Last time, we watched Christ’s transformation of Saul of Tarsus into who would become the Apostle Paul (see What Happened on the Road to Damascus?).
We learned that in approximately 37 A.D., Saul had met with the apostle James (the half-brother of Jesus, also called ‘James the Just’), in Jerusalem. He went to see James to have him authenticate his ‘Christ -calling.’
If we search the scriptures, we can conclude that James was the leader of the church at that time (Acts 12:17; 15:13 – 21; 21:18 & Gal. 1:19 & 2:9.).
In addition to our studies thus far in the book of Acts, (i.e., looking at the apostles’ efforts for building the first church), there are appropriate times during this continuing study, where we must interweave the various apostles’ epistles – written along the same timeline. Having said that, biblical scholars attest that James penned his, (the Book of James), in the early 40s A.D. Thus, now is the time to give it a go.
The book of James differs from most of the other epistles, in that it is not a deep theological treatise, but instead, is more of a practical guide for living in a godly manner.
Right at the outset, James lets us know that his epistle is written to the Jews living outside of the region of Palestine – those who fled from Assyrian and Babylonian persecution:
To the twelve [Hebrew] tribes [scattered abroad among the Gentiles] in the dispersion: Greetings (rejoice)! Jas 1:1 AMP
James begins with teaching us about the importance of how to build your faith and what that imparts:
Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let the endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. Jas. 1:2 – 4. CSB
Most of us don’t see trials as a joy-inspiring, or faith-building prospect. Yet, that is exactly what God is telling us here.
It is not the trial itself that is the focus of joy; it is the potential byproduct of the lesson to be learned from that trial, (e.g., greater spiritual maturity), that brings the joy.
When we patiently endure as we move through our trial, we can come out of it on the other side with greater strength and insight and build our faith as we see God’s helping hand.
All trials produce a temptation, a desire to flee from the trial rather that placing our faith in God, or we try to go solo in our efforts instead of enlisting His help. If we cling to Him, He will not leave us helpless and hopeless:
(No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it. 1 Cor. 10:13 CSB)
(…the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations… 2 Pt. 2:9 NKJV)
Jehovah loves you and keeps watch over you. When you veer off your God-path, He will lovingly nudge you back, giving you the opportunity to make a free-will choice to do the right thing. These ‘nudges’ may come in the form of a trial, so that you can have a chance to experience His ‘love correction’:
(As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? Heb 12:7 NLT)
Returning to the book of James, we see that God may allow various trials, but He, Himself, will NEVER tempt you:
God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.
These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. Jas. 1:12 – 15. NLT
James shifts his focus to how to gain godly wisdom, to know the right course of action when life throws us a curve:
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone.
Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Jas. 1:5 – 7. NLT
It’s that faith thing again. Jehovah God will give you anything you ask for, (that aligns with His will), if you believe that He can do it, that He will do it, and that it’s already being done.
We need wisdom, (i.e., the right experiential application of the word of God) in our lives – which requires patience through trial and error:
You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. Jas. 1:19 – 21. NLT
To tap into those ‘planted words,’ we must keep our spiritual ears open. And, to have those words bear fruit, we must act them out:
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves…if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. Jas. 1:22 & 25. NLT
So, to be a godly person, (a loving person), you must do godly things (do the loving). What does ‘doing love’ look like?
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. Jas. 1:27 NLT
We know that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mt. 22:39) – especially reaching out to those who are less fortunate physically, materially, and / or spiritually. When we walk in the light of God, we become lights for God, spreading the Gospel to all who are willing to receive it:
My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? Jas 2:1 NLT
Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? Jas. 2:5 NLT
There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. Jas. 2:13 NLT
If we withhold the Gospel from anyone, we are judging that person, finding him or her unworthy – in direct opposition to Jesus’ directive against engaging in judgment (Mt. 7:1).
Next, the apostle gives further examples of doing the love, and why that is an imperative:
What good is it…if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?
Suppose you see a brother or a sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well” – but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? Jas. 2:14 – 16. NLT
Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works. Jas. 2:26 NLT
So, James is teaching that faith alone cannot lead to salvation. Yet later we will hear this from the apostle Paul:
For we maintain that an individual is justified by faith distinctly apart from the works of the Law [the observance of which has nothing to do with justification, that is, being declared free of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God]. Rm. 3:28 AMP
The apostles seem to be diametrically opposed to one another – appearing to create confusion. They were both Holy Spirit-inspired; and God is not a God of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33). So, who is correct? They both are.
Paul rightly teaches that salvation is a free gift of God’s grace – given in exchange for one’s faith in Christ – who He is and what He’s done, and that He died and was resurrected to the Father’s right hand.
Being that salvation is a gift, it is not something that you can earn – even through good works.
James rightly states that if we turn from our worldly ways and walk in the love of God, our character will change, which cannot help but change what we do, i.e., our ‘works.’ This resonates with the Holy Spirit’s message to King David:
(Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?
Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right… Ps. 15:1, 2. NLT) Emphasis mine.
Jesus also preached that our works are a product of our godly transformation – to be exercised for the glory of God:
(…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Mt. 5:16 CSB)
So, we see that James is just as correct as Paul. If there is no change in a person’s heart, and thus no change in the way that they conduct themselves, then their conversion was not in earnest. They are trying to straddle the Kingdom and the world. It cannot be done.
We will finish up with James next time…
Goodnight and God bless.