13 October saw a gathering of over 170 attending the all-day Chelmsford Anglican Bible Conference at the Central Baptist Church, Chelmsford.
Rupert Standring, vicar of St Peter’s Fulham, capably led the delegates, who came from around Essex and neighbouring counties, through the Epistle of James to see the inescapability of ‘a faith that works’.
In four sessions, he showed the importance of the believer both having the word implanted and obeying it. Faith that is all mouth and no action is dead. If this was true for Israel, as illustrated by the Hebrew word shema, meaning not simply hearing, but doing what was heard, then this must be true for those who claim to be the body of Christ.
James graphically illustrates the sickness of a Christianity which is double-minded. On the one hand following the world’s values, with the consequences of so doing; and, as a result, not truly finding the cure afforded by humbly submitting to the Lord’s will.
The unity of James’ letter was illustrated by true faith that prays in dependence on God’s grace. As believers we should pray in all the challenges that confront us on the journey from death to a living relationship with the Lord of grace who is coming again in glory.
