Maturing and Fruitful Faith

Orthodoxy is a word that comes into English from two Greek words that mean “right praise.” It refers to correctness in doctrine, and so biblical orthodoxy is essential to the Christian life. We are to contend for what God has revealed, the true faith once delivered to the saints by the prophets and Apostles (Jude 3).

Biblical, Christian orthodoxy, we learn from the book of James and other portions of Scripture, must lead to orthopraxy or we have missed the point. Orthopraxy comes from two Greek words that mean “right action,” and it refers to the holy and righteous actions that God commands. Authentic Christianity is not merely a mental assent to correct doctrine, though that is vital. It entails a living fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom alone we rest for salvation, and are transformed day by day into His image. It means that while we are justified by faith alone, the faith that justifies is never alone but is continually maturing and exhibiting the fruit of righteousness.

Our study of the book of James continues this month as we examine James 2:14–3:18. We will see how true faith manifests itself in good deeds, restraining our tongues, and the cultivation of wisdom from above.