James was the half-brother of Jesus. He didn’t believe Jesus was the Messiah until the resurrection. Could you imagine growing up having Jesus as your older brother? The kid never did anything wrong so you couldn’t blame him for anything!

The Book of James is one of my favorite books of the Bible. James has been referred to as the “in your face” Apostle because he talks straight. No ambiguity. The book is only five chapters but he packs a lot into it.

James 4:17 says “ If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” This is haunting. Lots of things can distract us from doing good.

Let’s face it, sin is fun. If it wasn’t everyone would be good all the time. Sinful desires will tug at us all our lives. Yet, we aren’t powerless over it. God promises us a way out. Since God cannot lie, I believe it.

We will face temptation all our life. Let’s try to replace it by doing what is good and right. Then we will have the satisfaction of knowing we are living in God’s will…