the power of the word

James 1:16-21

James contrasts the Father of heavenly lights who does not change to the lights (and shadows they create) who are constantly shifting. He repeats the phrase "my dear brothers and sisters" as if James is their older brother or spiritual father offering sage advice. There is definitely some intimacy there.
James speaks about the word twice. First, it is the word of truth that gives birth to us and then it is the word planted in us that, if we humbly accept it, will save us. This is a powerful word! If the word has that ability, I wonder why we are so unlikely to read it and humbly accept it. The fruit of the word is life and salvation and who isn't looking for that?
I am afraid that we are in the midst of a generation of illeterate Christians - people who don't read the Bible. This raises huge challenges for ministry since it is the word that brings life so how can I, as a minister of the gospel, help people find life in a world where they don't read? What does this mean for the way that I speak and teach? What does it mean for the way that I mentor and lead? I don't think I can assume that my audience knows much, if anything, about the Bible beyond what they've been taught in Sunday School or what they might have heard at youth or church. I also think it means that the Church needs to find creative ways to get the Bible to the peopel. In medieval times when the populace was illiterate, the Church relied on passion plays and morality plays to teach the Bible. Maybe this means that we find ways to teach through YouTube and the internet. All I know is that if the word brings life then if we want to see people saved and come alive, we need to get the word to them.