James 1
James 1:2
Temptations and trials are two different experiences. Though they often
occur at the same time, there is a fine line between them. In the New
Testament a single Greek word covers both situations. James 1:2 tells us
to rejoice when we fall into various trials, but in Matthew 26:41 Jesus
tells His disciples to pray that they enter not into temptation. The
first is an occasion for good, the second a danger to avoid.
In a sermon entitled "Faith Tested and Crowned," Alexander Maclaren
distinguished between being tempted and being tested or tried. He said
that "the former word conveys the idea of appealing to the worst part of
man, with the wish that he may yield and do the wrong. The latter means an
appeal to the better part of man, with the desire that he should stand.
Temptation says, `Do this pleasant thing; do not be hindered by the fact
that it is wrong.' Trial or proving says, `Do this right and noble thing;
do not be hindered by the fact that it is painful.' The one is a sweet,
beguiling melody, breathing soft indulgence and relaxation over the soul;
the other is a pealing trumpet-call to high achievements."
Every hardship holds the potential to be a temptation and a trial. By
resisting all suggestions we know are wrong and accepting all
circumstances as opportunities for growth, we cooperate with the Holy
Spirit in His sanctifying work in us. We move toward that desired goal of
being "perfect and complete, lacking nothing" (James 1:4). —Dennis De Haan
(Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
Satan tempts us to bring out the worst in us; God tests us to bring out
the best in us. .
James 1:2 "Count it all joy
when you fall into various trials."
JOY IN CALAMITY - Celebrate bankruptcy? How foolish that seems to us! Yet
author Leo Buscaglia's mother did just that.
Her husband came home one evening and sadly told the family that his
business partner had stolen the assets of the firm. Bankruptcy was
unavoidable.
Instead of despairing, Leo's mother went out, pawned some jewelry, and
prepared a delectable dinner. When family members protested, she replied,
"The time for joy is now when we need it most, not next week."
Mrs. Buscaglia's response to her family's financial crisis reminds me of a
New Testament directive: "Count it all joy when you fall into various
trials" (James 1:2).
Have you run into difficult circumstances recently? Has some calamity
gripped your heart with fear and sorrow? God doesn't want you to wear a
hypocritical, smiling face. But He does want you to trust Him through all
your circumstances -- including calamities! He wants you to accept
failure, sickness, and loss as opportunities for growth in faith and
obedience.
Our wise and loving heavenly Father longs for us to submit to His
sovereign control. Only as we do that can we agree with James and rejoice
even in calamity. - Vernon Grounds (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
Though times be dark,
the struggles grim,
And cares rise like a flood,
This sweet assurance holds to Him:
My God is near and good.-- Hager
Life's trials should make us better
- not bitter.
James 1:2
Faith Tested - Alexander Maclaren, in a sermon entitled “Faith Tested and
Crowned,” distinguished between being tempted and being tested or tried.
He said that “the former word conveys the idea of appealing to the worst
part of man, with the wish that he may yield and do the wrong. The latter
means an appeal to the better part of man, with the desire that he should
stand. Temptation says, ‘Do this pleasant thing; do not be hindered by
the fact that it is wrong.’ Trial or proving says, ‘Do this right and
noble thing; do not be hindered by the fact that it is painful.’ The one
is a sweet, beguiling melody, breathing soft indulgence and relaxation
over the soul; the other is a pealing trumpet-call to high achievements.”
Every hardship of life holds the possibility of being a temptation and a
trial. By resisting all suggestions we know are wrong and accepting all
circumstances as opportunities for growth, we cooperate with the Holy
Spirit in His sanctifying work in us. We move toward that desired goal of
being “perfect and entire, lacking nothing” (James 1:4). -
Dennis De Haan (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
Count your
blessings instead of your crosses;
Count your gains instead of your losses.
Count your joys instead of your woes;
Count your friends instead of your foes.
Count your smiles instead of your tears;
Count your courage instead of your fears.
Count your full years instead of your lean;
Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.
Count your health instead of your wealth;
Count on God instead of yourself.
><>><>><>
James 1:2-3
Amy Carmichael wrote that "The best training is to learn to accept
everything as it comes, as from Him whom our soul loves. The tests are
always unexpected things, not great things that can be written up, but the
common little rubs of life, silly little nothings, things you are ashamed
of minding (at all). Yet they can knock a strong man over and lay him very
low. (Candles in the Dark)
><>><>><>
James 1:2-3 "Count it all joy
when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith
produces patience."
HIGHER MATH - Mathematical formulas work well with numbers, but not with
people. That's why this equation in James 1 sounds unworkable:
FAITH + TRIALS =
PATIENCE
One might better try to mix oil and
water. But what makes this formula work is confidence in God's unfailing
love, which allows for all the human emotions that come with life's
trials.
Shirley and her husband Roy proved that this equation is still up-to-date.
Here's their story: Roy was told that in 6 months the plant where he
worked would close but he would receive severance pay.
Shirley wrote, "Praise the Lord for that -- but also praise the Lord that
He loves us so much He's given us yet another trial in our lives. (This
will be the fourth time we're starting over in the 13 years we've been
married.) At first I panicked and questioned God's love. But I kept
reading my Bible, stopped feeling sorry for myself, and started to pray
for others. As long as God gives us this roof over our heads (and even if
we lost it), I'll thank Him."
So when you face trials, you can "count it all joy" if you add faith,
knowing that God's love will never fail. As you do, you will develop an
attitude of patient expectation, confident that God will do what is
best.-- Dennis De Haan (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
Afflictions may test
me,
They cannot destroy;
One glimpse of Thy love
Turns them all into joy.- Willett
The first lesson in patience is
learning to count our trials as joy.
James 1:3 The testing of your
faith produces patience
One of the delights of my carefree days of childhood was flying a kite.
What happy, peaceful hours I enjoyed with that soaring paper bird tugging
on the string anchored to my finger! But if that kite could have talked,
it might have said, "Look how high I'm flying and how gracefully I'm
floating through the sky. And I'm doing all this in spite of that
aggravating boy down there hanging onto the end of the string. I don't
need that. Look, I have a tail and broad wings, but that pesky kid is
hanging onto that cord as if he expects me to lift him into the wind. Why,
if I didn't have the handicap of this string he is holding, I could fly up
and reach the moon. If only I were not tied down in this irritating way."
Sometimes when flying my kite I would be distracted and I'd let go of the
string. The kite would go wobbling down and become tangled in the branches
of a tree. What might that proud paper bird have said then? If it had been
an honest kite, it would have admitted, "The very thing I thought was
tying me down was holding me up."
Likewise, much of our Christian growth and spiritual progress can be
credited to our trials and testings, which so often make us fret. If God
were to remove the restrictions that go with these difficult experiences,
our lives would be wobbly and weak like that wandering kite. "The testing
of your faith produces patience," James said. These testings are the
rewarding restraints of One who desires to see His children soar to
spiritual heights. —Paul R VanGorder (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
Adversity is only sand on your track to prevent you from skidding.
James 1:1-18
While visiting an inlet of the sea that reached deep into land, leaving a
sheltered bay, I noticed that the pebbles on that protected beach were
rough and jagged—not smooth and polished. But out on the open shore where
fierce waves break over the rocks, the pebbles were sleek and round.
