James 1 Study

James 1

“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.” V.1

John MacArthur notes:

Coming to Christ and effect on life.

What are some misconceptions you’ve heard about what non believers say about a life with Christ?

Avoiding setting expectations or outcomes of a life with Christ.

Jesus addresses what we can expect:

“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” Matthew 10:34-39 KJV

The walk with Christ will be hard but the level to which it is depends on our faith.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 KJV

Rest: to cause or permit one to cease from any movement or labour in order to recover and collect his strength

to give rest, refresh, to give one’s self rest, take rest

to keep quiet, of calm and patient expectation

Yoke: a yoke that is put on draught cattle; of troublesome laws imposed on one, esp. of the Mosaic law, hence the name is so transferred to the commands of Christ as to contrast them with the commands of the Pharisees which were a veritable ‘yoke’; yet even Christ’s commands must be submitted to, though easier to be kept

a balance, pair of scales

Burden: phortion- of burdensome rites

of the obligations Christ lays upon his followers, and styles a “burden” by way of the contrast to the precepts of the Pharisees, the observance of which was most oppressive

James or Jacob embraces this as he addresses himself, just as writers of other letters especially Paul, as a slave/servant (doulas). The apostles carry this title proudly knowing its honor, privilege, and outcome.

The balance of these two ideas, that life will be hard but can be dealt with easily which we read within two chapters of each other in Matthew, will be addressed in the book by James. We will be(hopefully) strengthened to recognize the paradox and be able to handle the highs and lows to become stable in our faith.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, v. 2

James is writing to believers going through serious times of persecution and right out of the gate tells them to “Consider it pure or all joy”.

Where the persecution was coming from and problems with Emperor Caligula. S

Count/consider: hēgeomai: in this verse seems to be used in the verb form which means to deem, consider, think trials to be pure or all joy.

-in other times it means to be a ruler: Luke 22:26 “But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.”

-together we should consider/count it all joy with authority as to have full reign over because through Christ “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Matthew 28:18 KJV

-it is not to have full reign over the circumstances or trials to necessarily change their direction or duration but our minds within them: What Brad and I spoke about, live as a river or a car ride.

““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.””

John 16:33 NIV

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

Your mind is never blank. Every day, a steady stream of thoughts flows through your head: some encouraging, some discouraging, some true, some false. The challenge is not whether you will think but what you think about.

For this reason, I believe the KJV uses a better word to translate:

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;” James 1:2 KJV

peirasmos- an internal temptation to sin; the circumstances are a trial of the internal mental state-our faith.

Test v. Trials: if time show the episode from Angel

The tree in the garden:

-Some may say that God tempted Adam and Eve by placing the tree in the garden

Why is the book of job in the Bible? It’s a story about one of the worst trials.

Explanation: greatest man on earth, he not only sacrificed for his sins but even for his children.

Plan, purpose, prescription, and prize of trials

PLAN:

Here in the 2nd verse we see the Plan of trials as we shall face many. God does not create temptations/trials (v. 13-14) but allows them through free will which ultimately accomplishes His goals. (Will circle back to this later in the chapter)

In the book of Job, we see the plan:

Satan goes to God:

“The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.”” Job 1:7 ESV

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” 1 Peter 5:8 KJV

Sober: nēphō- to be sober: sober does not solely mean abstaining from drunkeness but from an altered state of mind which can also be caused by unchecked emotion: marked by temperance, moderation, or seriousness

-“that the aged men be sober, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.” Titus 2:2 KJV

-another word for this state of mind is grave: august “marked by dignity or grandeur”, Honorable

-we must remain sober to discern where trials come from; the video sent out from Josh Howerton

The messengers in Job

*Satan accuses Job that the only reason he is the most faithful is do to his possessions and wealth from God:

“And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.”” Job 1:8-11 ESV

“And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.” Job 1:12 ESV

First it starts with Job’s possessions;

“Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.”” Job 2:4-5 ESV

Now it was his health:

“So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes.” Job 2:7-8 ESV

This is a serious trial for Job. God knows the faith of Job and allows the devil to tempt him to that extreme;

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

God in his sovereignty and omniscience, knowing our faith, allows things to happen which our faith can endure and through which faith grows. This shows the plans God designs for the trials.

7/2

PURPOSE:

#1: because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. V.3

What are the purposes of our trials:

Here shows why we should rejoice: because we “know”-ginōsokō to learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of perceive, feel

-IMPLIED IN THIS KNOWING IS THAT IT IS A PROCESS OF GAINING THE KNOWLEDGE OF, IN THIS CASE, RECOGNIZING THE PURPOSE OF TRIALS.

“God does not test our faith for Him to learn the strength of out faith, He already does.” John MacArthur It’s for us to learn, and as we will later see, as we learn our weaknesses we then know what to ask/pray for.

One purpose of trials: recognizing we are in a trial: where it is from and what its purpose is.

“Testing of your faith produces perseverance”

Perseverance: hypomonē- steadfastnesss, constancy, endurance

in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings

“But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer;” 2 Corinthians 1:6 NASB1995

This word is used to emphasize patience. What is one common expression used in the Old Testament related to patience?

“Wait on the Lord” The word used here for wait is used 49 times in the old testament: 7×7 be complete, in the waiting we are made complete.

WAIT: qāvâ- to wait, look for, hope, expect

“Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.” Psalms 27:14 NASB1995

“Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40:31 NASB1995

“But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.”

Romans 8:25 NASB1995

Eagerly: marked by enthusiastic or impatient desire or interest

How can a word for patience be paired with a word for eagerly?:

Eagerly: Apekdechomai: assiduously and patiently waiting for

Assiduously: showing great care, attention, and effort : marked by careful unremitting attention or persistent application

This reinforces that great care must be given to our patience, it must be protected.

How can this be fostered with persistent application?

In other words; “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV

So what are we to “hope for” which can foster us to “wait for with great care, attention and effort?

