Faith and good works & The Theme of Restoration in Scripture
The Book of James is attributed to Jesus' half-brother, James, and is a companion piece to Jesus' teachings in the Gospels.
Some denominations worry that the Book of James focuses too much on the works. However, the book of James is not just about works but an expression of our faith through our works. In the Book of James, we learn that:
Faith and good works
Faith is not an abstract concept; it produces real deeds in the world. James emphasizes that believers should live out their faith through good works, such as visiting widows and orphans and not playing favorites.
God blesses us with wealth; wealth is not bad in itself; what we do with our wealth (God's gift) matters!
Perseverance
James encourages believers to persevere in prayer and the face of trials.
God's goodness
James teaches that God uses suffering to perfect and build character in his followers.
The danger of the tongue
James advises believers to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.
God is the source of wisdom
James teaches that God is the source of all wisdom.
Living a life of devotion
James challenges believers to live a life of devotion to God by listening to and obeying his word.
The importance of humility
James advises believers to humbly accept the word of God, which can save them.
James chapter 4:
Submit Yourselves to God
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”[c]
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil,and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
James chapter 5:
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
Restoration is a prominent theme in the Bible, appearing in both the Old and New Testaments. It's a message of hope that God has the power to heal, mend, and renew what has been lost or broken.
The Theme of Restoration in Scripture
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the verb "restore" as to bring back to or put back something to a former or original state (Restore, n.d.). The promise of restoration, "I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord" (Jeremiah 30:17, New International Version), is a repeated theme throughout the Bible, offering hope when all else seems to contradict it. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is filled with rich images of healing and restoration— it is a consistent and persistent theme in both the Old and New Testaments.
This theme of restoration provides a foundation for correctly understanding sin and suffering, God's plan for His creation, and His unstoppable quest to save His people and restore them to His image.
