JOURNALING IN JAMES

JOURNALING IN JAMES
(Practical answers to life’s difficult questions)

1. WHAT CAN READING JAMES DO FOR ME?

James is one of my favorite books of the Bible, because it is so practical. Some say that the book of James is the Proverbs of the New Testament, because both books cover many of the same themes. For example, much of Proverbs deals with what true wisdom is in contrast to the fool, and James deals with wisdom and contrasts it with “earthly wisdom” (Proverbs 1:7; James 3:17-19). The same can be said about the dangers of the “tongue.” Both books warn us of how easy it is use our tongue as a weapon to fight with, instead of using it for good to turn others back to God (Proverbs 15:4: 11:30; James 5:19-20).

It can also be pointed out how James deals with many of the same themes that Jesus does in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus talks about being humble, and so does James. Jesus talks about being “salt” and “light” and James as well tells us that if we really believe, it will affect how we behave. Both deal with heart attitudes, and both tell us how to be blessed in a real way by God.

Still, others point out the parallels or the contrasts between Paul and James. For me, I think when we understand James in its proper context we will see more ways where the two actually compliment each other in their teaching rather than being contradictory. One thing on this note is to understand the context of each book.

As we begin JOURNALING THROUGH JAMES, I hope you will come along for the ride, and begin today by reading through this very short but powerful and practical book called, James. The book title bears the authors name, James. This is the James that historical documents say was nicknamed “camel knees” because He spent so much time alone with God in prayer. James was known throughout his life as a very principled man, and a man of integrity. He was a man who didn’t just “talk the talk,” he also “walked the walk.” This is the kind of guy I want to hear from. I believe he has a lot of helpful truth for us all.

“While our faith walk, to be certain, requires a growth of knowledge about the Word, James exhorts us to not stop there. Many Christians will find this epistle challenging as James presents 60 obligations in only 108 verses. He focuses on the truths of Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount and motivates us to act upon what He taught. The epistle also puts to rest the idea that one can become a Christian and yet continue living in sin, exhibiting no fruit of righteousness. Such a “faith,” James declares, is shared by the demons who “believe and tremble” (James 2:19). Yet such a “faith” cannot save because it is not verified by the works that always accompany true saving faith (Ephesians 2:10). Good works are not the cause of salvation, but they are the result of it.” (Got Questions.org comments)

“If we practice our faith, it will be seen in how we face trials (chapter 1), in the way we treat people (chapter 2), in what we say (chapter 3), in how we do with sin in our lives (chapter 4), and in our prayer life (chapter 5).” (Warren Wiersbe)

Dear Lord, as I undertake a devotional look at James I ask that I will become more transformed into your likeness as a result of the nuggets of truth that are unturned in the gold mine of your Word. In Jesus name, Amen.
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2. WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TO BE A SLAVE? (James 1:1)

James 1:1 (NLT) This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I know to some this must seem like a strange title for one to identify themselves as a “slave.” How could this possibly be considered a term of honor? Slavery was so common during the time of this writing that it has been estimated that one quarter of the population in the Roman empire were slaves. Some estimates are as high as 40%. Many civilizations practiced slavery throughout history, and it is still going on today. It is a terrible evil. So, why would James choose to use this term to describe the kind of relationship He had with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ? Let me suggest several reasons why?

1. First, when James said He was the “slave” of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, he was making it clear that mentioning these two did not violate the principle that Jesus spoke of when He said, “No man can serve two Masters” (Matthew 6:24). The reason this is not being violated is when Jesus Christ is honored with the same terms as God the Father it is James’s acknowledgment that Jesus is everything that God is. Jesus and God the Father are one (John 10:30) and are worshipped together as God.

2. It is a common term used by many saints of God throughout the Old Testament as well as the New.
→ Joshua was the slave of God (Joshua 24:9).
→ David was the slave of God (2 Samuel 3:18; Psalm 78:70).
→ Paul was the slave of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:1; Phil. 1:1; Titus 1:1).
→ James was the slave of God (James 1:1).
→ Jude was the slave of God (Jude 1).
→ The prophets were the slaves of God (Amos 3:7; Jeremiah 7:25).
→ Christian believers are said to be the slaves of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:18; 1 Cor. 7:22; Ephes. 6:6; Col. 4:12; 2 Tim. 2:24).

3. Before James’ conversion to Christ, he knew Jesus only as his half-brother. He was in a state of unbelief, and Christ’s divinity was veiled from him. This clearly demonstrates that if God does not open a persons heart, like He did Peter’s, then we all will stay forever in this state of unbelief (Matthew 16:13-18; Matthew 11:25-27). But, God did open this unconvinced man’s heart (John 7:5), and after the resurrection he became convinced. The fact that this one who was so unconvinced, was now willing to consider himself the slave of Jesus Christ shows the level of his commitment and genuiness of his own conversion. James clearly understood the slave/Master relationship, so he was not using this term lightly at all. Let us take a look at some of the things James understood about this relationship, and we will soon see why James considered this term “slave” a title of honor.

a. The slave was owned by his master; he was totally possessed by his master. This is what James meant. James was purchased and possessed by Christ, the Son of the living God.