Hope: confident expectation; we must pray expecting it to be answered.

“You who answer prayer, to you all people will come.” Psalms 65:2 NIV

“I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.”

Psalms 116:1 NIV

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:6 NIV

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24 NIV

We wait for things with confidence that strengthens us during trials in two parameters, things in this life and in the life to come…

Going back to a verse that is very useful in times of trials:

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

Things in this life:

Answers to our prayers:

1. Prayers during time of trials

Way of escape: ekbasis-

1. An egress, way out, exit

-applied figuratively to the way of escape from Temptation

-One temptation that is common to many believers is to doubt. We will come back to this later in the chapter

During trials on a micro level, in the immediate here and now, we can wait for answers with confident expectation our prayers for discernment, wisdom, or revelation will come to guide us out.

The second way of escape comes from the end, the life to come:

The second definition to for the word: ekbasis is:

2. Issue referring to the end of one’s life

-Hebrew 13:7 refers not only to end of physical life, but the manner in which they closed a well spent life as exhibited by their spirit in dying.

“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”

Hebrews 13:7 NIV

–Remember those who rule over you: We are told to recognize and follow godly leadership in the body of Christ, leadership shown to be legitimate by faithfulness to the word of God and by godly conduct.

i. Paul advised Timothy along the same lines: Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.(1 Timothy 4:16)

b. Whose faith follow: Such leaders should be recognized (remember those) and followed. Just as much as a church needs godly leaders, it also needs godly followers.

c. Considering the outcome of their conduct: Leaders don’t need to be perfect, but they should be able to show with their life that the power of Jesus is real as it impacts and transforms the individual life. That demonstrates a faith that can actually be followed.

This is resembled in Paul, one of the original leaders of our faith, the apostles:

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.” Romans 8:18-23

“but just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.”” 1 Corinthians 2:9

“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 KJV

In the waiting, on a macro level, we endure not just for the immediate result, gaining of wisdom, we know the result of our perseverance and endurance in the faith; eternity.

These two epistles were written very close in time to each other. Romans from Corinth and then a year later he wrote Corinthians from Ephesus. These were from his third ministry journey and right before heading to Jerusalem where he was certain of his fate:

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” Acts 20:22-24 NIV

To resemble this great leader Paul, that’s what we are to seek, the kingdom of God in Christ:

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

I see this as the separation of the flesh and the spirit:

-The flesh is concerned with the things of this world.

-The spirit is concerned with the things of the Kingdom of God.

-These two are in constant conflict with each other but the more we lean into the spirit, the more we can accomplish our calling in Christ.

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” Galatians 5:16-26 NIV

As I write this out, I think why if James was written prior (44-49AD) to Pauls letters (55-56AD), that the canon was compiled not chronologically. James wrote this earlier on to encourage the believers going through persecution at that time. It seems that for here, the canon is purposed so that we are built up in our knowledge of the flesh vs. the spirit by Paul then reminded here by James to continue in it. The strengthening of our spirit over the flesh is what separates us from the desires and cares of this world and increases our desire for the things of God.

Now James goes further into the purpose of gaining perseverance in trials.

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. V. 4

“But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:4 KJV

The second purpose of trials is what perseverance leads to, making us mature and complete: What attributes do we gain that leads to a christian “perfect and entire” while waiting on the Lord?

“Not lacking anything” or “wanting nothing”

““Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:25-34 NIV

Perspective and gratitude:

7/9

Prescription(What do we do in times of trials):

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. v. 5

We went over earlier that one part of wisdom is knowing where trials come from, but what else is wisdom important for?

Wisdom: Sophia- wisdom, broad and full of intelligence; used of the knowledge of very diverse matters

the wisdom which belongs to men

spec. the varied knowledge of things human and divine, acquired by acuteness and experience, and summed up in maxims and proverbs(discernment)

the science and learning

the act of interpreting dreams and always giving the sagest advice(prophesying)

the intelligence evinced in discovering the meaning of some mysterious number or vision

skill in the management of affairs

devout and proper prudence in intercourse with men not disciples of Christ, skill and discretion in imparting Christian truth(evangelism)

the knowledge and practice of the requisites for godly and upright living(teaching)

supreme intelligence, such as belongs to God

to Christ

the wisdom of God as evinced in forming and executing counsels in the formation and government of the world and the scriptures

[Pro 1:7 KJV] 7 The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of knowledge: [but] fools despise wisdom and instruction.

[Pro 2:6 KJV] 6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth [cometh] knowledge and understanding.

[Pro 3:13 KJV] 13 Happy [is] the man [that] findeth wisdom, and the man [that] getteth understanding.

“so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.”

1 Corinthians 2:5 NIV

Paul did not preach to the Corinthians in a way that focused to make sense to them but solely to point them to the God’s power. That redemption and salvation comes through Him and not within our ability.

This verse removes that definition: the science and learning. We must remove our “wisdom” acquired from the world and think “outside the box” or believe outside it to God in times of trials and know:

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:9 KJV

We also see in this definition that wisdom is for many gifts in the body of Christ, now if we see a lack we must ask for its increase:

“let him ask of God”, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5 KJV

Let: aiteō- doesn’t mean to simply ask but “to ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require”

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”

Matthew 7:7-8 KJV

“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”

Mark 11:24 KJV

This word is also commonly used in Gospels for two situations:

When Jesus was to be chosen over Barabbas for crucifixion:

“And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.”

Luke 23:25 KJV

The second is when Joseph of Armiathaea goes to Pilate for Jesus’ body:

“he went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.” Matthew 27:58 KJV

“Joseph of Arimathæa, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.” Mark 15:43 KJV

This word is a strong emotion when there is a need. Some had the need to get rid of Christ others to receive Him. We should have strong and persistent desire to receive more of God and His wisdom.

James shows His confidence in Gods answers to our prayers for more of Him. He believes the words Jesus spoke in Matthew and Mark that God will answer our prayers. Why would God not answer such a request?

