If we are going to grow and mature in our faith, then the gospel must be central.  And we must not only hear it, but we also have to do it - live by faith on the basis of it.  But James understands there is an often overlooked reality that makes this possible.  We must embrace the gospel - literally welcome it in.  Pulling on Jesus' parable of the sower, James calls us to do the hard work of making space in the soil of our lives to implant the gospel within us.  It is the implanted seed of the gospel that ultimately bears fruit.