Böcker av Warren Hodge

How can people provide a credible witness to Jesus today? The Letter of James in the New Testament, despite being written so many centuries ago, provides much insight into this question. The very teaching of Jesus is applied to the life situations that James and his faith community faced. This letter's major themes of endurance, maturity, wisdom, humility and love for neighbor are so relevant to the quality and effectiveness of our daily witness to Jesus. As we deeply reflect on these scripture verses in our own contexts, we will be much better placed to honor the name of Jesus in ways that might inspire others to also respect, love and follow him. It is the way in which we journey with peace, kindness and hope through daily life that speaks of the efficacy of a relationship with Jesus. This is the fourth in a series of daily reading books, following on from those on Mark, Romans, and the Kingdom of God - although this volume contains longer readings (with footnotes) that could be studied over several days.

Back in the first century CE, the famous Christian apostle Paul wrote a topical occasional letter, by no means a systematic theology, to Jesus-following Gentiles and Jews in Rome. Paul was concerned that they would be able to mix together graciously in community - a community that would accede to the teachings of Jesus as interpreted by Paul himself, and, in so doing, bring glory to the name of God. Since Paul's own conversion and call on the road to Damascus, he believed that he had a unique mission to bring grace to the Gentiles and see them unequivocally included in the collective of God's contemporary children. With all of Paul's experience on the journey from place to place - in successful church planting, in responding to practical theological matters, and through difficulties and opposition - he was certainly able to offer clear advice on how to live well in freedom and joy. Let us not mistake Paul's emphasis on making the message of Jesus and his grace available to all without putting roadblocks or hindrances in anyone's way! Chapter 8 of Paul's letter to the Romans covers many important themes pertaining to our faith, while chapter 12 moves such insights into areas of ethics and credible interpersonal and community living. Here we learn how to live a good life! In this commentary, there are 82 daily readings each with a brief principle to take forward. This is the third in a series of books by this author, each with daily studies on various scriptures - the others cover the Gospel of Mark from a missional perspective and the broad theme of the Kingdom of God.