The same is true of Christian character. Just as the harsh treatment of
the ocean waves makes the rough stones smooth, our trials, difficulties,
and testings can produce in us the luster of Christian maturity. When
circumstances become difficult, we can rest assured that God has only one
design in view—the perfection of our character. That's why the psalmist
could testify, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may
learn Your statutes" (Ps. 119:71). Echoing that statement, Scottish pastor
Samuel Rutherford declared that he "got a new Bible" through the furnace
of adversity. The Scriptures took on fresh meaning for him when his faith
had been tested and his character enriched.
The popular idea that bad things happen because we are being punished is
contrary to what God says. The Word of God indicates that troubles can be
a badge of honor for the Christian. Through them we can see that God is at
work in us to produce the patience that James said would help us become
mature, lacking nothing (James 1:4). Through the rough seas of trouble,
God "rounds" the stone of our character and conforms us to the likeness of
His Son. —Paul R VanGorder (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
God sends trials not to impair us but to improve us.
James 1:1-4
A University of Michigan microbiologist tells his students that the human
body is made up of ten trillion cells, which are home to some 100 trillion
bacteria. He supports this claim by citing studies con-ducted by
University of Pennsylvania researchers who once estimated that a
dime-sized patch of skin may hold up to two million bacteria.
The presence of all those little critters might seem to be an
overwhelming threat to our health. But scientists who have come to
understand and appreciate the role of bacteria say that we would actually
be sicker without them than we are with them. They apparently help ward
off other bacteria that cause diseases.
This is not an argument for careless personal hygiene. But it is an
interesting parallel to the setting in which Christians are called to
live. Contrary to what we might think, we can actually benefit from a
hostile environment.
God calls His children to show patience, love, and faith in a world
polluted by sin and opposed to righteousness. Many of the troubles we
encounter can help us avoid greater problems of independence,
self-sufficiency, and pride that set in so quickly when all goes smoothly.
The problems in our lives can help us to realize the need for dependence
on the Lord and faith in His Word. Obstacles can contribute to our health
if we'll see them as tests of our faith and as opportunities to develop
endurance. Until Jesus comes, we can be healthier with them than without
them. —M R De Haan II (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
The difficulties of life are intended to make us better—not bitter.
James 1:4
C H Spurgeon writes: If his dark nights are as bright as the world’s days,
what will his days be? If even his starlight is more splendid than the
sun, what must his sunlight be? If he can praise the Lord in the fires,
how will he extol Him before the eternal throne! If evil is good to him
now, what will the overflowing goodness of God be to him then? Oh, blessed
“afterward”! Who would not be a Christian? Who would not bear the
present cross for the crown which comes afterwards? But herein is work for
patience, for the rest is not for today, nor the triumph for the present,
but “afterward.” Wait, soul, and “let patience have her perfect work”
(James 1:4). (Daily Help)
James 1:5
“If any of you
lack wisdom let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and uphraideth not,
and it shall be given him.”
Wisdom for the Asking - IF any of you lack wisdom. There is no “if” in
the matter, for I am sure I lack it. What do I know? How can I guide my
own way? How can I direct others? Lord, I am a mass of folly, and wisdom I
have none. Thou sayest, “Let him ask of God.” Lord, I now ask. Here at
thy footstool, I ask to be furnished with heavenly wisdom for this day’s
perplexities and for this day’s simplicities; for I know I may do very
stupid things even in plain matters, unless thou dost keep me out of
mischief. I thank thee that all I have to do is to ask. What grace is this
on thy part, that I have only to pray in faith, and thou wilt give me
wisdom! Thou dost here promise me a liberal education, and that, too,
without an angry tutor or a scolding usher. This, too, thou wilt bestow
without a fee—bestow it on a fool who lacks wisdom. O Lord, I thank thee
for that positive and expressive word, “It shall be given him.” I
believe it. Thou wilt this day make thy babe to know the hidden wisdom
which the carnally prudent never learn. Thou wilt guide me with thy
counsel, and afterwards receive me to glory. (Spurgeon, C. Faith's
Checkbook)
James 1:6 ... He that
wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
"Nothing Doubting"
1. We are to believe without doubting. "If ye have faith, and doubt
not . . ." (Mt 21:21). We may be tempted to doubt. We may have to pray,
"Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief " But we can take sides with our
faith and by the exercise of it give doubt no chance to grow. Such faith
moves mountains.
2. We are to pray without doubting. I will therefore that men pray
every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting" (1 Tim.
2:8). The man who lacks wisdom must ask of God "but let him ask in faith,
nothing wavering" (James 1:6). The doubting man, says James, is like a
storm‑driven wave of the sea and he need not expect anything of the Lord.
3. We are to obey without doubting. Peter was told to go with the
men from the house of Cornelius "nothing doubting" (Acts 10:20; 11:12).
When the Holy Spirit sends us on a mission we are to ask no questions.
Peter had his scruples on this occasion and sometimes we have to give up
well‑established objections if we are to help Cornelius.
Doubting means wavering, double‑mindedness. Without faith it is impossible
to please God (Heb. 11:6). A man displeases God to the extent of his
doubts. Doubt may assail you but do not pray, "Lord, I doubt; increase my
faith"; pray, "Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief." (Vance Havner)
><>><>><>
The field mouse who illustrated
James "Double-minded man" - Driving in country at night when headlights
showed up a field mouse dead ahead. He first started toward the left, then
right, then left, and finally stood still as the car passed over him.
><>><>><>
James 1:12
“Blessed is the
man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the
crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
Mark of Divine Approval - YES, he is blessed while he is enduring the
trial. No eye can see this till he has been anointed with heavenly eye
salve. But he must endure it, and neither rebel against God, nor turn
aside from his integrity. He is blessed who has gone through the fire and
has not been consumed as a counterfeit. When the test is over, then comes
the hallmark of divine approval, “the crown of life.” As if the Lord
said, “Let him live; he has been weighed in the balances, and he is not
found wanting.” Life is the reward: not mere being—but holy, happy, true
existence—the realization of the divine purpose concerning us. Already a
higher form of spiritual life and enjoyment crowns those who have safely
passed through fiercest trials of faith and love. The Lord hath promised
the crown of life to those who love Him. Only lovers of the Lord will hold
out in the hour of trial; the rest will either sink or sulk, or slink back
to the world. Come, my heart, dost thou love thy Lord? Truly? Deeply?
Wholly? Then that love will be tried, but many waters will not quench it,
neither will the floods drown it. Lord, let thy love nourish mine to the
end. (Spurgeon, C. Faith's Checkbook)
James 1:1-12
Trial By Fire - F. B. Meyer explained it this way: “A bar of iron worth
$2.50, when wrought into horseshoes is worth $5. If made into needles it
is worth $175. If into penknife blades it is worth $1,625. If made into
springs for watches it is worth $125,000. What a ‘trial by fire’ that
bar must undergo to be worth this! But the more it is manipulated, and the
more it is hammered and passed through the heat, beaten, pounded, and
polished, the greater its value.” Christian, are you wondering about the
trials through which you are passing? With impatient heart are you saying,
“How long, O Lord?” The heat of the flame and the blows of the hammer
are necessary if you are to be more than an unpolished, rough bar of iron.
God’s all-wise plan, though it calls for the fire, produces the valuable
watch spring of maturity. His very best for your life has behind it His
perfect timing. - Paul R VanGorder (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
James 1:13–15
George Keenan served as adviser to U.S. diplomats and ambassadors to
Russia from the 1930s to the 1950s, then as ambassador to Russia in the
1950s. His writings on Soviet aims and ideals were widely accepted. He
became noted for advocating containment of Communism, meaning that
wherever it appeared, the democracies would counteract it. Containment
didn’t work well against communism; it died under the weight of its own
inadequacies. Containment never works in the spiritual life. Either we
conquer Satan or he conquers us. If we attempt accommodation, Satan wins.