When we look back to the Old Testament, remember the story Solomon and when he asks God for wisdom.

“The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.” 1 Kings 3:10-13 NIV

God was so pleased with Solomon that he asked for wisdom/discernment to govern God’s people that He gave Solomon more wisdom than anymore and all other things his heart could desire.

So we now must crave wisdom, as Solomon did, with confidence that our Father will provide it. To help strengthen our confidence James reaffirms the teachings of Jesus.

[Pro 8:11 KJV] 11 For wisdom [is] better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

“who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

God, our father, will give generously: haplōs- simply, openly, frankly, sincerely

Generously and liberally are synonyms for openly: definitions of openly include:

-not restricted to a particular group or category of participants

God gives to all or anyone who asks “without finding fault” oneidizō- on-i-did’-zo; of deserved or undeserved reproach or disapproval

It does not depend on our righteous or unrighteous actions, regardless God still gives wisdom to all who ask. It is by Gods grace He gives us wisdom.

-That is our confidence is that the gaining of wisdom does not come by our actions or withheld due to our faults but by the grace of a loving Father.

Again, why would God not want to grant such a request, Jesus explains this further in His Sermon on the mount in Matthew 7:

“Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” Matthew 7:9-11 KJV

But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. V. 6

Again here the word for “when you ask” is aiteō.

Here we see two requirements that go hand in hand, to which we must have in order to receive the gift of wisdom. We must again crave wisdom and also now have faith of God’s provision.

Throughout the Gospels we see what healed all those people of their ailments, it came through Christ but was granted through their faith, even as small as it might have been.

Why would doubt be something that blocks our receiving of wisdom?

First, Lets start what doubt is;

The analogy James uses here for someone who does not believe is “because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind” I believe James references this story because of the lessons learned about faith and its counterpart doubt through it. Explained here by Guzik

He walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink: This is a wonderful picture of walking in faith, showing that Peter was able to do the miraculous as long as he looked to Jesus. When he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was troubled by fear and began to sink.

i. “Peter walked on the water but feared the wind: such is human nature, often achieving great things, and at fault in little things.” (Bruce)

c. Beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me”: Even when Peter failed, Jesus was there to save him. Peter knew who to call out to at the moment of crisis. Jesus then brought Peter back to the boat.

i. “What a sight! Jesus and Peter, hand in hand, walking upon the sea!” (Spurgeon)

d. O you of little faith: Once Jesus rescued Peter, He spoke to Peter about his little faith. This little faith led to the doubt and distraction that made Peter sink under the wind and the waves.

i. “It was not the violence of the winds, nor the raging of the waves, which endangered his life, but his littleness of faith.” (Clarke)

ii. “THERE is only one word in the original for the phrase, ‘O thou of little faith.’ The Lord Jesus virtually addresses Peter by the name of ‘Little-faith,’ in one word.” (Spurgeon)

iii. Peter here shows us the weakness of little faith.

Little faith is often found in places where we might expect great faith.

Little faith is far too eager for signs.

Little faith is apt to have too high an opinion of its own power.

Little faith is too much affected by it surroundings.

Little faith is too quick to exaggerate the peril.

Little faith struggles to come to Jesus.

iv. Yet Peter also shows us some of the strengths of little faith.

Little faith is true faith.

Little faith will obey the word of Jesus.

Little faith will accomplish great things for a time.

Little faith will pray when it is in trouble.

Little faith is safe, because Jesus is near.

v. “You do believe, and if you believe, why doubt? If faith, why little faith? If you doubt, why believe? And if you believe, why doubt?” (Spurgeon)

e. Why did you doubt: Jesus only asked this question once Peter was rescued. Yet at that point it was an entirely reasonable question to ask. Why did Peter doubt?

i. “Doubt is literally ‘be divided in two’; true faith is single-mindedly focused on Jesus.” (France)

ii. “If you believe a thing you want evidence, and before you doubt a thing you ought to have evidence too. To believe without evidence is to be credulous(ready to believe especially on slight or uncertain evidence), and to doubt without evidence is to be foolish. We should have ground for our doubts as well as a basis for our faith.” (Spurgeon)

iii. We can say that in theory, there might be reasons for doubting Jesus and His promises.

If on former occasions, you have found God unfaithful to His promise. (Our perception of prayers not answered our way)

If some old follower of Jesus has solemnly told you that God cannot be trusted. (Good luck to this guy)

If your problem is a new one and so extremely difficult that it is certain that God cannot help you.(our problem is greater than God’s power so how could He provide wisdom for it?)

If God has abolished His promises, and made them no longer valid.

If God has changed.

iv. “Our doubts are unreasonable: ‘Wherefore didst though doubt?’ If there be reason for little faith, there is evidently reason for great confidence. If it be right to trust Jesus at all, why not trust him altogether?” (Spurgeon)

v. It is useful for us to confront our doubts.

Was there good reason for your doubt?

Was there any good excuse for it?

Did any good come from your doubt?

“O taste and see that the LORD is good: Blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Psalm 34:8 KJV

That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. v. 7-8

If one doubts God’s power in giving us His wisdom, where then must they expect to receive it from?

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”Matthew 7:24-27 NIV

Jesus makes this statement at the end of His sermon on the Mount. All that He taught about Christian living, including the power of prayer and God’s willingness to give, if these are not put into practice all will be washed away.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Psalms 46:1 NIV

The sand represents our own ability to live this life. If one doubts God’s ability then their trust rests in their own. Their mind is closed off to what God wants to show them and is unable to receive due to it.

What then must be the posture of our hearts to receive the wisdom of God to strengthen us against inclination to sin during times of temptation(ie storms)?

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

Humility: Humility must be the posture of our heart to receive what God has for us. The opposite is pride. Pride in ourselves to have the answers. Christ told Paul that through humility his power is made perfect: teleō

to perform, execute, complete, fulfil, (so that the thing done corresponds to what has been said, the order, command etc.)

