a new creation

A CHANGED LIFE

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Welcome to the journey to authenticity.

As we begin our study of the book of James – let’s first look at the author. The writer of the book of James starts out by identifying himself….

“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.” James 1:1

James – “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

So who was James?

1. He was the younger half - brother of Jesus.
"Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Matthew 13:55

2. James was not a follower of Jesus early in his life.
“Jesus' brothers said to him, "You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world." For even his own brothers did not believe in him.” John 7:3-5

3. James came to believe after he saw the resurrected Jesus.
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,” 1 Corinthians 15:3-7

4. He became a leader in the church at Jerusalem ..
(Acts 12:17; Galatians 2:9, 12)


One of the greatest things about James is that he started out like so many people – he couldn’t believe that this guy – his (half) brother – Jesus - was the Messiah – the Anointed One – the Son of God. James struggled with that – wrestled with that until he encountered the risen Savior and then his life changed.

Noticed what he says about himself – “…a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” James 1:1. James must have undergone a complete change to call his own brother his Lord or master. James must have gone through a radical change to come to give life to Him.. James must have encountered a truth that he couldn’t avoid and then his life changed. He became a follower of Jesus Christ and he was never the same.

This same truth can change your life as well. His desire is to make each of us a new creation – to change us – to take us from who we use to be to become the person he meant for us to be.

It all starts with a relationship with God. It starts by committing your life to Christ and like James becoming a servant of God and a follower of Jesus Christ. It starts with a prayer and includes realizing our need for God because of our sins. It continues with committing our life to Him through baptism. It becomes a life lived for Him.

A new life is available to you- allow God to change you – allow Him to make you into a brand new creation just like He did with James.

We’ll look at verses James 1:2-5 … tomorrow.