We fail to understand that he has more willpower than we, and that he has
far more openings into our lives to develop than he ever exploits. The
only answer to evil is annihilation. It must be obliterated, because the
alternative is its horrendous growth, our gradual acceptance of its
presence, and our eventual downfall. The best time to get rid of sin is
now.
James 1:13
Alexander Maclaren, in a sermon entitled “Faith Tested and Crowned,”
distinguished between being tempted and being tested or tried. He said
that “the former word conveys the idea of appealing to the worst part of
man, with the wish that he may yield and do the wrong. The latter means an
appeal to the better part of man, with the desire that he should stand.
Temptation says, ‘Do this pleasant thing; do not be hindered by the fact
that it is wrong.’ Trial or proving says, ‘Do this right and noble
thing; do not be hindered by the fact that it is painful.’ The one is a
sweet, beguiling melody, breathing soft indulgence and relaxation over the
soul; the other is a pealing trumpet-call to high achievements.” Every
hardship of life holds the possibility of being a temptation and a trial.
By resisting all suggestions we know are wrong and accepting all
circumstances as opportunities for growth, we cooperate with the Holy
Spirit in His sanctifying work in us. We move toward that desired goal of
being “perfect and entire, lacking nothing” (James 1:4). -
Dennis De Haan (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
James 1:13
"What is temptation? Seduction to evil, solicitation to wrong. It stands
distinguished from trial thus: trial tests, seeks to discover the man’s
moral qualities or character; but temptation persuades to evil, deludes,
that it may ruin. The one means to undeceive, the other to deceive. The
one aims at the man’s good, making him conscious of his true moral self;
but the other at his evil, leading him more or less unconsciously into
sin. God tries; Satan tempts." (D. Pentecost, J D: The Words and
Works of Jesus Christ)
James 1:14
Each one is
tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
IT'S MY FAULT! - The first step in overcoming sin is to admit that we are
the ones who are responsible. To look for someone else to blame is to
evade the real issue.
A man in a parking lot backed into another car. He simply didn't look to
see if the way was clear, and he was obviously at fault. But he jumped out
of his car, yelled furiously at the woman driving the car he hit, and told
her it was her fault for getting in his way. I learned later that he
continued to blame her when he spoke to his insurance agent. Eventually
she was cleared, but only after going through tremendous anguish.
This is similar to what happened in the Garden of Eden. After Adam ate the
forbidden fruit, he said he wasn't to blame. It was the fault of the woman
God had made.
Sometimes we respond like that. When we do something wrong, we immediately
look for someone to blame, even if it's God. But James says we sin because
we listen to our own selfish desires.
Troubled by a sin that won't go away? Maybe you're not overcoming it
because you are blaming someone else. You might even be blaming God
because He didn't stop you from doing it. Nonsense! You'll never conquer
your sin until you're willing to say, "It's my fault!" - Dennis
Egner (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
God cannot prosper
those who try
To cover sin and wrong deny;
But all who humbly will confess,
The Savior with His love will bless. -Dennis De Haan
You can never conquer sin with an
excuse.
><>><>><>
Knowing how much an acquaintance
despises his wife’s parakeet, I was surprised one day to hear him coaxing
it to speak. Upon listening more closely, however, I nearly choked holding
back my laughter. Now, along with its constant, annoying jabbering, the
bird also calls out a suicidal, “Here kitty, kitty, kitty.” (Reader's
Digest)
><>><>><>
James 1:15 Desire . . . gives
birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. --
My Sin - The woman explained the rules to the Tempter. She and her husband
could eat the fruit of any tree in the garden, except for the special one
in the middle. Just touching it, she said, would bring death.
I can imagine Satan throwing back his head and with mocking laughter
saying, "You will not surely die" (Gen. 3:4). He then suggested that God
was holding back something good from her (v.5).
For thousands of years the Enemy has repeated that strategy. He doesn't
care if you believe in the authority of the Bible as a whole, as long as
he can get you to disbelieve at the one sin standing between you and God.
"You will not surely die," we are told. That is the theme of so many
modern novels. The hero and heroine live in disobedience to God but suffer
no consequences. In TV shows and movies the characters rebel against the
moral laws of God but live happily ever after.
There is even a perfume called "My Sin." It's a fragrance "so alluring, so
charming, so exciting," the ads tell us, "we could only call it 'My Sin.'"
You would never guess that sin is a stench in the nostrils of God.
In the temptation you face today, will you choose to believe Satan's lie,
or will you obey God's warning? --Haddon W Robinson (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
Personal Reflection
How has sin damaged the lives of people I know?
How has disobedience to God harmed me?
Have I experienced God's forgiveness? (1 Jn. 1:9-10).
A bite of sin leaves a
bitter aftertaste
James 1:17
The conclusion is unavoidable: self-salvation simply does not work. Man
has no way to save himself. But Paul announces that God has a way. Where
man fails God excels. Salvation comes from heaven downward, not earth
upward. “Every good action and every perfect gift is from God” (James
1:17). Please note: Salvation is God-given, God-driven, God-empowered, and
God-originated. The gift is not from man to God. It is from God to man.
(Lucado, Max: In the Grip of Grace)
James 1:17 Every good gift
and every perfect gift is from above.
DOUBTING GOD- When Satan tempted Eve, he did so by enticing her to doubt
God's character. He told Eve, "God knows that in the day you eat of (the
forbidden fruit) your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God,
knowing good and evil" (Gen. 3:5).
Satan was implying, "God has a hidden agenda, and it is an evil one." The
devil knew that once Eve doubted the goodness of God, the temptation would
work.
We may not think we doubt God. But when events happen in our lives that
make us question Him, that's exactly what we do. We seldom stop believing
in Him, but we do stop believing in His goodness. And that is a
faith-poisoning idea!
John Greenleaf Whittier knew that at the center of trust is a confidence
in God's goodness. He wrote:
I see the wrong that
round me lies,
I feel the guilt within,
I hear, with groan and travail cries,
The world confess its sin.
Yet, in the maddening maze of things,
And tossed by storm and flood,
To one fixed trust my spirit clings:
I know that God is good!
Never doubt God's goodness. Even
when our trials seem beyond our understanding, we can trust God to give us
perfect gifts (Jas. 1:17). - Haddon W Robinson
Don't put a question mark where God has put a period.
James 1:19 "Let every man be
swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath."
JUMPING TO ILLUSIONS - How frustrating to have someone interrupt you,
thinking he knows what you're about to say and then jumping to a
conclusion! We've all done that. We've jumped to "illusions" about what
the person was actually saying. We've heard the words that were spoken,
but we didn't really listen to what was being said. And what mis-understanding
has resulted!
Recently I "sat on the sidelines" as a husband and wife argued, firing
volley after volley of accusations at each other, both talking at the same
time, and constantly interrupting each other. Each word drove the wedge of
misunderstanding deeper and deeper into their relationship. I could hardly
call for a ceasefire above the din of their verbal warfare.
I can't imagine that Jesus ever engaged in discourteous conversation.
People listened to Him, and He listened to them. James, in his letter to
the early church, wrote, "Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath"
(1:19). I'm sure he saw this modeled in Jesus many times over.
Respectful listening keeps anger under control and promotes righteousness.
