James’ Letter is the manifesto for practical, authentic

discipleship.

James was a practical man. He had seen hypocrisy -- in himself, in the Pharisees, in everyday
Christians -- and he would have none of it. His letter to the early Christian churches is practical and
convicting. He talks about heart Christianity worked out in actions. He discusses love and then insists
that Christian love can’t just speak compassionate words to the hungry -- love must feed them.

James was Jesus' younger brother, growing up in the same household. During Jesus’ ministry, James
had been a skeptic. After Christ’s resurrection, however, he believed and became the lead pastor of the
Church at Jerusalem, helping to set the tone for the emerging Christian movement.

Martin Luther called James' Letter "a right strawy epistle" since it didn't present salvation by grace as
clearly as in Paul's letters. But many have found it to be a right convicting epistle. James has a way of
slicing through all our rationalizations and defenses, and speaking to our hearts with power.