SHOW ME
The Epistle of James
INTRODUCTION Sometimes when we listen to people tell about how they became a Christians, we hear them use words like "I had this wonderful feeling come over me," "I felt like I was being drawn to the front by a power outside of me," " There was this fantastic sense of love," " I believed," and other superlative words and phrases. Great claims of faith are made and professions of trusting God or having a change in their lives are testified to. The right answers are given perhaps, but the actions that follow and the lifestyle lived is the same as before these claims were made. The lives of many who profess to be Christians are no different than many people who are not children of God. The book of James addresses this problem.
Counterfeit Christianity may have some "Christian" characteristics and words but the reality of faith is seen by the works that follow the profession of faith. Talk is cheap and boasts of faith are hollow when there is no evidence of being made "a new creation" in Christ. If "old things" have not passed away and if "newness of life" is not evident, then the reality of faith in Christ is not there. To claim to be a Christian and live like the world is a contradiction to the Gospel. True, Christians often say a lot and produce little. They make great claims regarding faith but show little signs of life and light, but when the Spirit of God is indwelling a person, there will be evidence of the new nature that can be seen. James addresses the matter of how faith and works go together, and the impact of what we speak.
The reality of true faith is a changed life that includes a new attitude toward God and His people. There will be a Christ-likeness personally, and there will be godly living that can be seen by those who know us. True faith and good works come naturally to a believer in Christ in whom the Spirit of God lives, producing a lively faith. Some characteristics that are seen in God's people is a consciousness of sin and an abhorrence of it. There will be an inward compassion towards those who are lost and a desire to see them saved. There will be a sense of justice and fairness in the society in which they live. They will be able to recognize the fact that faith and action go together. The words they use and the way they speak will be honorable, not crass nor embarrassing. They will speak with grace and at the same time will mean what they say because they know their testimony of faith depends on good speech. A believer knows the difference between worldly wisdom and wisdom "that is from above." Children of God want to please their heavenly Father and will turn from evil with a desire to obey their Lord. There is a sense of trust in the Lord and rejection of trust in one's own plans and possessions as the final authority. Patience will follow times of difficulty because they have learned from their Master "who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross and despised the shame." The writer of this epistle writes of "faith" twelve times, "works" thirteen times and being "doers" five times. The practical application of the book is summed up in this verse - “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” [2:26]
James, the Lord’s half-brother was the writer. He was called “the Just,” even though he was opposed to the Lord during His ministry. He was converted during a private meeting with the Risen Lord [1Cor.15:7] and soon was a recognized leader of the church in Jerusalem [Acts 15:13-21; Gal.2:9]. The book was written by a Jew to Jewish Christians who were just learning what it meant to be a follower of our Lord. The book was written with the character of James: stern, severe, curt, bold, rapid. He used metaphors that made his message clear (1:6,10,17,18,21,23; 5:5). The book was perhaps the first of the epistles written. Paul wrote particularly to the Gentiles with the book of Hebrews being perhaps the exception. It was written before the book of Romans, so the book of James was not written to contradict in any way the teaching in the book of Romans. James was killed by the Jews around AD 62. There are others who were called James in the scripture: 1] James, the son of Zebedee and brother of John. 2] James, the son of Alphaeus.
The purpose of the writing of this letter was to comfort and encourage suffering Jewish Christians who were going through severe trials and temptations. Also, it was written to correct disorder in the early Jewish Christian assemblies and to counteract the tendency to separate faith and works. The proof that I am justified by faith is seen in my works. The presentation of the writing is a very practical presentation of morals and practice. There is not much doctrinal teaching in James but it is rather a book of holy living. James lived what he preached.
An overview of the book of James is the teaching regarding genuine religion, 1:1-27; genuine faith, 2:1-3:1; and genuine wisdom, 3:13-5:20. In persecution we can be tempted to let intellectual agreement pass for true faith. True faith transforms lives. We are to turn faith in to loving actions toward others. Living faith is contrasted to empty faith. Living faith makes a difference in lives. Overcoming trials and temptations produces maturity and character. We should not resent the trials we are called to pass through but rather pray for wisdom as we pass through them. The law of love saves us because of God’s mercy. Showing love overcomes our own selfishness. Wise speech reveals spiritual wisdom. God’s wisdom helps control the tongue and can help control our actions. Your words will convey true humility and lead to peace, especially when we think before we speak. Compromise of truth and righteousness because of wealth is not acceptable. We are accountable for how we use what we have. We must have right attitudes.
A CHAPTER STUDY OF THE BOOK OF JAMES: Chapter 1. Confident Stand. What a Christian has. Chapter 2. Compassionate Service. What a Christian does. Chapter 3. Careful Speech. What a Christian says. Chapter 4. Contrite Submission. What a Christian feels. Chapter 5. Concerned Sharing. What a Christian gives.
TWO BROTHERS He knew there was a difference between them, that much was easy to tell. The rest of the family seemed normal, Jesus "did all things well." It was a cause for resentment, even when Jesus began to preach. The standard of holiness in Jesus, was beyond James ability to reach.
People by the thousands came to hear Jesus; they hung on His every word Those disciples who followed Him closely, were not ashamed to call Him "Lord." How can a brother compete, the bitterness inside him was real; James was a sinner by nature; Jesus could forgive sins and heal.
Then there came that day in Jerusalem, the brother heard about it from afar All that had been obscure before, now to James became very clear He may not have seen Jesus die; but saw Him then after His resurrection - James realized through Him alone was granted God's great salvation.
It doesn't take long when we know Him, to know there is a change inside. There is a desire to serve Him, our gratitude is impossible to hide. We learn, and we take action by faith, in Him who saved us by His grace It is perfectly normal for us now to show new life, when works testify to our faith.
"Father, it must have been a wonderful moment when James and Jesus met together after His resurrection. I know some things between brothers are best kept private, but I expect our Lord Jesus was delighted when James opened up to Him by faith. May I never just say I have faith without showing it by works. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."