This is part of Mel Lawrenz’ “How to Understand the Bible” series. If you know someone or a group who would like to follow along on this journey through Scripture, they can get more info and sign up to receive these essays via email here.

We continue to find astonishing variety in the Scriptures when we look at two New Testament books: James, a book of Christian wisdom, and Hebrews, which explains the complicated connections between the old covenant and the new. Both of these books are not addressed to a particular Christian group. They are sometimes called “general epistles.”

The epistle of James, which was probably written by the James who was the leader of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 15), focuses on the practicalities of personal and community life. There is nothing in James about the nature of God, the plan of redemption, or the atonement; and Jesus is mentioned only twice. James is almost like the book of Proverbs for the New Testament. Wisdom is not an elite and specialized knowledge, it is everyday practical lifestyle rooted in values that come “from heaven.”

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (James 3:13-17)

This is straightforward and challenging. It is a call to action. If today’s leaders would take James’ description of wisdom as their paradigm of leadership, our communities would look entirely different. James is also known for the challenge to put faith into action (James 2:14-24). “What good is it… if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?” (2:14). James confronts favoritism, greed, and destructive talk. James gives some perspective for those going through trials or who are teetering on the edge of temptation. James challenges us to be patient, respectful, and peace-loving.

The greatest challenge in reading the epistle of James is not so much understanding what it means, but living what it prescribes.

The book of Hebrews is long for an epistle. It is steeped in details about the Old Testament sacrificial system and explanations of how the plan of redemption has been fulfilled in Jesus. It is a mystery who authored this book. “To the Hebrews,” means it was written for Jewish Christians who especially needed a theological explanation of how faith in Christ fulfilled the Old Testament law.

The first 10 chapters describe how Christ and faith in Christ has superseded the old covenant, has surpassed the accomplishments of Moses and Joshua, and has replaced the priesthood and the sacrificial system.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Heb. 4:14-16)

The book of Hebrews provides a key to unlocking challenging questions about the story of God in which he works for centuries in and through a special covenant people, starting with Abraham, but then does something entirely new in Jesus. It is not that the terms of a relationship with God have changed, which always was and always will be faith based on grace. But the scope of God’s grace now expands to the whole world with the atonement in Jesus.

The book of Hebrews also warns believers about falling away from the faith, and challenges them to persevere in difficult circumstances, remaining faithful to the new covenant. Hebrews 11 is a stunning description of how faith and hope across the ages have been the distinguishing characteristics of God’s people, beginning with Abraham. “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for” (Heb. 11:1-2). The followers of Jesus have, in his sacrifice, the power to overcome sin and to persevere:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb. 12:1-2)

To understand Hebrews, we have to look backwards into the Old Testament, seeing how spiritual realities are anticipated and then fulfilled. When we do that, we will be stunned by the wide scope of biblical truth in the great narrative that stretches from a covenant with Bedouin shepherds from Mesopotamia to the entire world. And Hebrews lets us know that taking the long view—of persevering and plodding, of believing and behaving rightly—always has been the way of God with men and women.

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Mel Lawrenz is Director of The Brook Network and creator of The Influence Project. He’s the author of thirteen books, most recently Spiritual Influence: the Hidden Power Behind Leadership.