This word is part of my favorite saying of Jesus: “It is finished” Tetelestai; Christ’s final words on the cross meaning our debt has been paid in full. Doubt in that and one cannot be saved for it is by His work on the cross alone which is our salvation.

But as it is concerned to doubt in God’s provision for wisdom, His wisdom is perfect but as said in : 1 Corinthians 1:20 NIV

“Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?”

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.””

John 16:33 NIV

It is by the wisdom of God through Christ that we can overcome our worldly temptations.

Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. v. 9-11

Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation: As much as it is appropriate for the lowly to rejoice when they are lifted up by God, so it is appropriate (but far more difficult) for the high (the rich) to rejoice when they are brought to humiliation by trials.

i. “As the poor brother forgets all his earthly poverty, so the rich brother forgets all his earthly riches. By faith in Christ the two are equals.” (Hiebert, citing Lenski)

ii. Though we can understand the relative poverty and riches as trials or tests of a living faith that a Christian may deal with, it nonetheless seems that James has made a sudden shift in his subject, from trials and wisdom to riches and humility. In some ways, the Book of James is like the Book of Proverbs or other Old Testament wisdom literature, and it can jump from topic to topic and back again to a previous topic.

b. Because as a flower of the field he will pass away: Trials serve to remind the rich and the high that though they are comfortable in this life, it is still only this life, which fades as the grass grows brown and the flowers fade away.

i. In the land of Israel there are many kinds of beautiful flowers that spring to life when the rains come, but they last for only a short time before withering away. On the scale of eternity, this is how quickly the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.

ii. The riches of this world will certainly fade away — but James says that the rich man also will fade away. If we put our life and our identity into things that fade away, we will fade away also. How much better to put our life and our identity into things that will never fade! If a man is only rich in this world, when he dies, he leaves his riches. But if a man is rich before God, when he dies, he goes to his riches.

Great CS Lewis quote. “Christ is either Lord of all, or He is not Lord at all. The one thing He cannot be is moderately important.”

7/16

Prize:

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. v. 12

a crown

a mark of royal or (in general) exalted rank

the wreath or garland which was given as a prize to victors in public games

metaph. the eternal blessedness which will be given as a prize to the genuine servants of God and Christ: the crown (wreath) which is the reward of the righteousness

The crown of life is for here and the life to come.

“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8 NIV

So Paul was already being poured out. His head was not on the executioner’s block yet, but his heart was there. He was ready to make the ultimate sacrifice. “He considers himself as on the eve of being sacrificed, and looks upon his blood as the libation which was poured on the sacrificial offering. He could not have spoken thus positively had not the sentence of death been already passed upon him.” (Clarke)

b. The time of my departure is at hand: Paul felt that he was in the airport and his flight to heaven was ready to depart. He waited for his boarding call.

Paul is confident that his reward, his crown of righteousness, is waiting for him in heaven when he is looking down the barrel of execution.

He has three accomplishments that gives him the confidence: He fought, finished, and kept. This is how we persevere. We don’t just “rope a dope” like Ali and take hits we fight back against the schemes of the devil with scripture.

We don’t just fight the forces of evil but also contend, like in a race, for the faith as said by Jude:

“Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.” Jude 1:3 NIV

And he kept the faith, here Paul was at the end. I’m sure looking back there were things he could think he should’ve done or could’ve done better but seems he is at peace with what was done. The three accomplishments are not separated by an “and”. They are three in one. Paul made it to the end and still has his faith even with knowing his death is coming, he knows his reward is in heaven. That’s the true sign of keeping faith.

As we learned earlier, we are to imitate our predecessors in keeping the faith;

“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” Galatians 6:9

“Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay. But My righteous one shall live by faith; And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.” Hebrews 10:35-39

Following Christ gives us the reward of abundant life as we submit to Him, who gives us the strength to overcome trials. So not only does Christ give us the strength and wisdom to overcome trials but then credits it to us as righteousness and rewards us.

This is why I believe in Revelation, as a sign of humility and true understanding that the only one worthy of praise is Christ, the elders toss their crowns to Jesus’ feet

“the four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:10-11 KJV

From the root to the fruit.

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. V. 13-14

James here says that we shouldn’t say “God is tempting me” because it is not true. What could be some effects if one was to think this way?

Would it make God to be a liar?

Disregard God’s love- wouldn’t temp someone He loves

Let’s go back to the story of Job. God allowed Satan to take away everything of Job’s including His children. Now, we know that Job was the object of the actions of Satan by them being a temptation to curse God and lose his faith.

a. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”: Temptation does not come from God. Though He allows it, He Himself does not entice us to evil, though God may test our faith without a solicitation to evil (nor does He Himself tempt anyone).

i. James knew that most people have an evil tendency to blame God when they find themselves in trials. Yet by His very nature, God is unable to either be tempted (in the sense we are tempted, as James will explain), nor does He Himself tempt anyone.

ii. “He shows the great cause of sin; that lust hath a greater hand in it than either the devil or his instruments, who cannot make us sin without ourselves: they sometimes tempt, and do not prevail.” (Poole)

iii. God sometimes allows great tests to come to His people, even some who might be thought of as His favorites. We think of the hard command He gave to Abraham (Genesis 22:1), and the affliction He allowed to come to Job (Job 1-2). Other times He may send tests as a form of judgment upon those who have rejected Him, such as sending a spirit to bring deception (1 Kings 22:19-23) or departing from a man and refusing to answer him (1 Samuel 28:15-16). Yet in no case does God entice a person to evil.

iv. “Satan tempts: God tries. But the same trial may be both a temptation and a trial; and it may be a trial from God’s side, and a temptation from Satan’s side, just as Job suffered from Satan, and it was a temptation; but he also suffered from God through Satan, and so it was a trial to him.” (Spurgeon)

b. Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed: God doesn’t tempt us. Instead, temptation comes when we are drawn away by our own fleshly desires and enticed — with the world and the devil providing the enticement.

i. Drawn away: “It is either a metaphor taken from a fish enticed by a bait, and drawn after it, or rather from a harlot drawing a young man out of the right way, and alluring him with the bait of pleasure to commit folly with her.” (Poole)

ii. Satan certainly tempts us, but the only reason temptation has a hook in us is because of our own fallen nature, which corrupts our God-given desires. We often give Satan too much credit for his tempting powers and fail to recognize that we are drawn away by our own desires. Some people practically beg Satan to tempt them.

