Chapter 2! The controversial one, because it talks about faith on its own being insufficient. At a glance it seems to contradict what the Bible says elsewhere, but the problem is how we define faith. Faith is not simply embracing a set of beliefs, it's making a change in loyalty that always results in changed behavior or it's not real.

James argues that if we've really changed our loyalty over to Jesus, the first place we'll see a change in behavior is how we treat one another. Rather than showing partiality to the people who can benefit us, we'll love on the poor and the outcast because we understand that's how God has loved us!

James Chapter 2

As one of the "minor prophets", it's easy to overlook Joel. But in Acts chapter 2, Joel is precisely where Peter goes to explain the gospel and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Joel is a bridge between the old and new testaments, helping us understand where we fit into the story, and what remains to be fulfilled in the future.

Graham Langdon

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