Blessing God

If James could reduce the purpose of his letter down to only two words, they would be 'Spiritual maturity'.

Personal spiritual growth among individuals is just about the greatest need in the church today.

In our end of the 20th century, we are seeing too many churches sink to a role of providing playpens for babies instead of workshops for adults.

One look at the problems James covers in this short letter says it all. As a pastor he was dealing with childhood illnesses.

He is writing and exhorting them about the five marks of childish and immature believers. Did you notice them?

1. Spiritual babes are Impatient with the troubles of life (1:1-4)
2. Spiritual babes are quick to talk but slow to live the truth (2:14)
3. Spiritual babes have an out of control tongue (3:1)
4. Spiritual babes are often bickering and jealous (4:1)
5. Spiritual babes are busy collecting material 'toys' (5:1)