Posts: James

James

“Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let that perseverance accomplish is goal of consistency, that you may be consistent and whole, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2 – 4) The faithful look at life differently. Even hard times have a positive side, teaching perseverance through which the faithful become consistent in good times and bad. That consistency makes the faithful whole.

A holistic approach to life requires wisdom to achieve the necessary balance. God promised the faithful access to that wisdom through prayer (James 1:5 – 8). Doubt hinders transformation.

Among the faithful, those of low economic status are to be triumphant and jubilant in their status in the church in which they are equal in every way. The faithful to whom wealth has come should have the same triumph and jubilation in that their wealth will surely pass away but they themselves have something better which does not decay. (James 1:9 – 11) Equality has never been achieved in this world. But in the church, equality is a benchmark.

All through history, people have tried to blame their bad decisions on someone else. Christianity takes a different approach: reality. Temptations are real, but the faithful are granted the ability to overcome themselves and endure. (James 1:12 – 16)

Gifts do not always make things better. They may introduce temptation or become a diversion from a successful life of faith. Gifts from God are characterized not only as good, but also as consistent and real. (James 1:17 – 18) Blithely thanking God for “gifts” that actually are just attractive distractions is dangerous. The same rain may save corn but ruin cut hay.

“Peering intently into the consistent law that is of liberty and continuing not as a forgetful hearer but a doer of that labor, this one will be above the cares of this life in his actions.” (James 1:25) The more we scrutinize the law of the land, the more contradictions and limitations on liberty we find. But God’s ways promote liberty and are developed from consistency so that those who labor in that path find themselves rising above the anxieties, disappointments, frustrations, and illogic of our societies, instead finding joy.

“If anyone thinks he is religious but does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his own heart; this one’s religion is useless.” (James 1:26) Conventional wisdom recommends not discussing religion (or politics) in a group, as such generally ends badly. However, such an attitude prevents reasoned discussion as well. James’ advice does better. The faithful should be able to speak rationally. Those who cannot simply deceive themselves when they suppose that God counts them among the faithful.

“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble.” (James 1:27) Government programs to assist families in which the major breadwinner has died are a sad commentary on our society. The faithful should be handling this voluntarily, not through forcible taxation. Perhaps we must draw the conclusion that the percentage of faithful is too small to handle the responsibility.

“My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.” (James 2:1) This partiality or personal favoritism was, in James’ example, based on financial standing. Monetary success brings better clothing, better education, a more “refined” lifestyle. Unfortunately, the cultural baggage of the faithful included valuing the “haves” over the “have-nots.” Instead, the church should be the one place in society in which everyone is equal.

“So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.” (James 2:12) As evidenced by the common practice of finding loopholes in the law, rules have never been very effective for controlling the behavior of people. The one exception is the church in which all have liberty and are governed by principle, not regulation. The faithful make their decisions not because of authorities or on the basis of rules, but based on the natural outgrowth of godly character.

“Judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:13) Mercy is one step beyond compassion, including an unquenchable desire to fix the problem. Judgment exacts punishment for bad choices. Mercy seeks to fix the root cause that resulted in the bad choice. God has demonstrated mercy in giving the indwelling Spirit to all the faithful, whose task it is to fix those damaged parts of their characters. The faithful learn from God’s example how to do the same for others.

“Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:17) James used “faith” sarcastically to describe a person who claimed to trust God, but showed no results. According to the characteristics of Biblical faith given in the New Testament, the change in the individual resulting from the presence of the indwelling Spirit repairing one’s character should be and must be clearly visible not only to other church folks, but especially to outsiders. This is not a herculean effort by the individual, but a natural outgrowth of the promised transformation.

Do not underestimate the power of words for good or for disaster (James 3:1 – 12). Although all the faithful should become teachers (Hebrews 5:12, 2 Timothy 2:24), rushing it is ill advised. Rather, focus on becoming consistent between beliefs and actions. “Receive the Word implanted” (James 1:21). Teaching will develop from there.

