It’s always always important to be reminded of the purpose of a document. It keeps the reading and understanding in context as to why and to who it was written. For example, let’s look at the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Matthew was written toward the Jew and thus shows Jesus as the King who sits on the throne of David. The Jews wanted a king and still are looking for a king today. That’s why Matthew starts with the genealogies. Giving the linage that was and is important to them. Mark was writing toward the Roman. Rome was tough and hard. Rulers came to power by defeating and coursing others. Mark shows Jesus as wearing a crown, not of gold, but thorns. He show Jesus as wearing a purple robe speaking of royalty. Mark says that Jesus overcame not by power but by being the suffering servant. Luke was writing toward the Greek. He writes very orderly and detailed. That was the greek mind under the influence of the likes of Plato and Aristotle. When you read these accounts of Jesus with that in mind it opens up our understanding and helps guide our thought process.

Now again when we come to this letter written by James, he instructs us of who he is writing too. James 1:1 NKJV - (1) James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. These are those who have been displaced from their home land and are living as strangers and foreigners where they dwell. They are being oppressed, beaten, and task with things that go against their nature and teaching. It’s in these scenarios that we can begin to have of thoughts and the things we know to be true challenged to the point of breaking. It’s difficult to stay true because the pressure is very heavy.

So, if you have missed any of the messages in this series go back and listen to them to have an understanding of where we are today