Root of temptation: This goes back to earlier in the chapter when we learned about the three sources of temptation. James here chooses the flesh as our source of temptation.

Write down: What desire comes to mind first when you think of what your flesh wants?

Later in James he will give us one tool in avoiding being drawn away:

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 NIV

When it comes to sexual immorality temptation we must take it one step further:

“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18 NIV

Sexual immorality is probably the most common temptation men have. We should not just be firm and resist but turn and flee. It shows here that it is a special type of sin in that it is a sin against their own body.

[1Co 6:15-20 NIV] 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” 17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit. 18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Apologetics?

If “God cannot be tempted” what about:

1. Hebrews 4:15

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

2. Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness

Discussion of impeccability (he could not have sinned) vs. peccability (he could have sinned)

Impeccabilists say in human nature but not in his divine person. That even tho his human nature can be template, He would not be able to sin due to His divine nature

Peccable means

If Christ could no have sinned, then the temptations were meaningless and makes Hebrews 4:15 untrue.

He was tested with attacks that were catered for Him. Turning stones to bread, jumping off a high place, or offering whole kingdoms to.

An undefeatable army can still be challenged

Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. v. 15

This verse has an imagery of the life cycle. We have conception; when the thought is implanted(seed is planted), development or life; the thought becoming manifest( fertile soil allows it to grow), and then death; the result(the fruit of the plant).

“They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, And their belly prepareth deceit.” Job 15:35 KJV

“Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, And hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.” Psalm 7:14 KJV

One example in the bible that matches this well is found in Acts chapter 5:

“But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.”

Acts 5:1-6 KJV

This is to me a very scary verse. These two didn’t just sin tho. They knowingly grieved the Holy Spirit by attempting to deceive the Apostles and even more damning the Holy Spirit himself.

a. But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession: After they saw the great generosity of Barnabas and how well he was respected (Acts 4:36-37), Ananias and Sapphira decided they wanted to receive the same respect. (Envy and pride was conceived)

b. He kept back part of the proceeds: They sold the possession, and gave only a portion to the church, while implying that they sacrificially gave it all to the church.(brought forth deceit and pride)

i. The ancient Greek word for kept back is nosphizomai, which means “to misappropriate.” The same word was used of Achan’s theft in the Greek translation of the Old Testament (Joshua 7:21). The only other time nosphizomai is used in the New Testament, it means to steal (Titus 2:10).

ii. “The story of Ananias is to the Book of Acts what the story of Achan is to the book of Joshua. In both narratives an act of deceit interrupts the victorious progress of the people of God.” (Bruce) Achan kept pillage from Jericho which led to Israels defeat in AI.

c. His wife also being aware of it: Clearly, both husband and wife were partners in the deception. They both wanted the image of great generosity, without actually being remarkably generous.

i. “There may indeed be the further implication that Ananias and Sapphira had vowed to give the whole proceeds of the sale to God, but then changed their mind and handed over only part.” (Bruce)

iii. According to Calvin, these are the “evils packed under” the sin of Ananias, beyond the mere attempt to deceive God and the church:

The contempt of God.

Sacrilegious defrauding.

Perverse vanity and ambition.

Lack of faith.

The corrupting of a good and holy order.

Hypocrisy.

2. (Acts 5:3-4) Peter confronts Ananias.

a. Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart: God apparently gave Peter supernatural knowledge of what Ananias had done. This spiritual gift, called the word of knowledge, is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:8.

i. When Peter said this, Ananias must have been crushed. Certainly he expected praise for his spectacular gift, but was rebuked instead. Peter saw that Satan was at work, even through a man numbered among believers like Ananias.

ii. Because his sin was lusting after public praise for his generosity, it was appropriate that the sin be exposed publicly. “It is a good general rule that secret sins should be dealt with secretly, private sins privately, and only public sins publicly.” (Stott)

b. Why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit: Peter did not accuse Ananias of lying to the church or to the apostles, but to the Holy Spirit Himself.

c. While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control?Peter freely acknowledged that the land and its value belonged to Ananias alone; he was completely free to do with it what he wanted. His crime was not in withholding the money, but in deceptively implying that he gave it all.

i. Of course, his sin was greed (in keeping the money); but his greater sin was pride, in wanting everyone to consider him so spiritual that he “gave it all” — when he had not.

ii. Their sin is imitated in many ways today. We can create or allow the impression that we are people of Bible reading or prayer when we are not. We can create or allow the impression that we have it all together when we do not. We can exaggerate our spiritual accomplishments or effectiveness to appear something we are not. It is too easy to be happy with the image of spirituality without the reality of spiritual life.

d. While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control?This shows how unnecessary their sin was. Ananias was free to use the money for whatever he wanted, except as a way to inflate his spiritual image and pride.

e. Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? Satan had filled the heart of Ananias, yet Peter could ask why he had conceived this thing in your heart. Satan can influence the life of a believer, even a spirit-filled believer, but he can’t do your sinning for you. Ananias had to conceive it in his heart.

3. (Acts 5:5-6) The death of Ananias.

Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.

a. Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last: Peter did not pronounce a death sentence on Ananias. He simply confronted him with his sin and Ananias fell down dead. It isn’t the business of the church to pronounce a death sentence on anyone.

i. Peter was probably more surprised than anyone else when Ananias fell down dead. “Observe that Peter said no word to Ananias about his death. The sentence was not calling down upon a man of a curse at the caprice of an ecclesiastical official. The death of Ananias was the act of God.” (Morgan).

b. Fell down and breathed his last: This was a harsh penalty for a sin that seems to be common today. Some wonder if God was not excessively harsh against Ananias.

i. The greater wonder is that God delays His righteous judgment in virtually all other cases. Ananias received exactly what he deserved; he simply could not live in the atmosphere of purity that marked the church at that time.

ii. The physical means for the death of Ananias was perhaps a heart attack caused by sudden shock or terror. He lived in a time and among a people who really believed there was a God in heaven we must all answer to. It frightened him to have his sin exposed and to know he was accountable before God for it. He didn’t yawn or debate when confronted with his sin; he fell down and breathed his last.

iii. What Ananias did also must be seen in the context of its time. This was a critical juncture for the early church and such impurity, sin, scandal and satanic infiltration could have corrupted the entire church at its root. “The Church has never been harmed or hindered by opposition from without; it has been perpetually harmed and hindered by perils from within.” (Morgan)

iv. We can surmise that one reason we don’t see the same remarkable judgment of God in this way today is because God’s church has so many branches. Even if the entire body of Christ in the United States was to become corrupt through scandal or sin, there is plenty of strength in other parts of the tree.

v. “The Church’s administration to-day is not what it was, or there might be many dead men and women at the end of some services.” (Morgan)

c. Fell down and breathed his last: The shock of being exposed was too much for Ananias. For many Christians in compromise, their greatest fear is not in sinning itself, but in being found out.

i. As much as anything, the lesson of Ananias and Sapphira is that we presume greatly on God when we assume that there is always time to repent, time to get right with God, time to get honest with Him. Any such time given by God is an undeserved gift that He owes no one; we should never assume it will always be there.

ii. “We must not infer from the rarity of such judgments in this word, or from their solitariness, that God’s mind has changed as to the exceeding sinfulness and hatefulness and ill desert of the sin he has thus rebuked. The solitary example must stand as a lasting and terrible monument of what God thinks of that sin.” (Pierson)

Not to give excuse for these two or a hope for even when one is dealt harshly with for sin but I believe even tho they died for their sin, they were still saved. God removed them as an example to the church as to the result of sin and also that they do not have the chance to corrupt the church further. An example of this comes in 1 Corinthians:

“to deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” 1 Corinthians 5:5 KJV

d. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things: God’s purpose was accomplished in the church as a whole. This was evidence of a great work of God among His people.

i. Dr. J. Edwin Orr’s last sermon was titled Revival is Like Judgment Day. In it, he describes how the coming of revival is almost always marked by a radical work of God in dealing with the sins of believers.

ii. “Now, put this in a modern context. If this had happened today, we would have had a cover-up committee. Don’t let it get out to the public. You can take heart, this may be a surprise to you, when God exposes things… one of the outcomes was that when God was vindicated, the work gained strength again.” (Orr)

To bring this full circle, we must not allow sin to fully conceive. This is avoided by not allowing our spiritual life become fertile soil to which a planted seed of sin can grow.

“Then he told them many things in parables, saying: ….But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.””

Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23 NIV

How to cultivate fertile soil and even maintain it during times of trials?

7/23

Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. V.16

The interpretation of this verse can change depending on where its focus is. The KJV does not separate this verse into a new paragraph which makes it a follow up to the previous statements. David Guzik interprets this verse in that focus.

Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren: Satan’s great strategy in temptation is to convince us that the pursuit of our corrupt desires will somehow produce life and goodness for us. If we remember that Satan only comes to steal, and to kill, and to destroy (John 10:10), then we can more effectively resist the deceptions of temptation.

However, the NIV does separate this verse into a new paragraph with the following two verses:

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. v. 16-18

This gives verse 16 a different perspective interpreted in this way:

James bridges his conversation with a simple exhortation to not be deceived. In our conversations we might say something like, “Wake up!” A major emphasis of James is to be truth-telling and truth-living rather than being misled by falsehood. James is making clear that there is fork in the road of life. On the one hand, we can choose the path of wisdom, which is to choose a perspective that views circumstances as opportunities to grow our faith, and therefore to rejoice in them. Taking this road leads to a consequence that is life. On the other hand, we can choose the path of sin, and choose a perspective that fulfilling our own lust is in our best interest. This leads to a consequence of sin, and the result of sin is death.

Of course our flesh does not promise us death. Rather it deceives, and promises us life. Which is why James exhorts Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.The flesh will tell us “Give in to these pleasures, that is the true reward of life.” But that is a lie. The true consequence of following sin, and the flesh, is nothing other than death (James 1:15).

The truth is that Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above.Nothing the lust of our flesh can offer us is a good thing. Nothing the lust of the flesh can offer us is a perfect gift.Nothing the flesh or world can offer can compare with the good things that are coming down from the Father of lights. These good things are always the same. They do not vary with times or seasons, because with God there is no variation or shifting shadow. God is always the same (Hebrews 13:8).

In particular, by addressing the letter’s recipients here as beloved brethren,James is reemphasizing that this truth is for brethren, fellow believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. These fellow believers are also described as ‘beloved,’ which emphasizes God’s love for each of His children.

All that James has instructed up to this point means that we can be confident in these matters because of the nature of God. This includes the priority of seeing suffering as a reason to rejoice (because it is an opportunity for spiritual growth), choosing humility in one’s earthly situation, and the importance of avoiding sin. James exhorts Do not be deceived, but instead believe the truth concerning the Father of lights. It is this unchanging Father who is the source of every good thing given and every perfect gift.

By saying every perfect gift, James makes clear that God, and only God, can give a gift that truly fulfills our deepest longings. The word translated perfect is “teleios” which has the idea of fulfillment, completion or the end of an era. In this context, it fits to consider “teleios” as a completely fulfilling gift, since the overall topic in Chapter 1 deals with what perspective to choose in life about what is truly beneficial.

