The Big Read – James

Powerpoint Pictures: Variety of trees – some with fruit on it, some with no fruit on it

Does this tree have any fruit on it? [Look at the pictures and tell me what you see]

Does this tree have any fruit on it? is the big question James is asking us in his letter.

James is writing to Christians, men and women, boys and girls, who are trusting in the Lord Jesus to save them from their sin.

And he says that if you are a Christian it should be obvious to everyone that you are by the way you are living.  Like apples on an apple tree makes it clear to everyone that the tree is an apple tree, so there should be fruit in a Christian’s life making it clear to everyone that this person is a Christian.

He says, “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:17).

If we are trusting in the Lord Jesus it will be seen in the way we live our lives, especially in two ways James says.

The first way is how we cope with suffering.  How we respond when things go wrong or don’t go our own way.  The second way is how we love those in the local church.

So are you like a tree with fruit?  Would people look at you and say you are a Christian?