At the church I attend, we are studying the book of James on Wednesday night. We are using a study guide by David Jeremiah and he asks: “Why is it so important that our actions align with our words?”. [1] He lists James 2:12 as a hint. “So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.” (James 2:12 ESV). He also lists Matthew 7:15-23 where Jesus states that not everyone who calls him Lord will enter heaven but only those who do the will of God.
What Jesus and James are telling us is that it takes more than a verbal statement of belief in Jesus to go to heaven; it takes a change in our lives to match what Jesus taught. Since we will be judged as to whether our actions match our words or not, it behooves us to make this change. Is this what mainstream Christianity teaches?
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[1] Dr. David Jeremiah. James. Grand Rapids, MI: HarperChrisitian Resources, 2021, p.55.
