The book of James is often treated as the poor man’s relation to Paul’s epistles. Luther infamously described it as an “epistle of straw” and I think many, like him have seen it as troublesome, potentially in conflict with the message of justification by faith and salvation by grace alone that we see in Romans,… Continue reading Faith at work -introduction to the book of James
Tag: faith
Pacing yourself
Something struck me as our life group were meeting the other day. We were talking bout the life of Abraham and how he has to wait so many years before the promised son, Isaac comes. He lives 100 years, waiting, trusting making mistakes, learning, growing in his faith, preparing before his prayer is answered. This… Continue reading Pacing yourself
What is it that Abraham has faith for?
In Genesis 15, Abram (he hasn’t been renamed yet) meets with the living God. The LORD tells him not to be afraid, he will be his shield and his reward. In effect God is reiterating his promise to bless Abram. He will protect him and provide for him. Abram’s response is a question, along the… Continue reading What is it that Abraham has faith for?
Rescuing Lot
Lot has headed off to live near Sodom and Gomorrah. He quickly becomes entwined in the life and politics of Sodom and when an enemy raiding party attack the city, he is caught up with the captives (Genesis 14:1-12). This is reported back to Abram and I guess it would have been easy for him… Continue reading Rescuing Lot
Does God sometimes reward sin?
When Abraham goes to Egypt because of a famine in the land of Cannan and attempts to pass off Sarai his wife as being just his sister, the consequences for Pharoah are serious. God strikes Egypt with plagues. However, Abraham, himself appears to do well out of it. First, we are told that “when Pharaoh’s… Continue reading Does God sometimes reward sin?
Trust, doubt and negotiation
How do you feel about free offers? Do you snap them up or think they must be too good to be true? Who likes to negotiate and barter? What’s happening with Abram? Abram has been promised by God that he will be blessed and that through him God’s promised blessing (Jesus) will come to all… Continue reading Trust, doubt and negotiation
Did God speak to Terah in the same way that he did to Abraham?
In Genesis 11:27-32, Terah, the father of Abraham (still known as Abram at this point) and grandfather of Lot takes his family from Ur in Mesopotamia towards Canaan. He doesn’t get as far as the intended destination but settles at a place called Haran to the north of modern-day Israel. There the family remain until… Continue reading Did God speak to Terah in the same way that he did to Abraham?
The promise that Abraham believed
In Genesis 12:1-3 We see the first description of the Covenant that God makes with Abraham, at this stage known as Abram. God tells Abram to complete he journey that his Father has set out on. He sends him to the land he has given him and promises to bless him. Biblical Theologians therefore talk… Continue reading The promise that Abraham believed
Journey interrupted
We usually leap into the story of Abram in Genesis 12, however, he’s introduced in Genesis 11:27-32. There, at the end of the list of descendants of Shem, following the scattering at Babel, we are introduced to Terah, the almost Patriarch. Terah has three children, Abram, Nahor and Haran, mirroring Noah’s three sons and Cain,… Continue reading Journey interrupted
Why study the life of Abraham?
In the Spring, our church did a series on Galatians. Later in the Autumn, we will be working through the book of James. It’s important to read something like James alongside Galatians to help us deepen our understanding of what true faith looks like. Galatians shows us that we are not saved by works, it’s… Continue reading Why study the life of Abraham?
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