Since James is the likely the oldest writing of the New Testament, it appears from James 4:1-17 that church conflicts have been around almost as long as the Christian church has existed. Instead of treating fights as a normal part of church life, this text exposes their causes and provides the solution. Some of the words are blunt, but they are necessary to drive us to God’s grace, which is greater than all our sin.
Jesus’ sayings reveal the meaning of his death on the cross, and some who witnessed it got the message.
God is free to define Israel, to show mercy or wrath, and to add to Israel from the nations.
In the famous story of Daniel in the lions’ den, we learn about being blameless and see again that God reigns and rescues.