God is described by James as the giver of all good things. Good things from the Father are framed as coming from above (heaven, the residence of God) then coming down to the earth (the residence of living humans). By implication, the good that the Father gives emanates from His very nature. Connecting to the local context, these good gifts must include the good conclusions that stem from the growth we can gain through trials. This growth is what results in the greatest rewards of life (James 1:12). Further, these goodgifts must also be intertwined with deepening humility and denying temptation, both of which are character traits developed through circumstantial challenges (James 1:9-12).

James also describes God as the Father of lights, which underscores a separation of good and evil. Paul affirms this picture when recounting his own commission from the Lord’s words to him on the road to Damascus,

“…to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.'”
(Acts 26:18)

The picture of the Father of lights is expanded to highlight His purity by contrasting it with shadows. While these shadows may be a reference to a solar eclipse or the movement of the sun around the earth, the basic picture is that shadows tend to move as the source of light moves. In God’s case, He is a complete and unwavering source of light that creates no movement of shadows. In this sense, He is the source of truth and all that is good in a complete, pure, and unshifting influence.

Since this is the case with God, James takes his point to a glorious height by bringing it to the salvation of all who believe. In contrast with the birth of sin and of death (James 1:15), the Father brings us forth as His own children, not by any other means in Himself or in those who believe, but by His own will. James says this is delivered by the word of truth, which underscores the simple nature of the gospel. We hear the truth of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection to remedy our sin problem, and then we believe. In this way we are born into His family, or as described elsewhere, we are adopted as His children (Ephesians 15).

James asserts that In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth. Just as creation was brought forth by God’s word, so we as new creations in Christ are brought forth by the word of truth (Genesis 1:3,6,9,11,14). Having been born in truth, it makes sense for us to live in reality, which is to choose humility. Jesus is the Word of God, and it is by His power that we have been made new creations.

James asserts that God purposed to give us a new birth so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.The first fruits were the first of the crops of a new harvest. As fresh produce after a long winter, these first fruits would be especially precious. The Old Testament prescribes a feast of First Fruits (Exodus 23:16). Israel was told to bring of their first fruits as an offering to the Lord (Exodus 23:19). Jesus is called the first fruits of those who will be resurrected (1 Corinthians 15:20). Just as the first fruits of the harvest is the first of many, so Jesus is the first of many who will be resurrected, as resurrection is a promise to all who believe (1 Corinthians 15:16, 23).

In this usage of first fruits, James assigns this designation to his readers, who are believers in the first century. With this, James expresses the expectation that there will be many more in the future who will also believe in Jesus, and become His children, brought forth by the word of truth. Now James can begin to emphasize the next step for the beloved brethren, to hear truth, believe it, and act accordingly.

Of course both interpretations are valid and this shows that the word of God is living and active in that it can have multiple applications inside each verse. This depends on how it is read and influenced by where we are during the time that we read it.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 NIV

Now, interpretations are not endless and some can be misleading when used out of context, we must be diligent in our studies to discern when this might be the case.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

In the NIV this is translated as:

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 NIV

KJV translation reads as to promote studying the scripture while the NIV seems to encourage Godly action while carries correctly the scriptures.

Ephesians reinforces the idea for discernment of the scriptures:

“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.” Ephesians 4:14 NIV

As we can see, the imagery again here is used of a storm and being tossed around, as used earlier in James. By leaving oneself open to deceit or endless interpretations of scripture, we become vulnerable when times we need strength furthering our struggle in storms.

Sidenote:

“Don’t love your job, job your love”

“Die trying, try dying”

“Follow your heart, desire to be followed”

Hearers and Doers

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. v. 19-20

This is important for evangelism, James is focusing on using this skill when learning Christian behavior and how to build relationships:

First: “quick to listen”

Quick: tachys- quick, fleet, speedy

“Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.”

Matthew 5:25 KJV

Used here it seems to be first, immediate.

Listen to them. The word used in the KJV is hear. Have you ever heard someone say “you’re listening but do you hear me?”

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”

Revelation 2:29 KJV

The word used here is: akouō- to attend to, consider what is or has been said, to comprehend.

-its not just hearing what is being said but going one step further and understanding, not just glancing over but taking it in.

If what is being heard is then being comprehended, one wouldn’t be able to respond quickly, next we are to be : “slow to speak”

Bradys: slow, metaphorically: dull, inactive, in mind, stupid, slow to apprehend or believe

“We should be stupid to speak” we will learn in a few verses that we shouldn’t speak stupidly so it just means slow, cautious to speak foolishly(as without knowing God) . Listening and understanding takes time, being to quick to respond usually means you aren’t thinking about what is being said but instead thinking about what you can say. Can anyone learn from others more interested in what they can say instead of taking in what is being said?

I am guilty of this, some times I get puffed up and trying to find what may being said that is wrong in a teaching. I call it discernment but I am sure I’m missing more of what could be learned constantly analyzing what is being said.

To apply this to our walk and building relationships;

If we speak before fully understanding what can occur?

-false assumption

-won’t fully perceive what is being said

I’ve heard this lesson and try to apply it, its done very commonly in conversation; just like the “me and” pet peeve I have.

-Someone will be telling a story and instead of the hearer asking follow up questions, they tell a matching story. Usually its a one upper. That shuts down any understanding of that persons side or possibly why they told the story. The incident may have had an impact on them or something that was bothering them.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 NIV

Being slow to speak gives time to think about our intentions in conversation. Just as with our actions, in conversation giving time and allowing the Holy Spirit to direct our speech will avoid pitfalls or improper speech.

James then points out one way of reply that should be avoided at all costs, human anger.

Can anyone recall the last time they felt anger in a conversation and either acted prematurely on it and the outcome, or restrained themselves and understood why?

We have spoke about this before in class. The difference between righteous indignation and human anger. Jesus never displayed human anger, not at the pharisees while criticizing or condemning them for their actions (justly so), nor while He hung on the cross and looked upon those who begged for Him to be there(Father forgive them for they know not what they do). Jesus only showed righteous indignation for when His Fathers house was desecrated.

