WELWYN- JAMES- PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT PB

James at first glance appears to be one of the least doctrinal and most practical books in the New Testament. The letter is filled with advice about facing the trials of life, coping with poverty, the desire to be rich, controlling the tongue, making plans for the future and so on. This makes it attractive to the pragmatic person or for someone with a dislike for doctrine. James does underline the need to be active, practising believers. We are to be those who 'Do not merely listen to the word' but 'Do what it says' (1:22). Nevertheless it is a mistake to read James merely as a handbook of helpful advice. We must not jump straight into the 'How?' without pausing to ask 'Who?'. Christianity is first and foremost a relationship. Rightly relating to God through Jesus Christ is the beginning and end of the Christian life. If we treat this letter as a do-it-yourself manual of living we run the risk of knowing a lot about Christian practice but little about God himself. In the end God will be as distant to us as when we began and our practice may end up in a legalistic checklist of do's and don'ts. No matter how enthusiastically we embrace a practical approach to the Christian life it has no value unless it is based upon God who is the source of that life.