Musing – Are Works important for a Christian?

 Hebraic Musing – Are Works important for a Christian?

Why is thee book of James one of my favorite books in the Bible?  It was a "disputed" book and wasn’t recognized as canonical until the 4th century.  James was a half-brother of Jesus and identifies himself as a servant or slave; thus, required to do his master’s will, not his own.  Early theologians thought there was too much emphasis on “Works”!   What think you?  

Even the outline of the chapters spells WORKS.  Working patience through Trials;  Obedience that accompanies Faith;  Restraining the Unbridled Tongue;  Keeping calm in Conflicts; Suffering & Sick Saints.

The book of James starts with a grabber line.  “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” James 1:2 NIV   Does that statement sound strangely contradictory?  Does it get your attention?  James explains its importance in v.1:12. “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

Then in vs.19-20 he tells naturally impulsive people, like you and I, how to behave!  “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” That is not an easy command, it sure does not come naturally!

I think v.1:22 is the most important challenge in the book.  “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”  Why?   Doesn’t God forgive?  Should we be counting on His forgiveness?!?!

So, what should we be doing?  “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”  v.1:27    Do you find that as thought provoking as I do?  I haven’t heard that preached from the pulpit!  And then vs 2:8 challenges us further with an even broader responsibility. “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.”

Do these verses sound like a call to work, or instructions on how to live?  “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:7-10   Clearly, these are some things we are to be doing!   Does Work involve some Doing?

And here is one of the biggest challenges we are called to overcome. “All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” v.3:7-8

Why do I wince when I read this verse?  “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.” v. 4:17   Does our Lord really want us, His Children, to be proactive?  And if we don’t, then what?

And the last verses in the book tell us to keep our eyes open for this opportunity!  “My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” vs.5-19-20  Do we do enough evangelizing???

Is “Faith Alone” sufficient?  “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?” v.2:14   And v.2:18 provides the answer. “But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’  Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.” 

Here is the key message of the book of James.  “You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.” v.2:24

Points to ponder

Why is the book of James one of my favorite but challenging books?

Are we justified by what one does?  Or by faith?  Or by the combination of both?

Verse 1:22 tells us to “do what it says”.  Why is that important?

BTW - My earthly father loved me; BUT he would not give me my allowance unless I did my chores.

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                       October 27, 2026 

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
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