7/30

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. V. 21

Therefore: we must question what the “Therefore” is there for: In this instance, those actions either produce:

Moral filth: rhyparia (hroo-par-eé-ah) to make filthy, befoul, to defile, dishonor

“idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:20-21 NIV

This seems to be actions that defile ourselves and our character.

Evil: Nakia (kak-eé-ah)wickedness that is not ashamed to break laws

“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”Colossians 3:8 NIV

These actions are in relation to how we treat others

“and receive with meekness(humbly accept) the engrafted word”

Meek: enduring harm or injury with patience and without resentment:

ONLY NIV CHANGES THIS PART OF THE VERSE:

which is able to save your souls.” James 1:21 KJV

psychē: the soul

the seat of the feelings, desires, affections, aversions (our heart, soul etc.)

the (human) soul in so far as it is constituted that by the right use of the aids offered it by God it can attain its highest end and secure eternal blessedness, the soul regarded as a moral being designed for everlasting life

the soul as an essence which differs from the body and is not dissolved by death (distinguished from other parts of the body)

“hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 5:5 NIV

Pneuma:

a spirit, i.e. a simple essence, devoid of all or at least all grosser matter, and possessed of the power of knowing, desiring, deciding, and acting

a life giving spirit

a human soul that has left the body

Soul (psychē)

Spirit (pneuma)

Mind, emotions, will, personality

Capacity to know and commune with God

Self-consciousness

God-consciousness

Seat of thoughts and desires

The part made alive by the Holy Spirit in regeneration

Related to human life

Related to spiritual life

James is talking to “brothers and sisters” believers, and if they are then they have been saved by faith in Christ (we will be getting into this more in the next chapter). Then how can James be saying here that the “the word planted in you is the source of salvation”. I believe James is saying that it can save us from or through trials.

What does the engrafted word say on how to “save our souls”:

For the sins of moral filth:

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:8-9 NIV

Even James will talk about how in chapter 5:

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

For the sins of evil, treatment of others:

“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:9 NIV

Search “do not repay” in Holy Bible app to see all verses.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. V. 22-24

Are we or are we not Christians?

Christians: little Christs. Through regeneration we are now made in the image of Christ. Therefore we must be changed and continue to grow in that image. Just as when we were born and continued to grow in sin until the day of salvation and Christ changed our course.

If then we have been changed, we should be following the word and do what it says otherwise we would be deceiving ourselves of who we are. While we physically see who we are, by looking into the word and at that time believing what it says about who we are in Christ, but then going back into the world(matrix) our appearance changes. (How the matrix changed the way Neo looked in the 4th Matrix)

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. V. 25

Intently: to look with curiosity, image of not just looking but bending over to look(NOT JUST READING BUT STUDYING, DIGESTING, AND PUTTING INTO PRACTICE)

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” 2 Corinthians 13:5 NIV

Examine ourselves: look at our lives, our desires, our motives: Do they reflect a life that resembles Christ?

Otherwise, we won’t be blessed. Just as James said earlier: “For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.”

If the intentions of our actions are not pure, motivated by God and to bring Him glory then the outcome is not blessed by God.

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. v. 26

Here James again brings up deception. An action that changes appearance:

Religious: thrēskos (thrace’-kos) fearing or worshipping God

If we consider our selves someone who fears God, we will be cognizant of our words. We must have a:

“Tight rein on our tongue”

Rein like a bridle which directs and guides. Our fear of God will be that which directs our speech.

Power of the tongue

“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18 NIV

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Proverbs 15:1 NIV

“The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4 NIV

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21 NIV

God created all there is with words. Being made in the image and likeness our words too have great power.

“The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” James 3:6 NIV

So what should our speech be like:

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:6 NIV

James focuses in on this in the third chapter. The importance of our speech cannot be overstated. With a few words we can set on fire our testimony and all we have built up in our relationships.

“What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.” Matthew 15:11 NIV

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. V. 27

Religion: thrēskeia (thrace-ki’-ah- religious worship; external: religious discipline, religion:

Pure and undefiled religion before God: There is a great deal of pure and undefiled religion in the sight of man that is not pure and undefiled religion before God.

d. To visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world: A real walk with God shows itself in simple, practical ways. It helps the needy and keeps itself unstained by the world’s corruption.

i. “The Biblical Ritualism, the pure external worship, the true embodiment of the inward principles of religion is to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep ourselves unspotted from the world. Charity and purity are the two great garments of Christianity.” (Spurgeon)

ii. “True religion does not merely give something for the relief of the distressed, but it visits them, it takes the oversight of them, it takes them under its care; so episkeptesthai means. It goes to their houses, and speaks to their hearts; it relieves their wants, sympathizes with them in their distresses, instructs them in divine things, and recommends them to God. And all this it does for the Lord’s sake. This is the religion of Christ.” (Clarke)

e. Unspotted from the world: The idea is not that a Christian retreats away from the world; instead they interact with orphans and widows in their trouble and others such in their need. The Christian ideal is not to retreat from the world; they are in the world, they are not of it; and remain unspotted from the world.

i. “I would like to see a Christian, not kept in a glass case away from trial and temptation, but yet covered with an invisible shield, so that, wherever he went, he would be guarded and protected from the evil influences that are in the world in almost every place.” (Spurgeon)

ii. From the book of Genesis, Lot is an example of a man who wasspotted by the world. He started living towards Sodom, disregarding the spiritual climate of the area because of the prosperity of the area. Eventually he moved to the wicked city and became a part of the city’s leadership. The end result was that Lot lost everything — and was saved as only by the skin of his teeth.

iii. “There is no book with so lofty an ideal of what life may become when it is yielded to the grace of Christ. A cleansed heart, and an unspotted robe; no sin allowed and permitted in the soul, and no evil habit allowed to dominate and enthrall the life.” (Meyer)