James Chapter Three, The Tongue: A World of Iniquity

 

James 3:2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.

 

Continuing the passage regarding teachers, James reminds his audience (and us) that we all make mistakes. We all err. Note how his pronoun choice includes him. James isn’t perfected in the sense that he as incapable of sin; the “we” reminds us that he is in the same boat. The first step to teaching should be to acknowledge that we do not know everything. We teach others, are taught by others, and together grow in the word and our love for Jesus Christ. Love ought to be our motivation for teaching: a fervent love for God that translates into a love for our fellow saints and unsaved men.

James Chapter Three: Counting the Cost of Teaching

 

James 3:1b …knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

 

The term judgment (condemnation in the KJV) is the Greek word “krima,” and its definition is revealing. It is rendered “condemnation” or “judgment” five times in the New Testament: in Luke 23:40, 1 Corinthians 11:34, 1 Timothy 3:6, Jude 4, and here in James. In Luke one thief from the cross rebukes the other, reminding him that both are under the judicial condemnation their crimes justly warranted. Paul cautions the Corinthians not to make a mockery of their Fellowship when taking the bread and wine, lest they suffer condemnation for it. Paul, when explaining the parameters for appointing a bishop in the church, informs Timothy that they ought not to be a novice in the faith, unless he is condemned like the devil. Finally, Jude warns his audience about ungodly men infiltrating the church, corrupting the faith he desires the saints to earnestly contend for and meriting judgment for it.

James Chapter Three: A Warning for Teachers

 

James 3:1a My brethren, let not many of you become teachers

Giving of Thanks to God

Happy Thanksgiving to all! In light of this festive day, I wanted to share my giving of thanks by revisiting the preeminent doctrine of all Christendom: the gospel.

James Chapter Two, Part 6

 

James 2:24 You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

James points the reader to the illustration given in verses 21 through 23. Abraham was held up as an exemplar of what faith practically lived looks like. The entire epistle is sewn with the care of an apostle that is scrutinizing how the outward actions of the saints reflect their inward confession. Chapter two summarizes the apostle’s point. Faith alone, of itself, is dead. Let it be stressed that James’ is not accusing his readers of being spiritually dead. Rather he is inciting them to a fervor for works that accompany salvation, Hebrews 6:9-12. In James 1:2, 2:1, and 2:14 he refers to his readers as “my brethren.” He is instructing fellow Christians whose dead faith will lead to grave consequences when at last they meet their Lord. Nor is James inferring that works are requisite for one’s salvation. Refer back to verse 18. “But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” The idea presented is justification of one’s confession of faith before men. As noted, the Bible makes it clear that God does not need our works, but sees the heart. We are justified before God through faith alone, Mark 16:16; John 3:16, 18; Acts 16:31; Romans 4:5, etc.

James Chapter Two, Part 5

 

James 2:20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

 

This marks the second of three times James comments that “faith without works is dead,” the first being verse 17, the final being verse 26. Verse 17 is preceded by an illustration about how words or intentions void of a corresponding action to reinforce them are useless. Further, James likens faith severed from works to a body without the spirit: incapable of acting for good or evil. A body is simply the container for the person housing it, while the spirit determines the course that body will take. Bereft of the spirit, the body simply rots.

James Chapter Two, Part 4

 

James 2:14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?

James is deeply interested in the actions of his readers and the motives that spawn them. A man walking in faith, drawing close to God and resisting temptation will receive reward, James 1:12. The latter, failing that temptation or trial as daily habit becomes sinful lifestyle, results in death, James 1:15. Many sins may naturally result in death. Drug use, drinking, sexual perversion resulting in STD’s…the list goes on. God does not need to strike one down from one high dramatically. He need only permit the sinner to chase their folly to its natural end, Deuteronomy 32:35. The writer reiterates how actions (doers, his word) justify one’s faith, James 1:22-25.

James Chapter Two, Part 3

 

James 2:7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?

“They” in this verse again refers back to the rich; the rich that oppress others, drag them into court, and now blaspheme that noble name by which we are called. Mind you, as I stated before, these are generalizations regarding the mentality the wealthy possess. Or perhaps the mentality that is garnered by the acquisition of wealth. It is a general and unfortunately common disposition. Stereotypes tend to occur because the trait the stereotype depicts too often portrays truth, however embellished it may be.

James Chapter Two, Part 2

James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

James focuses his lens for a moment on the plight of the poor. To define: he is describing the materially poor believers of this present world. The New Testament seems to indicate that the rich are far more likely to reject the gospel than the poor. The secular argument may go something like this: "The poor would more readily accept the message of the gospel because the gospel is escapism. Somewhere 'out there' is a better world and the poor can be content in their poverty believing that one day God will make it up to them." In other words the poor would latch onto the message of the gospel because it has a placebo effect.

James Chapter Two

 

James 2:1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. (2) For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, (3) and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” (4) have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

 

The passage suggests a very human bias that people of every age struggle with. The wealthy are always revered. We put them on a pedestal because they’re rich. We envy them and their accomplishments. We are jealous of what they have and, if given the chance, strive to curry favor with someone of affluence. The disciples James refers to in this hypothetical scenario appear to be doing just that. Because the man is finely dressed and boasts golden trinkets he deserves a position of prominence. But judging a man based on wealth can lead to some unfortunate results. It’s an old argument, that the wealthy must be blessed while the poor are cursed, presumably by God. Much of the book of Job contends with a narrative akin to this type of thinking.

 

A Long Time Coming

 I apologize for the long delay, but life happens as we all know. I intend, by God's grace, to continue James where I left off and soon share a post, the topic of which I was convicted of not long ago about finding hope in a hopeless world. I am also searching for potential new domains for What's in a Name? I will post here when I have finished my search and potentially begin my move, so to speak. For now, I'm going to turn to James tonight and, God willing, post soon. On a side note: it's good to be back. Life may change, we may change, and often do. But God and His word never changes. He is immutable, and that is a characteristic of his person I find very comforting! God bless!