“Where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” (James 3:16 – 17) When a congregation falls apart, the source can be traced to “envy and self-seeking.” This problem has been around since the first century. The cure is not to battle over control or doctrine, but to develop godly character.

Jealousy is worry that someone will take what I have. Envy is desiring what someone else has. At the close of a section describing the competition between worldly and spiritual desires, James 4:5 reveals, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns enviously.” The indwelling Spirit whom God gives the faithful is envious of the part of each of us that clings to the comforts and empty promises of this physical world.

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8 – 10) Fortunately, it’s never more than a short trip. (Romans 10:8, Deuteronomy 30:11 – 14) The key is to recognize the deception of the promises of this world by which enduring happiness cannot be found. Mourning the time and resources we have wasted leads us to coming to God in humility, resulting in Him lifting us up to the satisfaction we had futilely sought.

Speaking evil of fellow faithful is illogical (James 4:11 – 12). The objective is to build up, not tear down. Building faith enables the indwelling Spirit to build character, which in turn solves both doctrine and behavior problems. Unfortunately, many in various churches short-circuit the process and focus on behavior and doctrine directly, which is at best only marginally successful. My opinion of others will carry no weight at Judgment.

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” (James 4:13 – 14) Keeping the Kingdom of God in the foreground of our planning provides much-needed perspective so our lives are not consumed by business.

“Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches are corrupted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days.” (James 5:1 – 3) James’ target audience were early Christians, who were almost all very poor, so the riches were metaphorical, representing whatever assets one holds dear. However, the similarity to Western Christianity is frightening.

“Indeed, the wages of your laborers who mowed your fields, which were kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the Lord of Hosts.” (James 5:4) Since the early Christians were mostly poor, this description is more likely figurative, failing to “pay” those who were harvesting in God’s field. Unfortunately, congregations tend to spend the majority of their disposable income on salaries of local preachers and facilities, rather than on the primary objective, spreading the gospel.

“You have lived on the earth is pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.” (James 5:5) Since the early Christians were largely poor, this indulgent luxury is more likely metaphorical. James compared them to cattle in a feed lot, eating the best meals of their lives just before being slaughtered. The modern Western church fits the description both literally and metaphorically. James calls us to re-examine our priorities.

“You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you.” (James 6:6) Literal murder in the assembly is highly unlikely, so James’ point is metaphorical. Self-serving, legalistic, or irrational teaching murders the spirits of the hearers.

“My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.” (James 5:10) Many of the faithful characters in the Bible, including the prophets, had many physical difficulties in this life. They patiently endured because they had a job to do. James’ point is that Christians should not expect that their lives will go smoothly, but rather be patient in bad times. The faithful have the same bad times as everyone else. The difference is that the faithful can, through the indwelling Spirit, get through it successfully.

“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.” (James 5:13) React to life honestly. Both suffering and cheerfulness are normal. Denying the grief of bad times as well as suppressing the joy of good times are both inconsistent, unrealistic, and unhealthy. Christianity calls people into reality. The faithful can handle the ups and downs of life because they have been promised a life of value and purpose, and have been given the ability to overcome themselves to achieve it.

“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth produced its fruit.” (James 5:17 – 18) The faithful are promised that their prayers will be seriously considered by God. The key is to trust that God will put the request into reality in the way that works best for all, not necessarily in the way I think it should go in my limited view. God has all the facts and, therefore, can make the best modifications.

James 1:2 – 3, “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” Typically, hard times cause people to turn inward and look backward. In contrast, the faithful turn outward and look forward. Affliction is common to all people; what matters is our reaction and subsequent direction. The selfless concern themselves with helping others in distress. Reality is that we must only learn from the past, not let it control us. Only the present exists. Start there are move toward God.

James 1:5 – 7, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave on the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.” The faithful are promised wisdom, giving them a significant advantage over the rest of the world. The method is simple: ask and do not doubt. Then, it just happens.

