works. James understands that growing in our faith requires knowledge but he challenges his readers to not stop there. He reflects on Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount and exhorts the reader to "act" on them. He's writing to people who are suffering. His words are practical and encouraging.
