Preaching the Word: James—Faith That Works

by R. Kent Hughes

Publisher:

Crossway

, 1991

Overview

The epistle of James is perhaps the most practical—and most convicting—book of the entire New Testament. It is a marvelous exposition of the outworking of genuine Christian faith. True faith works! An inspiring manual on living Christianity in a fallen world.

Contents

Top Highlights

“Trials are not a sign of God’s displeasure but are opportunities to persevere in the Lord.” (Page 21)

“However, there is no real contradiction between James and Paul regarding faith, for Paul’s teaching about faith and works focuses on the time before conversion, and James’ focus is after conversion. As Douglas Moo has pointed out, ‘Paul denies any efficacy to pre-conversion works, but James is pleading for the absolute necessity of post-conversion works.’⁴ Paul was fighting against tradition which promoted a false works salvation. James was fighting against a ‘lite’ faith which minimized the necessity of works after coming to Christ. Paul says works cannot bring us to Christ. James says after we come to Christ they are imperative.” (Page 108)

“The right mind-set—dependence on God—is more important than saying the right words.” (Page 206)

“What does James’ command really mean? In answer, we must first understand what it does not mean. James is not ordering all-encompassing joyful emotion during severe trials; nor is he demanding that his readers must enjoy their trials, or that trials are joy. He knew, as did the writer of Hebrews, that ‘No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful’ (Hebrews 12:11).” (Page 18)

“What the Scriptures forbid is judgmentalism, a critical and censorious spirit that judges everyone and everything, seeking to run others down.” (Page 196)

Product Details

• Title: James—Faith That Works
• Author: R. Kent Hughes
• Series: Preaching the Word
• Publisher: Crossway
• Print Publication Date: 1991
• Logos Release Date: 2001
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Bible. N.T. James › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. James › Homiletical use
• Resource ID: LLS:29.64.3
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-08-30T23:43:06Z

About R. Kent Hughes

R. Kent Hughes (DMin, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is senior pastor emeritus of College Church in Wheaton, Illinois, and recently retired as professor of practical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hughes is also a founder of the Charles Simeon Trust, which conducts expository preaching conferences throughout North America and worldwide.He is the series editor for the Preaching the Word commentary series and is the author or coauthor of many books. He and his wife, Barbara, live in Wyncote, Pennsylvania, and have four children and an ever-increasing number of grandchildren.