Let's listen carefully and avoid jumping to illusions. Dennis De Haan (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
It's easy to listen
to words that are said
And not hear the facts at all;
But listening for truth, and not just to words,
Will save you from many a fall.-- Hess
You can win more friends with your
ears than with your mouth.
James 1:19 Let every man be
swift to hear, slow to speak.
GOOD LISTENERS - In his book "Life Together", Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote,
"The first service that one owes to others in the fellowship consists of
listening to them. Just as love for God begins with listening to His Word,
so the beginning of love for the brothers is learning to listen to them.
It is [because of] God's love for us that He not only gives us His Word
but also lends us His ear."
Listening was a key element in
solving a problem between two ethnic groups in the infant church in
Jerusalem (Acts 6:1-7). One group felt that their widows were being
discriminated against in the distribution of food. So the apostles wisely
listened to their complaint, worked out an acceptable solution, and
settled the dispute.
Listening to others is also important today because our churches are
becoming increasingly diverse. We come from broad ethnic and racial
backgrounds and are at different levels of maturity. But if we show our
love by listening, our common faith in Christ can bind us together.
Are we so driven to express our views or vent our feelings that we don't
really hear what others have to say?
Lord, teach us how to love. Make us good listeners to others, as You are
to us. -Dennis Egner (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
Be this our common
enterprise:
That truth be preached and prayer arise,
That each may seek the other's good,
And live and love as Jesus would. - Brewster
Listening may be the most important
thing you do today.
My Problem Tongue: Various
passages in James
The average person speaks 18,000 words a day, and the Bible warns, “In the
multitude of words sin is not lacking” (Prov. 10:19). This theme is woven
throughout the little Book of James, who warns us of:
1. The Hasty Tongue—James 1:19 and 26
2. The Haughty Tongue—James 2:2–4
3. The Hellish Tongue—James 3:2–12
4. The Hateful Tongue—James 4:11
5. The Heathen Tongue—James 5:12
Conclusion: If your problem is your
tongue, spend some time reading through the Book of James, underlining his
references to the tongue and memorizing some of these verses. Ask God to
help you restrain your tongue and give you the tongue of the wise.
(Morgan, R. J. Nelson's Annual Preacher's Sourcebook : 2003 edition. Page
77. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers)
James 1.22 Be ye doers of the
Word, and not hearers only.
This letter of James is pre-eminently ethical, practical, forceful. In it
there are more references to sayings in the Sermon on the Mount than in
all the other letters of the New Testament. All this is of great interest
when we accept the view, which is almost beyond dispute, that the man who
wrote the letter was a brother of the Lord. He had lived with Jesus in all
the early years in Nazareth. While it would seem that he did not join
himself outwardly to the disciples till after the Resurrection, there are
evidences that in the company of Mary, these brethren were much with Jesus
in the central period of His ministry. All this would suggest that looking
back, and thinking of all those years, this man was impressed with the
harmony there had ever been in the Lord, between His teaching and His
life. Thus he argued, and rightly, that a faith which was not expressed in
deeds was of no value at all. This does not mean that he was in any way
ignorant of the deep spiritual mysteries of Christian life. If in these
words he urges us to be doers of the Word, we must remember that the Word
he refers to is that which he has just described as "the inborn word"
(James 1:21, marg.). He was referring, not merely to any written Word, nor
to his Lord as the Word incarnate alone; but to the Word of God received
into the soul through the written Word, and by the Word incarnate. That
Word is only of real value as it is obeyed, as what it enjoins is done.
There is no profit, but rather the reverse, in hearing, if there be no
doing. (Morgan, G. C. Life Applications from Every Chapter of the Bible).
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only,
deceiving your own selves
'Take Heed How Ye Hear" It is important that we hear. It is important what
we hear. It is important how we hear what we hear.
1. Consider the privilege of hearing the Word of God. We take it
for granted in America. Few people would want to live where there are no
churches but millions live as though there were no churches. Multitudes
the world around cannot hear the truth of God for various reasons. As
lightly as we regard it now, this privilege cost aplenty in days gone by.
And how grateful we ought to be that God has spoken both in His Book and
in His Son! What if He had remained silent and there were no word from
heaven!
2. Along with privilege goes responsibility. Where much is given,
much shall be required. Today sees a famine of the hearing of God's Word,
not because we cannot hear it, but because we do not listen to it.
Moreover, as the text declares, there is the duty of doing it when we hear
it. Throughout the Bible runs the note, "My commandments to do them"; "Ye
are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you."
3. Often overlooked in our text and almost never quoted is the penalty
for not doing the Word we hear, "Deceiving your own selves." Away with
the notion that it does not matter much how we hear! The man who hears and
refuses to obey walks out of church having betrayed himself into
deception. One cannot hear the truth and remain the same. (Vance Havner)
James 1:21-27 - Excuses
Unbelief, indifference, busyness, and laziness are some of the excuses
people give for not reading the Bible. Gamaliel
Bradford, a renowned American biographer who explored the lives and
motives of famous individuals, candidly admitted, "I do not read the New
Testament for fear of its awakening a storm of anxiety and self-reproach
and doubt and dread of having taken the wrong path, of having been traitor
to the plain and simple God."
Fear of facing up to failure, guilt and sin is not a very reasonable
reason to avoid reading the Bible! It's about as irrational as refusing to
see a doctor because there's a suspicion that cancer has started to
develop in one's body.
Yes, the Bible does indeed compel us to face ourselves. It is like an
x-ray machine that penetrates below the facade of
goodness and shows up any spiritual malignancy. It enables us to see how
God views all the worst diseases of the soul. But the Bible does more than
expose a fatal condition. It introduces us to the Great Physician, who can
cure our sin and bring spiritual healing.
If you read the Bible with a willingness to obey the truth, you will find
life's greatest cure. - Vernon Grounds (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
Instill within our
hearts, dear Lord,
A deep desire to know Your voice;
We need to learn to hear
Your Word That we may make
Your will our choice. -Dennis De Haan
Many people criticize the Bible
because the bible criticizes them.
James 1:22
I read about a man in New York City who died at the age of 63 without ever
having had a job. He spent his entire adult life in college. During those
years he acquired so many academic degrees that they “looked like the
alphabet” behind his name. Why did this man spend his entire life in
college? When he was a child, a wealthy relative died who had named him as
a beneficiary in his will. It stated that he was to be given enough money
to support him every year as long as he stayed in school. And it was to be
discontinued when he had completed his education. The man met the terms of
the will, but by remaining in school indefinitely he turned a technicality
into a steady income for life—something his benefactor never intended.
Unfortunately, he spent thousands of hours listening to professors and
reading books but never “doing.” He acquired more and more knowledge but
didn’t put it into practice. This reminds me of what James said: “Be
doers of the Word, and not hearers only” (1:22). If we read the Bible
or listen as it is taught but fail to put to work what we have learned, we
are as bad as that man with his string of degrees. His education was of no
practical benefit to anyone. Hearing must be matched by doing. - R W De
Haan (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
James 1:22: "Be doers of the
Word..."
An unknown author captured eloquently the way in which we so practice
religion but fall short of truly being "doers of the Word"...
I was hungry and you formed a
humanities club and discussed my hunger.
I was imprisoned and you crept off quietly to your chapel and prayed for
my release.
I was naked and in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance.
I was sick and you knelt and thanked God for your health.
I was homeless and you preached to me of the spiritual shelter of the love
of God. I was lonely and you left me alone to pray for me. You seem so
holy, so close to God.
But I’m still very hungry and lonely and cold.
