We begin the fall with a look at the book of James. In launching an overarching case that real faith produces genuine works, James begins with an opening argument that many preachers would prefer to relegate to a closing remark: the problem of suffering and trials in life. Given that James' readers were experiencing hardship as they tried to come to terms with their new identities as Jewish Christians in a culture that despised both Jews and Christians, it's understandable that their trials would push them toward a more comfortable alternative: either go back to Judaism or stop living out their faith in Christ. Such a temptation is nothing new to any generation of Christians.
Scripture: James 1:1-18