In this scene of Acts we see a community at peace, a man healed, the marginalized cared for, and a woman brought back from death to life. These miraculous things were a preview of what is to come in fullness one day. The works of Jesus, pointing us to the ultimate work he has accomplished at his death and resurrection and we will fully experience at his return. In the power of his Spirit, we too can become a preview people, showing the world a glimpse of restoration.
In the beginning of creation there were two trees at the center of the story holding out a choice to humans: will you trust the Creator to show you what is good and what is not, or will you rebel against Him to try and make yourself king of your own life? Psalm 1 reminds God's people that one of these choices leads to life and the other leads to death. How have the first humans chosen? How have you and I chosen? If we've already gone to the wrong tree, is there any hope to find our way back to the right one?
James continues with a clear distinction between trials and temptations, knowing that when life gets hard is when we are most often lured away and tempted. How do we fight this temptation? How do we examine our own desires and find a better answer to them? Is the Christian life a continual suppression of our desires, much like stoicism? Or do we just give in to desires because we have grace in Christ? The book of James shows us there is a third way, a better way, a righteous way that fills our desires far more than any other thing can.