James 1:22
Many Christians have allowed their knowledge of the truth to outdistance
their practice. They remind me of a story in Glad Tidings by James Kallam.
He tells of a young book salesman who was assigned to a rural area. Seeing
a former seated in a rocking chair on his front porch, the young man
approached him with all the zeal of a newly trained salesman. “Sir,” he
said, “I have here a book that will tell you how to farm 10 times better
than you are doing it now.” The farmer continued to rock. After a few
seconds he stopped, looked at the young fellow and said, “Son, I don’t
need your book. I already know how to farm 10 times better than I’m doing
it now.” - Paul R VanGorder
The story is told of King Edward VI
of England who attended worship service and stood while the Word of God
was read taking notes which he later studied with great care. Throughout
the week King Edward earnestly tried to apply them to his life. That’s
the kind of serious-minded response to truth the James means when he says
"Be doers of the Word...". A single revealed fact cherished in the heart
and acted upon is more vital to our growth than a head filled with lofty
ideas about God.
Martin Luther wrote...
“The world does not need a definition
of religion as much as it needs a demonstration.”
Andrew Murray wrote...
What a terrible delusion to be content
with, to delight in hearing the word, and yet not do it. And how prevalent
the sight of multitudes of Christians listening to the Word of God most
regularly and earnestly, and yet not doing it! If a servant were to hear
but not do, how quickly the judgment would be given. And yet, so complete
is the delusion, that Christians never realize they are not living good
Christian lives. Why are we deluded in this way? For one thing people
mistake the pleasure they have in hearing the Word of God for Christianity
and worship. The mind delights in having the truth presented clearly; the
imagination is gratified by its illustration; the feelings are stirred by
its application. To an active mind knowledge gives pleasure. A person may
study some branch of science—say electricity—for the enjoyment the
knowledge gives him, without the least intention of applying it
practically. So people go to church, and enjoy the preaching, and yet do
not do what God asks.
Oswald Chambers adds that
"One step forward in obedience is worth
years of study about it."
John Calvin adds that...
“We must observe that the knowledge of
God which we are invited to cultivate is not that which, resting satisfied
with empty speculation, only flutters in the brain, but a knowledge which
will prove substantial and fruitful whenever it is duly perceived and
rooted in the heart.”
James 1:27 Unspotted from the
world.
“The white flower of a blameless
life!” The view of pure and undefiled religion presented in this
definition was characteristic of James, surnamed the Just, who was revered
even by the Jews for his austere piety, and whose vesture of simple white
was emblematic of his stainless character. Whatever may be our views about
the doctrines of Christianity, we must see to it that their outcome be in
pure and holy living. Orthodoxy of view is utterly worthless unless it be
combined with orthodoxy of life. This was the side of truth on which James
insisted.
What a beautiful conception is here!
The unspotted life! No book is like the Bible in its conceptions of sin;
indeed, we owe to it the thought of sin, and its evil in the sight of God.
But 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 enthral the life.
But how is it to be ours? (1) Put
the grave of Christ between you and your former life, and so reckon that
you are dead to all solicitations that would induce you to live according
to the lusts and passions that dominate the rest of the Gentiles, (2) Seek
by use to exercise your spiritual senses, that you may be quick to discern
the first and most distant approach of temptation, that so it may find you
hidden in the risen living Savior. (3) Let the blood of Jesus be instantly
applied, so that you may be immediately cleansed from the least spot that
may have defiled your dress. (4) Keep away your eyes, and speech, and
feet, from all scenes and society that have a defiling influence. (Meyer,
F. B. Our Daily Homily)
From an Unknown Source
Two theological students were
walking along a street in the Whitechapel district of London, a section
where old and used clothing is sold. “What a fitting illustration all
this makes!” said one of the students as he pointed to a suit of clothes
hanging on a rack by a window. A sign on it read: SLIGHTLY SOILED—GREATLY
REDUCED IN PRICE. “That’s it exactly,” he continued. “We get soiled by
gazing at a vulgar picture, reading a course book, or allowing ourselves a
little indulgence in dishonest or lustful thoughts; and so when the time
comes for our character to be appraised, we are greatly reduced in value.
Our purity, our strength is gone. We are just part and parcel of the
general, shopworn stock of the world.” Yes, continual slight deviations
from the path of right may greatly reduce our usefulness to God and to our
fellowman. In fact, these little secret sins can weaken our character so
that when we face a moral crisis, we cannot stand the test. As a result,
we go down in spiritual defeat because we have been careless about little
sins. (Source unknown)
James 1:27 Keep oneself
unstained by the world.
After a violent storm one night, a
large tree, which over the years had become a stately giant, was found
lying across the pathway in a park. Nothing but a splintered stump was
left. Closer examination showed that is was rotten at the core because
thousands of tiny insects had eaten away at its heart. The weakness of
that tree was not brought on by the sudden storm; it began the very moment
the first insect nested within its bark. With the Holy Spirit's help,
let's be very careful to guard our purity. (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
><>><>><>
Robert Murray McCheyne wrote
to Dan Edwards after the latter's ordination as a missionary, "In great
measure, according to the purity and perfections of the instrument, will
be the success. It is not great talents God blesses so much as great
likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God".
(Paul Borthwick, Leading the Way, Navpress, 1989, pp. 65)
><>><>><>
Paul Borthwick writes...
We can supplement our accountability to others by reading slowly through
literature designed to challenge our Christian maturity. Consider, as an
example, these questions related to sexual purity that I had to read
carefully as I read Kent Hughes' Liberating Ministry from the Success
Syndrome:
1. Are we being desensitized by the present evil world? Do things that
once shocked us now pass us by with little notice? Have our sexual ethics
slackened?
2. Where do our minds wander when we have no duties to perform?
3. What are we reading? Are there books or magazines or files in our
libraries that we want no one else to see?
4. What are we renting at the local video stores? How many hours do we
spend watching TV? How many adulteries did we watch last week? How many
murders? How many did we watch with our children?
5. How many chapters of the Bible did we read last week? (Leading the Way,
Navpress, 1989, pp. 120-121)
James 1:27 "Pure religion and
undefiled before our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless and
widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the
world."-- (R.V.).
THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHRISTIAN CHARACTER - IT IS the experiences of life
that reveal us to ourselves. They cannot put into us qualities that are
not there, but can develop them. The whole of this wonderful chapter is
filled with the diverse discipline of life. "Manifold trials" (Jam1:2),
which probably refer to the persecutions and losses of the early
Christians., "Temptations" (Jam1:12) which refer to the solicitation of
evil from without and within. The burning heat of the fire of prosperity
(Jam1:11). The "good gifts" which are strewn around our pathway by the
Father of lights--home, parents, friendship, love!
The greatest training-ground for us all is the Word of God (Jam1:21-25).
It is here compared to a mirror which reflects us to ourselves, but alas,
too often we go our way and forget what manner of men we are. The human
soul has a wonderful habit of forgetting any statements that seem to
reflect on itself, and to contradict its own notions of its pride and
respectability. If, however, we avoid this mistake, and set ourselves to
doing, and not hearing only, then we shall grow into strong, brave, and
beautiful souls, and shall be blessed in our deed.
Do not stand gazing at the imperfections which the Word of God reveals but
having learnt where you come short, dare to believe that Jesus Christ is
the true counterpart of your need; that He is strong where you are weak,
and full where you are empty.
