James - session 1
This letter from James dealt with an age-old problem; and of course, one that still "pops up" today. The NIV study Bible uses this headline: Words are not enough. You can believe all the right things, yet still be dead wrong.
Who was this James?
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He was not the Apostle James, the brother of John. Scholars believe that he was one of Jesus' family members, possibly a cousin or brother. He is mentioned in the Gospel of Mark 6:3, along with three other family members of Jesus. Much later he was recognized as a pillar of the church in Jerusalem. Paul referred to him in Galatians 2:9 and 2:12.
James purpose in writing this letter to believers, was to enlighten them with practical advice. Sometimes he used harsh judgment for those who needed this. After all, there are those in every generation who have been baptized in the name of Christ, but don't understand how to live in Christ. James seemed to be determined to straighten out those Christians who continued to sin, including those who were not aware they were doing so.
James sounds like Paul when he starts off his letter with this;
James purpose in writing this letter to believers, was to enlighten them with practical advice. Sometimes he used harsh judgment for those who needed this. After all, there are those in every generation who have been baptized in the name of Christ, but don't understand how to live in Christ. James seemed to be determined to straighten out those Christians who continued to sin, including those who were not aware they were doing so.
James sounds like Paul when he starts off his letter with this;
Consider it pure JOY, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds . . . the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
I always like to point out that the persecution of Christians could have disillusioned and discouraged many a believer in those days. These words make us wonder how we would react to persecution. Missionaries face this today in quite a few parts of the world.
Through Paul's letters, we know he would also agree with James, because he lived with JOY under persecution and prison. James emphasized, "Do not only listen to the word [the WORD of God, the Scripture!], and [just] deceive yourselves. Do what it says!" (James 1:23). Read on and see how relevant his directives are, and how much they relate to our lives today.
Martin Luther once said, "You are saved by faith, but if faith is alone, it is not faith." We could add this--that if faith has no outward expression it is void of substance. A favorite verse from James is, "Faith without works is dead". Or as the NIV states this, "What good is it if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?"(2:14).
Through Paul's letters, we know he would also agree with James, because he lived with JOY under persecution and prison. James emphasized, "Do not only listen to the word [the WORD of God, the Scripture!], and [just] deceive yourselves. Do what it says!" (James 1:23). Read on and see how relevant his directives are, and how much they relate to our lives today.
Martin Luther once said, "You are saved by faith, but if faith is alone, it is not faith." We could add this--that if faith has no outward expression it is void of substance. A favorite verse from James is, "Faith without works is dead". Or as the NIV states this, "What good is it if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?"(2:14).
How do we handle the evil influences in our lives?
The tongue is a small part of the body, "but it can corrupt the whole body" (James 3:5-6).
Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. (James 4:7)
James warns against those who hoard their assets and do not pay the wages of those who work for them.
A comforting set of verses can be found in chapter 5:13-16: "If any of you are sick, he should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord . . . the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
Often, as a student of the Bible, I look for the mention of the Holy Spirit. Paul gave us SO much info about the immeasurable help and strength of the Spirit in our daily lives. I noticed that James does not mention the Spirit. This interests me, in that there are some Believers who depend solely on their own ability to turn their back on any evil influence or sin in their lives. I am more like those to whom Paul spoke. I depend on the Spirit of God to guide me and give me courage to do what God would have me do.
God bless!
A comforting set of verses can be found in chapter 5:13-16: "If any of you are sick, he should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord . . . the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
Often, as a student of the Bible, I look for the mention of the Holy Spirit. Paul gave us SO much info about the immeasurable help and strength of the Spirit in our daily lives. I noticed that James does not mention the Spirit. This interests me, in that there are some Believers who depend solely on their own ability to turn their back on any evil influence or sin in their lives. I am more like those to whom Paul spoke. I depend on the Spirit of God to guide me and give me courage to do what God would have me do.
God bless!