James 1:9 – 10, “Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation, because as the flower of the field he will pass away.” Glory is a parade of godly character traits. The faithful poor live in their character parade which outsiders observer as remarkable success. The wealthy faithful, even if they are of godly character, are better known for their wealth, so the outside observer fails to perceive their heavenly destination, but only their separation from their comforts at death. The faithful poor have a greater impact on outsiders.

James 1:12, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” Temptation is always founded on self-deception. Framed like the Beatitudes, “Above the cares of life are those who…”, James gives a method for overcoming self; think about trusting God (faith) and doing what is best for Him (loving God). The faithful are deemed acceptable, so will be victorious, both in this life and the next.

James 1:13, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.” Most of what happens on earth is neither caused nor desired by God. God wants people to be selfless, so certainly would find enticing people with self-deception to be counterproductive. Rather, the selflessness poured in the faithful by the indwelling Spirit (Romans 5:5) is the guaranteed antidote.

James 1:17, “Every good gift and every consistent gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” The challenge is determining which are the good and consistent gifts. Our classification system, being heavily weighted toward comfort, likely is not the same as His. The details about His gifts are contained in His promises, which generally have to do with character development.

James 1:22, “Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” The “word” is the philosophy or the logic used by God. Many appreciate its simplicity, consistency, and goodness, but not all of them are moved to action. Some have been taught that a response is not necessary. Others have been taught to feel helpless to attempt developing such strength of character. Others have failed repeatedly and have given up. Separating the theory from the practice is self-deception arising from fear of letting go of self and trusting God.

James 1:26, “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.” In chapter 3, James details the many pitfalls of speech, concluding, “No man can tame the tongue.” (3:8) Therefore, something about our religion can succeed where the best of intentions will fail. In Romans 8, Paul attributes this superhuman control of the tongue to the indwelling Spirit which is given to all the faithful.

James 1:27, “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” Most of the world has developed a blindness to the plight of widows and orphans (and others who live with difficulties every day). The faithful see them and therefore react to their needs. Such clarity also recognizes the enticements of this world for what they are: deception. The two attitudes arise from the same love of reality.

James 2:5, “Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?” The gospel was designed for ordinary people. Wealth, intellect, and physical skills often are stumbling blocks to trusting God because trusting those visible achievements is much easier than trusting the validated promises of an invisible God. The poor, however, can see the promised contentment, hope, peace, character development, and family with fewer obstructions.

James 2:12, “So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.” Liberty is not the right to do as you please, but the right to be responsible for yourself. The faithful speak of their rubric for life, their decision tree, and accept the opposition of those who put their trust in the authorities of this world. The faithful do the right thing at every turn, accepting the consequences from those in power. On the last day, we will be judged by how well we embraced personal accountability to reality.

James 2:13, “Judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” Mercy is a compelling desire to fix the problem. So, the contrast being made is punishment versus correction. God cannot set aside judgment because justice is part of His character. However, God finds no joy in punishing. He shows mercy by developing character in the faithful, and providing the way of escape from temptation. And, He came to earth as Jesus to satisfy justice. Those who show no mercy should not expect to receive any.

James 2:17, “Faith, by itself, if it has no works, is dead.” The paragraph from verse 14 through 26 supplies the context. Asserting to trust the promises of God (faith) but not acting on them belies the claim. People cannot force God to accept them with empty proclamations. Rather, God supplies physical evidence that a proposed faith meets His parameters when overcoming oneself (Romans 8:13) or developing superhuman selflessness (1 John 3:18 – 19, 4:12 – 13) becomes the new normal.

James 3:1, “Let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” Yet, 2 Timothy 2:24 and Hebrews 5:12 declare God’s expectation that all the faithful will become teachers. Putting these together, God requires each faithful person to prepare adequately. God has an expectation that all the faithful will learn that skill, being fully aware of its difficulty and importance. The promises of wisdom, understanding, and discernment allow this humanly impossible task to be achieved.

