In this episode, Pastors Whit George and Angela Ekstrum explore James 1, identity in Christ vs. cultural identity, the authority of Scripture, and the power of community in forming us.
James writes into a unique cultural and historical moment. His letter predates the gospels, addressing the earliest believers who had just witnessed the birth of the Church at Pentecost. At this time, the stories of Jesus were shared through oral tradition, and these men and women were learning to follow Christ in a hostile culture.
James steps into this environment as a pastor, urging them to live as citizens of the kingdom of God—with their first allegiance to Him and His Church.
To live in God’s kingdom is to live in tension. Believers are placed on a battlefield where the way of Jesus runs counter to culture.
While society pressures people to conform, James presents a new vision: life under God’s rule.
Citizenship in His kingdom comes first, reshaping how every part of life is understood.
Every day, 400+ million terabytes of information flood the internet. Knowledge isn’t scarce—wisdom is. Countless “ways to live” compete for our attention, but James points us back to the simplicity of being rooted in Christ.
Jesus doesn’t just offer another option—He gives the truth about who we are. In Him, identity is secure, direction is clear, and life becomes about trusting His word, not chasing endless voices.
Western culture prizes self-expression—urging people to craft their “truest” selves through achievement, image, or self-improvement. Even Christians are tempted to optimize life or accumulate knowledge as a substitute for true identity.
James calls us away from fragile selves and toward being settled in Christ alone. He models this himself: instead of writing, “James, the brother of Jesus,” he opens with “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” His identity rests in his Savior, not his bloodline.
Discipleship is not about stockpiling information or adding routines. It is about answering the deepest questions: Who am I? Who do I belong to? What is real?
True identity is formed when life is seen in light of the One who made and redeemed us. His word is the final word.
This means daily surrender—exposing the areas where opinions outweigh God’s truth and allowing doctrine (right thoughts about God) to reshape imagination, belief, and behavior. But doctrine must move beyond the head to the heart, shaping the way we live.
James’ words may feel blunt, but they are filled with grace and pastoral care. He writes to brothers and sisters, not to condemn but to strengthen.
The church is not an event—it is a people with shared identity and purpose. Like guardrails on a bowling lane, Scripture and community help keep believers on course, reminding them who they are, and calling them back to truth.
At the heart of James’ letter is a simple invitation: stop chasing self-optimization or drowning in information overload, and return to God’s Word.
To be settled in Christ is to find freedom, confidence, and security—an identity anchored in Him alone, not in the shifting sands of culture.
Listen to the message: An Invitation to Christian Living (for real)
In this episode, they reference the book Hearers & Doers by Kevin J. Vanhoozer
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