"Keep himself unspotted from the world." We love the dimpled innocence and
purity of a sweet child. But there is something nobler--the face of man or
woman who has fought and suffered in the great battle against corruption
that is in the world through lust. To keep oneself unspotted from the evil
of the world, though perpetually accosted and surrounded by it, is a
greater thing than to live in a glass-house, where the blight and dust
cannot enter. What a training for character is this daily warfare!
To visit those in affliction. We are related to the world of pain and
sorrow by the troubles which are constantly overtaking those with whom we
come in contact in dally life. Where the conditions of life are hard, we
obtain our best perfecting in Christian character.
PRAYER Make our life deeper, stronger, richer, more Christlike, more full
of the spirit of heaven, more devoted to Thy service and glory. AMEN. (F B
Meyer. Our Daily Walk, July 7)
James
2
James 2:1
In his Prison Fellowship newsletter, Chuck Colson tells of a pastor
who was putting the final touches on his sermon early one Sunday morning
when he heard a knock on his study door. There stood three ragged boys who
had received gifts from church members. Their home was ravaged by drugs
and prostitution. They had never been in a church before and wanted to
look around. So the pastor gave them a quick "tour."
Fifteen minutes later they were back, asking what time the service
started. "Can people come to your church if their socks don't match?"
asked the oldest. The pastor assured them they could. "What if they don't
have any socks?" Again, the pastor reassured them. "That's good," said the
boy, "because my socks
don't match, and my little brother hasn't any." That morning those boys
came to church and were warmly welcomed. Since then the church has helped
the entire family.
Just as the gospel is open to everyone, everyone should feel welcome in
our churches. Wealthy and poor, child and aged, police officer and ex-con,
handicapped and athlete are all objects of Christ's love. They are all
potential members of His body. May there be no barriers in our churches
nor in our hearts
toward anyone! Dennis Egner (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
Lord, may some weary
souls find rest
Because Your people took them in
And helped them see the love of Christ
That frees us from our guilt and sin.--Dennis De Haan
Poor is the church that values
programs more than people.
James 2:1
Many years ago, when my father, Dr. M. R. De Haan, was president of
Radio Bible Class, a well-known minister came to our office. Initially I
was awed by the presence of this distinguished visitor.
My impression soon began to change, however, as I listened to him talk
about himself. He seemed to exemplify what the apostle Paul said a
Christian should NOT do, that is, "to think of himself more highly than he
ought to think" (Rom. 12:3).
When my father asked the noted pulpiteer about another preacher in the
same town, he ridiculed the man's ministry to those who lived "on the
other side of the tracks." I've never forgotten that incident.
What about our attitudes? Is there favoritism in our churches? Are we as
interested in the "down and outer" as much as the "up and outer"? Do we
greet those on the bottom rung of the social ladder with the same
enthusiasm we show to those who have riches and enjoy worldly prestige?
Christians should never neglect a needy soul. The Lord is not pleased when
we show undue favoritism to some and snub others.
Is the word "welcome" printed on your church bulletin? Does it apply to
everyone? - R W De Haan (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
No one is excluded
from the circle of God's grace,
We cannot get beyond His love and care;
Why then do we close our minds and turn away our face
From all who in the gospel have a share?-- Hess
A heart that is open to Christ will
be open to those He loves.
James 2:1 My brethren, do not
hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of
personal favoritism.
Million Dollar Mistake - Elisa Tinsley, in USA Today, described how
a Spokane, Washington bank lost one of its best customers, a construction
company owner named John Barrier. John Barrier had just come from a
construction site and his clothes were dirty. He went to the bank to cash
a $100 check. When he tried to get his parking slip validated, the teller
refused, saying he hadn’t conducted a transaction. “You have to make a
deposit to get your parking slip validated,” she insisted. John Barrier
told the teller he was a substantial depositor but she was obviously
doubtful. He asked to see the manager, who also refused to validate the
parking slip. The next day, John Barrier went back to the bank and
withdrew a rather large sum of money, one million dollars to be exact.
><>><>><>
Wrong Motives - Someone once penned a clever rhyme to illustrate
the problem of favoritism:
... many people go to
church,
As everyone knows;
Some go to close their eyes,
And some to eye their clothes.
><>><>><>
Favoritism Challenged -
Muretus, a wandering scholar in the Middle Ages was very learned but very
poor. In his wanderings he fell ill, and he was taken to the place where
the destitute were kept. The people who cared for him did not know that he
was a scholar and that he understood Latin. The doctors were discussing
his case in Latin, saying that he was a poor creature of value to no one
and that it was hopeless and unnecessary to expend care and money on
attention to such a worthless individual. Muretus looked up and answered
in their own Latin, “Call no man worthless for whom Christ died.”
The King of Sweden -
I remember reading a story about a
plainly dressed man who entered a church in the Netherlands and took a
seat near the front. A few minutes later a woman walked down the aisle,
saw the stranger in the place she always sat, and curtly asked him to
leave. He quietly got up and moved to a section reserved for the poor.
When the meeting was over, a friend
of the woman asked her if she knew the man she had ordered out of her
seat. “No,” she replied. Her friend then informed her, “The man you
ordered out of your seat was King Oscar of Sweden! He is here visiting the
Queen.”
James 2:5 Hath not God chosen the poor of this world?
There is nothing that men dread more
than poverty. They will break every commandment in the Decalogue rather
than be poor. But it is God’s chosen lot. He had one opportunity only of
living our life, and He chose to be born of parents too poor to present
more than two doves at his presentation in the temple. All his life was
spent among the poor. His chosen apostles and friends were, with few
exceptions, poor. He lived on charity, rode in triumph on a borrowed
steed, ate his last meal in a borrowed room, and lay in a borrowed grave.
“Hath not God chosen the poor of this world?” Why is poverty so dear to
God?
It is in harmony with the spirit of
the Gospel. — The world-spirit aggrandizes itself with the abundance of
its possessions. Its children vie with each other in luxury and display.
The spirit of Christ, on the other hand, chooses obscurity, lowliness,
humility; and with these poverty is close akin.
It compels to simpler faith in God.
— The rich man may trust Him; but the poor man must. There is so much
temptation to the well-to-do classes to interpose their wealth between
themselves and the pressure of daily need; but the poor man has no
fortress in which to hide, except the two strong arms of God. He waits on
Him for his daily bread, and gathers the manna falling straight from the
sky.
It gives more opportunities of
service. — The rich are waited on, and pay for servants to wait on those
they love. The poor, on the contrary, are called to minister to one
another, at every meal, and in all the daily round of life. Herein they
become like Him who was, and is, as one that serveth, and who became poor,
that through his poverty we might be rich. (Meyer, F. B. Our Daily Homily)
James 2:9 If you show
partiality, you commit sin.
A PREJUDICED USHER - In his autobiography, Mahatma Gandhi wrote that
during his student days he read the Gospels seriously and considered
converting to Christianity. He believed that in the teachings of Jesus he
could find the solution to the caste system that was dividing the people
of India.
So one Sunday he decided to attend services at a nearby church and talk to
the minister about becoming a Christian. When he entered the sanctuary,
however, the usher refused to give him a seat and suggested that he go
worship with his own people. Gandhi left the church and never returned.
"If Christians have caste differences
also," he said, "I might as well remain a Hindu."
That usher's prejudice not only
betrayed Jesus but also turned a person away from trusting Him as Savior.
The "prejudiced usher" described in today's Bible passage welcomed a
wealthy visitor but insulted a poor one. Perhaps he felt he was doing his
job and only carrying out the wishes of the members in the church. But he
displayed bad manners, and he was guilty of a sin as serious as murder and
adultery (James 2:9-11).
