For a chronological approach to the New Testament, we will follow the order proposed by John A.T. Robinson, in his thoroughly-detailed work Redating the New Testament. He places the letter of James first, giving a date of composition of 47-48 AD. The letter is a book of practical admonitions: ask God for wisdom (James 1:5); don’t show favoritism (2:1-4); faith without works is dead (2:14-17); pray for the sick (5:13-16); and many more.

Here’s one verse that everyone ought to memorize: “God’s righteousness will not be established by human anger” (1:20). We often act as if the contrary were true: as if our anger really would establish God’s righteousness. But even a moment’s reflection will enable us to recall plenty of evidence that our anger is mostly harmful, both to ourselves and others – even though we feel so justified when our outrage erupts all over someone.

So “let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger” (1:19). I do sometimes wonder how much strife might be avoided if people devoted serious effort to listening to one another: not to find where to attack an opponent, but to discover how to understand a brother or sister who often has a vivid reason to see things differently.

We need to set aside the impulse to put ourselves up by putting others down; instead, we need to “welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls” (1:21). That’s a pretty strong testimony for the word there, isn’t it? May that encourage us all to be more diligent Bible readers. “But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves” (1:22). Wait, what? We’re supposed to do what the word says? It turns out that we need both word and action. Diligence in Bible reading can’t stop with just taking notice of what it says; it includes actually putting it into practice.

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Let your word dwell within us, O Lord: in our minds, and in our deeds. Protect us from our own anger; enable us to know that your righteousness will not be established by our outrage, no matter how furious, no matter how much we think it is justified: teach us instead to listen, to be meek, to be obedient to your call.

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