Many years ago, a book of profound thinking hit the Christian bookstore shelves. It was probably not as well read as it should have been. We plucked from the bargain bin! But it was a great read for Randy and I at the time. We even created a workshop, using some of those thoughts as a way to stir God’s church leaders a bit. The book? “The 10 Dumbest Things Christians Do” by Mark Atteberry. One of those things is praising your “great church, with great worship” when trying to bring others inside to an imperfect group of people versus telling others about Jesus and how He has healed and consistently helps you and never leaves you or lets you down.

The book of James is saying a lot of the same and more. In Eugene Peterson’ introduction of the book of James, he states…

“When Christian believers gather in churches, everything that can go wrong sooner or later does. Outsiders, on observing this, conclude that there is nothing to the religion business except, perhaps, business–and dishonest business at that. Insiders see it differently. Just as a hospital collects the sick under one roof and labels them as such, the church collects sinners.” -Peterson 

“Welcome Saints! To which we all greeted the speaker, Max Lucado, back with “Hello!” Then, just as joyously, he shouted, “Welcome Sinners!” All in the room were surprise, taken back and mumbled a weak “hi”. We are both! We are not perfect. We need to bring people to our Perfect Jesus, for He will never let them done. We are human and invariably will let someone down at some point in our lives. Maybe many times…”For all have sinned…”

Peterson goes on to say…”So Christians churches are not, as a rule, model communities of good behavior. They are, rather, places where human misbehavior is brought out in the open, face, and dealt with.”

“The letter of James shows one of the church’s early pastors skillfully going about his work of confronting, diagnosing and dealing with areas of misbelief and misbehavior that had turned up in congregations committed to his care. Deep and living wisdom is on display here, wisdom both rare and essential. Wisdom is not primarily knowing the truth, although it certainly includes that; it is skill in living. For, what good is a truth if we don’t’ know how to live it? What good is an intention if we can’t sustain it?”

Wait a minute…isn’t this the true mission of the church? To help us find the Savior we have been seeking and provide an environment where we can grow up with God has our landscaper?

According to church traditions, James carried the nickname “Old Camel Knees”. (I’ve heard that since I was a kid.) He had built thick calluses on his knees from many years of determined prayer. The prayer is foundations to the wisdom. Prayer is always foundation to wisdom. 

Ready for James? It might be a rough ride for us…

“I, James, am a slave of God and the Master Jesus, writing to the twelve tribes scattered to Kingdom Come: Hello!” James 1:1 Msg

Dear Heavenly Father, We become slack in our efforts at times and our skills for living (wisdom) suffer from it. Sharpen our axes of thinking and behaving with your Word that heals, comforts and convicts. Do what You need to do in us. Thank you, Lord. 
In Jesus Name, Amen