When people visit your church, do you warmly welcome them regardless of
their race of social status? -Haddon W Robinson (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
God's love that drew
salvation's plan
Embraces every class of man;
It breaks the toughest racial wall
Because it offers Christ to all.--Dennis De Haan
Prejudice distorts what it sees,
deceives when it talks, and destroys when it acts.
James 2:10 "Whoever shall
keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty in all."
GOD'S MERCY SYSTEM - In the United States justice system, it's important
that jurors have an open mind. They can't have their minds made up before
they get into the courtroom. They must always remember that a person is
considered
innocent until proven guilty.
Even for those who never expect to find themselves on the wrong side of
the law, it's a comfort to know that guilt is not assumed, but has to be
proven.
Yet, this system of justice is not like the one God has devised for
mankind. We are declared guilty before we even enter His courtroom! And
though that may not sound fair, it is. God's perfect holiness demands it.
In a courtroom, when a person is found guilty, he or she faces punishment.
But the wonderful thing about God's courtroom is that when we admit our
guilt, we are offered mercy! We are all guilty and face an eternal
life-sentence of death. Yet the penalty for sin is meted out only to those
who refuse to acknowledge their sin, and who reject God's forgiveness
through Jesus Christ.
Guilty -- that's our status. But we can be granted forgiveness and be
pardoned from our sin through the blood of Jesus Christ. That's God's
mercy system! -- J D Branon (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
God's pardon is so
full and free,
For Jesus died on Calvary;
It's granted to each sinful soul
Who truly longs to be made whole. -- Dennis De Haan
God's justice condemns us -- but His
mercy redeems us
James 2.12. So speak ye, and
so do, as men that are to be judged by a law of liberty.
Again the purpose of James is practical, but the arresting word here is
the description of the standard of speech and action as "a law of
liberty." The phrase had already been used, as a definition of "the
perfect law" (r. 25). Its repetition shows that it suggests an aspect of
law which impressed the writer, and it is interesting to remember that the
phrase is peculiar to James. He had referred a little before to the "royal
law"—"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself"—words taken from the law of
Moses, and emphasized in the teaching of Jesus. Was it not the sum-total
of the conception of life as implicated in that "royal law" that he
described as a "law of liberty"? To keep that law is only possible when
that which the Lord had connected with it is obeyed: "Thou shalt love the
Lord thy God." When that law is kept, the soul is set free from all the
bondage which results from the breaking of any of the enactments of the
moral law. The law of liberty is the law which defines our relationship to
God and man as love-mastered. To speak and do under that impulse, is to be
free indeed. If that law be disobeyed, if no mercy be shown, then judgment
based upon that law will show no mercy. Love is the most vigilant and
severe sentinel that watches words and works. If it be obeyed, then is
life a life of liberty. If it be disobeyed, then are we in bondage every
way. (Morgan, G. C. Life Applications from Every Chapter of the Bible).
James 2:14
The well-known apparent “conflict” between James and Paul focuses
especially on this verse. The Apostle Paul says emphatically: “For by
grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the
gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8,
9). Yet James, also an apostle, insists: “But wilt thou know, O vain
man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:20) There is no real
conflict, of course. In our text verse, there is a definite article before
the word “faith.” That is, James’ question is, literally, “Can that
faith save him?” This is obviously intended as a rhetorical question,
with a negative answer. In the context, James is saying that a
“profession of faith” is not enough to produce salvation, if that faith
“have not works.”Since that kind of faith does not save, then what kind
of faith does save? The answer is given by Paul, in the very verses quoted
above. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that—i.e., that
faith (which is the inference in the original)—is not of yourselves: it is
the gift of God.” In other words, true saving faith is not a
man-generated faith of some kind; it is a supernatural gift of God!” And
that faith does save, because it is part of the new nature implanted by
the Holy Spirit when a new believer is born again. Furthermore, this faith
does inevitably produce good works, for the verse following says that “we
are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God
hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
Faith must be faith in something, of course, and true saving faith must
have its proper object. It must be centered in the saving gospel of Jesus
Christ as revealed in His inerrant Word. Such faith will inevitably result
in a changed life and good works, as well as a sound and growing
confidence in the deity of Christ, His substitutionary death and bodily
resurrection, the full authority of Scripture and the assurance of one’s
personal salvation. That is the faith that saves. - HMM
James 2:14 What use is it, my
brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith
save him?
Kent Hughes writes about a cartoon in The New Yorker that showed a large
sign out in front of a church which read:
“The Lite Church: 24% Fewer
Commitments, Home of the 7.5% tithe, fifteen-minute sermons,
forty-five-minute worship services. We have only eight commandments—your
choice. We use just three spiritual laws. Everything you’ve wanted in a
church … and less!”
Unfortunately that cartoon paints an
accurate picture. Many people today are looking for a “lite church,” a
“lite faith,” and a “lite commitment.” In the passage we’re studying
today, James asks each of us a question, “Is your faith genuine?” How can
we know if we have real faith or “lite faith?”...
Belief and Behavior—If you don’t
live it, you don’t believe it.
Faith in many ways is like a
wheelbarrow. You have to put some real push behind it to make it work
A line from a Rich Mullins song
says,
“Faith without works is like a screen
door on a submarine.”
It’s worthless and it sinks. Do you
claim to have faith? Does your life really show it? A workless faith is a
worthless faith. We must ask ourselves, “If I were arrested for being a
Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict me?”
From the Peanut Gallery: The Peanuts
comic strip written by Charles Schulz once featured a brilliant
illustration of faith without works: Charlie Brown and Linus come across
Snoopy shivering in the snow. Charlie says, “Snoopy looks kind of cold,
doesn’t he?” Linus replies, “I’ll say. Maybe we’d better go over and
comfort him.” They walk over to the dog, pat his head, and Charlie Brown
says, “Be of good cheer, Snoopy.” Linus adds, “Yes, be of good cheer.” In
the final frame, the boys are walking away, still bundled up in their
winter coats. Snoopy is still shivering, and over his head is a big “?”.
><>><>><>
Faith without Works: “No man can come to Christ by faith and remain the
same anymore than he can come into contact with a 220-volt wire and remain
the same.”—Warren Wiersbe
><>><>><>
“A person who professes Christ but who does not live a Christ-honoring,
Christ-obeying life is a fraud.”—John MacArthur
><>><>><>
“Faith alone justifies, but the faith that justifies is never alone.”
— John Calvin
><>><>><>
A Story of Fruitful Faith - In the late ’60s and early ’70s, Keith Green
was highly influenced by his culture. As an aspiring and incredibly
talented musician on the rise, he experimented with eastern religions and
drugs. In 1975, however, he gave his life to Jesus Christ and his music
changed to reflect an energetic faith. While inspirational or worshipful,
it was also exhortative, asking questions like, “How can you be so dead,
when you’ve been so well fed?” And, “How can you be so numb, not to care
if they come? You close your eyes and pretend the job’s done; don’t close
your eyes and pretend the job’s done!” His life reflected his faith: he
took in the homeless, the drunks, the drug abusers, and anyone else. His
Spirit-filled music and ministry to the needy yielded much fruit. (all the
above from Morgan, R. J. Nelson's Annual Preacher's Sourcebook : 2004
Edition. Page 218. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers)
><>><>><>
An old boatman painted the word
“faith” on one oar of his boat and “works” on the other. He was asked
his reason for this. In answer, he slipped the oar with “faith” into the
water and rowed. The boat, of course, made a very tight circle. Returning
to the dock, the boatman then said, “Now, let’s try ‘works’ without
‘faith’ and see what happens. The oar marked “works” was put in place
and the boatman began rowing with just the “works” oar. Again the boat
went into a tight circle but in the opposite direction. When the boatman
again returned to the wharf, he interpreted his experiment in these strong
and convincing words, “You see, to make a passage across the lake, one
needs both oars working simultaneously in order to keep the boat in a
straight and narrow way. If one does not have the use of both oars, he
makes no progress either across the lake nor as a Christian. (10,000
sermon illustrations. Dallas: Biblical Studies Press)
James 2:17
When we believe in Christ as Savior and Lord, we long to express our faith
through some act of love. The apostle Paul spoke of “faith working
through love” (Gal. 5:16). We demonstrate what we believe, not only by
what we say but also by what we do. The genuineness of our faith,
therefore, is proven by our works. An incident in the life of John Wesley
illustrates this truth. An associate of Wesley, Samuel Bradburn, was
highly respected by his friends and used by God as an effective preacher.
