James 1:19-27: Listening and Doing

Last time, we talked about how everyone is on an equal footing before God, but not in a good way. Every human being is sinful and does not seek God as he or she ought. We also saw that, to Paul, the Law means little if it is used as a measure of one’s holiness because…well…all the Law does is make it clear that humanity is messed up.

That said, obedience is important. James makes that very clear. And so it is to James that we turn now.

Romans 3:9-20: No One Is Righteous

Here Paul continues his discussion of God’s faithfulness to those who belong to Him by pointing out, in no uncertain terms, that everyone is on equal footing before Him. But not in the manner in which his listeners would expect. He begins by asking a simple question:

What then? Are we Jews any better off? (Romans 3:9a ESV)