By DR. LLOYD T. ANDERSON
JAMES
PRACTICAL ATHEISM It is sad to see so many prob lems and so much discord in the church of Jesus Christ today. In the fourth chapter of James, the Apostle clearly speaks out against such at titudes (4:11-17). While we may believe intellectually in God's ex istence, it is by our deeds that we really show if the transaction of faith was real in our lives. Men have always denied God's exis tence. Imagine that man has pro gressed so far that he is able to do without the Lord entirely. How foolish he really is. But how infin itely more terrible it is to be a child of God and live as though the Lord was non-existent. It is sad that such a condition could exist. One of the most serious sins
among Christian people is that of talking against each other. The words “ brethren" and "brother" in vrs. 11 prove that James is writing to believers. Back biting and fault finding are all too common among those who name the name of Christ. To "speak evil" in the Greek means to talk someone down. Slanderous talk, defamation of character, and false accusations should be forever set aside. They are absolutely gross evils. Evil speaking is equivalent to judging the brethren. Such claims to be su perior to those who are maligned. When Christians judge others they are setting themselves up as examples of virtue. What a subtle form of pride. Who do we think we are that we have the capacity Page 37
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