James 3:8, “No man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” Yet, in the context, James clearly expects all the faithful to conquer the humanly impossible. Certainly, the power of God is required, which He gives only to the faithful. However, the faithful must be absolutely certain that God has promised and will accomplish it. Unfortunately, many have failed in this test of confidence and have settled for the best they can do.

James 3:17, “The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” Moral and ethical purity are the launchpad for wisdom. The wise path always generates peace and gentleness. Wisdom always is willing to discuss, learn, and humbly repair the flaws in one’s own position and that of the opposition.

James 4:3, “You ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, that you may spend on your pleasures.” The context from 3:13 through 4:6 summarizes why congregations have problems; the focus is on creature comforts rather than being transformed into the image of Jesus. The majority of the cash flow of most churches is consumed by buildings and salaries rather than building faith and developing superhuman character through the indwelling Spirit. Discomfort should be expected, not avoided.

James 4:5, “Do you think the Scripture says in vain, ‘The Spirit who dwells in us yearns enviously’?” Envy is wanting what someone else has, whereas jealousy is worry that someone else will take what I have. In this context, the Spirit who dwells in each believer as a down payment recognizes when the world still has control of a piece of that faithful person. The indwelling Spirit wants all of the faithful person, not some fraction. In this context, the enemy is the desire to be comfortable, which distracts the faithful from their task of evangelism.

James 4:10, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.” The context describes the attitudes of appearing successful in the world and seeking the comforts of a prosperous society, which cause the faithful to miss the point. Some have taken this to an extreme in the opposite direction by belittling and denigrating themselves, which is in itself a form of self-promotion. Rather, James says to allow God to do the promoting such that humble and seemingly resourceless people accomplish the humanly impossible.

James 4:11, “Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother speaks evil of the law and judges the law.” Another problem in the church is how the faithful handle differences in their understandings of what God wants. Recognize that both sides sincerely believe they are right. Discuss rationally and listen carefully. Insisting that my way is “right” says that I believe that no error can be found in me. I have become the judge of the very Scriptures I claim to defend. Leave room for personal growth.

James 4:13 – 15, “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit.’ Whereas, you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” God is not against commerce, rather James cautions to include God in all business decisions. In so doing, business perspectives become much more realistic.

James 4:17, “Knowing to do good and not doing it, to him it is sin.” The faithful see the right thing to do and do it. Outsiders get bogged down in political correctness, potential inconvenience, budgeting, and the possibility of opposition. Trusting the promises of God is much simpler than trusting the vagaries of the world.

James 5:4, “The wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you have kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.” Since James was writing to Jewish Christians scattered across the Gentile regions, it is unlikely that faithful landowners routinely defrauded their workers. Rather, I suggest that James meant this as an illustration of failing to support traveling teachers of the gospel. Since the earliest times, faithful people with assets have had great difficulty deciding how to use them in the Kingdom.

James 5:12, “Do not swear either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and ‘No,’ be ‘No,’ lest you fall into judgment.” As an example, the oaths to truthfulness that are a part of our judicial system imply that, without that oath, you might choose to lie. But, if someone would lie without an oath, would that same person not likely lie with an oath? James’ point is to speak the truth all the time, obviating oaths altogether.

James 5:16, “Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The supplication of a righteous man avails much, being made effective.” This practical advice describes one of the ways the faithful overcome themselves: share missteps and sidesteps (the meanings of sin and trespass, respectively) with another faithful person to deflate the power of self-deception. Further, the prayer of the one not similarly tempted not only will be heard, but also will be more likely to be clear and bold, as prayer should be.

James 5:19 – 20, “If anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” Although no external power can force anyone out of God’s family, faithful people still have free will, so may choose to depart. Generally, this happens due to self-deception, when truth is obscured. The faithful, being members of an eternal family, have a responsibility to one another, which includes rescuing those whose thinking took a vacation.