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The central theme of James’ letter—calling believers to live holy and righteous lives—reaches its climax in James 4:17. Throughout the letter, James guides Christians along an increasingly narrow path of righteousness and wholehearted devotion to God, emphasizing human inadequacy when measured against God’s perfect standards. In James 4:17, he delivers this message with striking severity: sin is not merely the presence of unrighteousness, but also the absence of complete and specific obedience.
This statement carries a sobering implication: not only is obedience to God’s Word essential, and all disobedience considered sin, but each believer must also respond faithfully to the personal promptings and teachings of the Holy Spirit. In this way, James’ teaching aligns closely with Paul’s, though James expresses it with remarkable brevity.
Paul encourages believers to exercise their freedom with care, so as not to cause others to stumble. He uses examples—such as dietary choices—to illustrate that what is permissible for one believer may not be for another, depending on conscience. James encapsulates this nuanced idea in a single, powerful idea: “Anyone indwelt by the Holy Spirit who disregards the Spirit’s promptings on their conscience is sinning against God.”
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