Ancient Anglican

The Christian life that James will describe in his letter begins with the recognition that a pervasive and all-encompassing joy is the essential characteristic of the Christian life despite what may come our way. 

James is written to the Christian community at large and it instructs us on how to live as a community.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen. Gal. 6:18

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Gal. 6:1-2

For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would. Gal. 5:17

Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another. Gal. 5:26

* For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Gal. 5:14 *

“Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in travail; for the children of the desolate one are many more than the children of her that is married.” Gal. 4:27 quoting Isa. 54:1

Brethren, I beseech you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong; 13 you know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first. Gal. 4:12-13

Now this is an allegory. Gal. 4:24

And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So through God you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an heir. Gal. 4:6-7

So with us; when we were children, we were slaves to the elemental spirits of the universe. Gal. 4:3