PROFILES —-
JAMES
FACING EARTH — LIVING FOR HEAVEN
James was one of Jesus’ closest disciples. He was a fisherman until he heard the call to follow Jesus and came to sit under His leadership. Early on, James thought Jesus was planning to overthrow the Romans and free Israel. He understood that following Jesus would require his loyalty and devotion, so with his limited view, he asked for a high political position next to Jesus. Over time, however, James came to understand what following Jesus really means. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, James discovered the true gift of living in light of the eternal life Jesus promised him instead of chasing after the things of this world. He became a key leader in the early church, and he was the first disciple to be killed for his faith. James had come to see that God’s Kingdom is eternal and that serving Christ means setting one’s sights on God’s grand plan—even if it leads to martyrdom.
THINK & PRAY
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO GROW IN CHRIST
Following Jesus Christ will bring growth. Understanding the Gospel—the news of the forgiveness and eternal life that Jesus offers—is only the beginning of knowing God and His plans. James was a fisherman who became a disciple, then a leader of the early church, and finally an honorable martyr for the faith. He grew in his faith and loyalty—not to the world’s systems (political, societal, and religious), but to Christ. This is what guided his everyday life on earth all the way up until his martyrdom.
James shows us what it looks like to grow in Christ and be conformed to God’s view and purposes, which are much larger than our own. God will grow each one of us if we keep our eyes on Christ and our hands willing to live out our faith in love no matter the cost.
If you know Christ, have you been stretched in your knowledge and experience of the sacrifice He has called you to make? Can you track how you’ve grown to be more like Him as you have come to better understand the cost of following Him?