I have talked about the fact that James was the half brother of Christ.  He was a reluctant believer, but after the resurrection, he was a force to be reckoned with, in the Christian community.  Most of what we know of him comes from his work in the Jerusalem church.  Which was being persecuted after the death of Christ.   The book of James is the only work we have that he wrote.

James 1:1  "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting."  This must have been a widely circulated letter for him to have addressed it to all twelve tribes of the Jews.

James had a heart for the his people, the Jews.  They had been dispersed all over the known world after invasions by the Assyrians, Babylonians, and the Romans.  They had lost their country.  But they had not lost their identity.  They knew who they were.  They knew where they came from--Israel--and that Jerusalem was the city of David, the city of the temple.  They were waiting for a king to rise up so they could return to their homeland and once again be a nation.

This letter is to the Jews who knew that the King had come.

James' letter is full of instruction to Jewish believers.   Remember, the only knowledge that these Christians had back then were letters from those who had known Jesus--and perhaps if they were lucky a visit from Paul, Barnabas, Timothy or some other believer that brought news.  The words from James were full of encouragement for them.  Letters were difficult to write and difficult to deliver. These words from James were full of encouragement for them.

The words of James are as relevant today as they were 2000 years ago.  James gives us practical guidelines for our behavior.