James, the half-brother of Jesus was a very practical apostle and his book is quite realistic when it comes to every day issues of life. He was tired of people professing and talking without any actions to back up what they said. He writes to correct the myth that we are saved by grace but no works, as to what we should do now that we are saved.
Christians were going through persecution and very difficult times and he encourages them with practical advice on the steps they needed to take to move to the next level of faith and God's blessings. I cannot begin to think or talk about the kind of difficulties that people all over the world have gone through in the wake of Covid-19 Pandemic and its negative consequences.