On one occasion he was in rather desperate financial need. When Wesley
learned of his circumstances, he sent him a five-pound note (then worth
about $10) with the following letter:
“Dear Sammy: ‘Trust in the Lord, and
do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.’
Yours affectionately, John Wesley.”
Bradburn’s reply was prompt.
“Rev. and Dear Sir: I have often been
struck with the beauty of the passage of Scripture quoted in your letter,
but I must confess that I never saw such a useful expository note on it
before.”
Someone has said,
“Pious talk cannot take the place of
downright helpfulness.”
This is especially true in the
matter of both faith and love. To profess faith in Jesus Christ as Savior
and Lord and ignore the needs of fellow believers is incongruous, for
“the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit”
(Ro 5:5). Let’s learn from John Wesley and from James by giving a
practical exposition of our faith every day. - Paul R VanGorder
There are two parts to the Gospel.
The first part is believing it, and the second part is behaving it. The
hearer only is the one who is satisfied with just believing without
behaving.
James 2:19 "The devils also
believe, and tremble."
If there be a faith (and there is) which leaves a man just what he was,
and permits him to indulge in sin, it is the faith of devils. Perhaps not
so good as that, for "the devils believe and tremble," whereas these
hypocrites profess to believe and yet dare to defy God and seem to have
no fear of him whatsoever. (C H Spurgeon)
James 2:20
In nature, lightning and thunder present a striking illustration of the
relationship between faith and works. When lightning flashes across the
sky, we know that the roar of thunder will follow. Without lightning,
there would be no thunder, because the one is the cause of the other.
Likewise, good works always accompany saving faith, because one causes the
other.
We must keep before us the clear truth that we are saved by grace and
grace alone. Ephesians 2:8-9 says,
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of
yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should
boast."
But many believers who glibly quote this passage ignore the verse that
follows: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good
works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (v. 10).
In the same manner that thunder contributes nothing to lightning, good
works add nothing to our salvation. Rather, they are the "sound" of faith
and will follow every genuine conversion experience. The one without the
other is not the real thing.
Genuine faith is always evident by what follows—a life of good works. —R W
De Haan. (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
Faith without works is presumptuous; faith with works is precious.
James 2:23 [Abraham] was called the friend of God.
Our Unfailing Friend: As a young man, Joseph Scriven had been engaged to a
woman he deeply love. But tragedy struck the night before their wedding
when the boat she was in capsized and she drowned. In the hope of
forgetting the shock, which he never did, Joseph left his home in Ireland
and went to Canada.
There he taught school and served as a tutor. He chose to live very
simply, spending his money and strength in generously providing for
destitute people. At times he even gave away his own clothing. He was
considered an eccentric by some, yet all he tried to do was obey God's
Word as best he could understand it.
In his loneliness, Joseph Scriven needed a steadfast friend. Having found
that friend in Jesus Christ, he wrote these simple words, which movingly
express his experience:
What a friend we have
in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Even if we have been blessed with
deeply enriching friendships, we all need Joseph Scriven's Friend. But
before we can know Jesus as our Friend, we must know Him as our Savior.
Then, through all of our changing circumstances, He will be the One we can
depend on -- our unfailing Friend. -Vernon Grounds (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
Christ's friendship prevails even when human friendship fails.
R C Sproul writes...
James argues straightforwardly that
Abraham was justified by works. When was Abraham justified by works? When
he offered Isaac on the altar. To understand this, we need to bear in mind
that James is using the term ‘justification’ in a different sense, with
a different nuance, than Paul does. Paul deals with the issue of how a
sinner is reconciled to a just and holy God. He uses the term
‘justification’ in its supreme theological sense. James, however, is
asking how a person is justified before men, not before God. His question
is: How do we know that a person has authentic faith? Jesus said, “By
their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:16). James labors in
the second chapter of his epistle to show that a person’s true faith is
shown outwardly by acts of obedience or works of righteousness. He says,
“Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I
do” (James 2:18). Now, does God need to see your works to know if
you have faith or not? Of course not. James is speaking of man’s sight.
Paul says that in God’s sight, Abraham was justified by faith (Genesis
15). However, James says that in man’s sight the most telling proof that
Abraham was a justified man is that he was willing to obey God even to the
point of offering up his only son on the altar. (Tabletalk, May,
1989)(
James
3
James 3
Experts tell us that people often hide what they are trying to say
behind a wall of words. This is a kind of doubletalk in which their words
do not coincide with their feelings. Gerald Nierenberg, a New York lawyer,
wrote a book about this problem called Meta-Talk: Guide to Hidden Meanings
in Conversation. In it he gives 350 examples of verbal distortion.
A communication consultant who holds workshops on this subject says many
people fear that honesty in speech will cost them friend-ships, love, or
respect. So they either keep their lips zipped or say something other than
what they mean. Shyness, lack of self-worth, fear of displaying ignorance,
fear of criticism, and fear of hurting someone's feelings also may impede
honest communication.
Christians are not immune to this problem. Trying to be both loving and
truthful can be extremely difficult. The Bible, however, provides a
balanced and optimistic approach to this dilemma. Being honest with people
may hurt, but if we speak kindly and with compassion we give them the
support they need to face reality.
The third chapter of James indicates that divine wisdom can help us talk
effectively, for it is "first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to
yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without
hypocrisy" (v. 17). Believers who let these characteristics govern their
speech will not have to hide behind a wall of words. —M R De Haan II (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
Gentle words fall lightly, but they have great weight. .
James 3
Author Mark Twain was often outspoken about his bitterness toward the
things of God. Sadly, church leaders were largely to blame for his
becoming hostile to the Bible and the Christian faith. As Twain grew up,
he knew elders and deacons who owned slaves and abused them, and he knew
ministers who used the Bible to justify slavery. He heard men use foul
language and saw them practice dishonesty during the week after speaking
piously in church on Sunday. Although he saw genuine love for the Lord
Jesus in some people, including his mother and his wife, he was never able
to understand the bad teaching and poor example of certain church leaders.
Leadership is a privilege, and with privilege comes responsibility. God
holds teachers of His truth doubly responsible because they are in
positions where they can either draw people toward Christ or drive them
away from Him.
Serving as an elder, a deacon, a Sunday school teacher, or a Bible club
leader is an awesome responsibility. Those who are called to these
positions are responsible to lead people to the Savior rather than away
from Him. According to James 3, they can do this by exemplifying true
wisdom, which is "pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of
mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy" (v. 17).
—H V Lugt. (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. Al
