The letter of James : Bible Series
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Grab your bible and cup (or two) of coffee, and pop a squat here at Autumn's Table, because we are starting a new blog series over the book of
J A M E S
Background
› Author: James
› Known as the Half-brother of Jesus
› Written A.D mid-late 40s (one of earliest books in new testament) directed toward Jewish Christians outside of
Palestine.
› Epistle writing, which means it is a letter to individuals or churches; opposed to gospel, that focus on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
› He addresses issues to the people within his own church.
› James was the leader of of the Jerusalem church
Theme
› To live out ones faith, to be a DOER and not just a HEARER of the word.
› Developed in the view of a social conflict between the rich and poor within the church.
› James brings attention to worldly considerations and the challenges it brings in daily life. He encourages his readers to seek divine wisdom to work though theses problems and to draw nearer to God.
Chapter One: v 1-18
Testing of Your Faith †
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
› Trials produce spiritual maturity and should be viewed as JOYFUL.
3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance (steadfastness)
› Testing of faith creates spiritual enduring, and COMPLETE JOY in the Lord who is sovereign. For Jesus was tested in the wilderness, and a positive test is intended to make ones faith genuine.
› STEADFASTNESS: A life of faithful endurance amid troubles and afflictions
4 Let perseverance (steadfastness) finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
› Steadfastness allows believers to grow in holiness, leading to perfection, yet only perfected when Jesus returns.
5 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.
› Wisdom, in the OT, is a God-given / centered gift given to aid in the practical issues life brings.
› How to gain wisdom you might ask? PRAYER
6 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.
› "you must believe and not doubt" is called FAITH - the trust and confidence in God
› Doubting looks like this, bouncing between God's plan, and trusting the worlds or your own abilities, making you like the waves of the sea -- unpredictable and unstable.
7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
› Doubting = dishonoring
8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
› Double-minded : Torn between God and the world
9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.
› James exhorts the poor with glory in their high status in Christ. The church is meant to be "countercultural", reversing the worldly values.
10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.
› James here exhorts the rich to boast in their humiliation - realizing their wealth is temporary and hold no value or advantage in the eyes of God.
11 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.
› James echos Jesus' warning that "You cannot serve both God and money" (Matthew 6:24)
12 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.
› Blessed are those who persevere through these trials, those who do, receive the crown of everlasting life that has been promised to those who love the Lord.
› Also know, no one is perfect, therefore failure is inevitable as humans. We are bound to sin, but freed through Christ.
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;
› God TESTS his people to strengthen their character, but he NEVER tempts (lures into sin).
› He does not seek to entice or harm our faith
14 but each person is tempted when they are lured and enticed by their own evil desire.
› WE are temped by our own desires and sinful nature
› "Lured in" is a fishing metaphor. Meaning we are drawn away from shelter and trapped by a deadly hook.
› Satan seeks to devour and snag you with the hook of desire and temptation.
15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
› What a powerful verse, scary to read, however rests heavy on the faithful heart.
› Metaphor of birth/rebirth, a dramatic deception shows the result when one gives into temptation
16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.
› Live awake, do not show your back to evil, for it will sneak up on you. Never think you can do it alone.
17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
› Reminder of God's goodness
› When strengthened, you become more reflective of God's character. For God's intentions are GOOD, and nothing is good unless it's origin is from above.
› God is the creator of Heavenly lights - a beautiful gift.
› He does not change like a shadow produced by day and night. He is consistent, constant, and eternal.
18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first-fruits of all he created.
› From the womb, he formed and created you perfectly and uniquely. He chose to create you and place you on his earth for a PURPOSE.
› The first-fruits of the harvest are pioneer believers that prelude the conversions yet to come.
Conclusion
The book of James is a great starting point in the bible. It gives guidance, reassurance, and hope.
It is an easier book to understand in literary terms, and really introduces the ways of good and evil, and how to live as a Christian.
I hope you join me for this journey of walking though James, we are going to have so much fun!!
Please message me with any questions or comments!!
In Christ,
Autumn Olson ✝
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