b. The slave existed for his master and he had no other reason for existence. He had no personal rights whatsoever. The same was true with James: he existed only for Christ. His rights were the rights of Christ only.

c. The slave served his master and he existed only for the purpose of service. He was at the master’s disposal any hour of the day. So it was with James: he lived only to serve Christ—hour by hour and day by day.

d. The slave’s will belonged to his master. He was allowed no will and no ambition other than the will and ambition of the master. He was completely subservient to the master and owed total obedience to the will of the master. James belonged to Christ. In fact, he fought and struggled to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:3-5, esp. 2 Cor. 10:5).

e. There is a fifth and most precious thing that James meant by “a slave of Jesus Christ.” He meant that he had the highest and most honored and kingly profession in all the world. Men of God, the greatest men of history, have always been called “the servants of God.” It was the highest title of honor. The believer’s slavery to Jesus Christ is no cringing, cowardly, shameful subjection. It is the position of honor—the honor that bestows upon a man the privileges and responsibilities of serving the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Dear Lord, I thank you for saving me, and taking me into your household so that I can be your slave for life. Help me to reflect upon what it really means to be a slave of Christ, and give me the grace and strength to rejoice in it, and serve you gladly throughout the rest of the days of my life. In Jesus name, Amen.
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3. WHAT ARE SOME STEPS I CAN TAKE TO REALLY BE A DOER OF THE WORD? (James 1:2-16)

James 1:5 (NIV)
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

According to James chapter one, there are three practical things to consider to help us stay on track with God. We need to seek wisdom from God (vs. 1-11), understand the goodness of God (vs. 12-20), and give heed to the direct commands of the Word of God (vs 18; 1 Peter 1:22-23).

Let us consider what it means to seek the Wisdom of God. Having the benefit of the full revelation of scripture, we should be able to get clarity on how to do this.

Since the Word of God (vs18,21-22) and prayer (vs5) are mentioned together I think it is important to realize that this is an exercise that ought to always be done together. We should read the Bible and have good study tools to further explore what the text is saying. Things like a Bible Dictionary, concordance, Study Bible, and at least one good commentary on the whole Bible. My favorite is the BELIEVERS BIBLE COMMENTARY. I also like John MaCarthur’s Topical Bible, which is excellent, and Vine’e Expository Dictionary of New and Old Testament words. These tools are helpful for the person who wants to explore the truth of scripture for themselves. But, all the reading and Bible study will do for us if we leave out prayer is that it will give us INFORMATION, without TRANSFORMATION. I am beginning to learn that the best way to reach up to God, is by getting down on my knees before God. Prayer puts us in a spirit to receive from God so we can hear Gods’ voice. The Psalmist David prayed a prayer that I think we all should pray as we approach the study of the Word of God (Psalm 119:18).

Psalms 119:18 (NLT)
Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.

I think it is just as dangerous to pray without the assistance of the Word as it is to read the Word without prayer. It is like breathing in, but not breathing out. Breathing in, is taking in the Word of Life, and breathing out is prayer. They are meant to go together. If we read the Bible for knowledge only, then we will be no more successful with life than Adam and Eve were after they got “knowledge” through the “tree of knowledge.” When we don’t seek “life” from the scriptures we are like the companions of Paul on the road to Damascus. The travelling companions all heard “a voice,” but they were left perplexed and without clarity. Only Paul received illumination and communication and He got to hear from heaven. This to me, is what it is like when we do not see Christ from scripture as the very nourishment for our souls. If we read the Bible for LIFE, then we gain more life insight. This should make sense in light of what 1 Cor 1:30 says about wisdom. This verse clearly tells us that the real source of all wisdom is Christ. Christ is the “wisdom of God.” So, we can really only grow in healthy wisdom as we grow in our relationship to Christ. One of the great ways to accomplish this in my opinion is through prayer and the reading of the Word. We all go through trials and temptations that are tests of life and in order to get through them and get out of them what God wants us to learn we need wisdom that only God can give, and since He is willing to give it we should be eager to ask for it.

Lord, Help me today to cry out for more wisdom in my life, and to cry out for more of Christ. To be closer to Jesus is the ultimate goal, because in Christ “are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

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4. WHO IS THE SOURCE OF ALL “THE GOOD” THAT COMES TO ME? ( James 1:17-18)

James 1:17 (NLT)
Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

James tells us that “every good gift” that we recieve in life, “comes down from above.” It comes from a God, who is not like the shifting shadows. He is a God who does not change. We are not in heaven yet, so much of what goes on down here is not good, but in amazing ways God can even take the evil intentions of Satan or others and cause it to work for our good. This is the power of a Good God. He tells us in the Psalms, “For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield; the Lord bestows [present] grace and favor and [future] glory (honor, splendor, and heavenly bliss)! No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11 AMP). This is the nature of the God of heaven. He delights to do his creatures good. But, even God is limited to his nature and character in the goodness he lavishes upon us. If we persist in rebellion we will cut ourselves off from his goodness (Isaiah 59:1-2). I think this is why James reminds us of God’s goodness. Paul does as well in Romans 2:4 where the only time in the whole book of Romans the word “repentance” is found He tells us that,”the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.” It is so necessary that we “confess our sins to God” and walk “with clean hands and a pure heart” (Psalm 24:4) before God if we want the “goodness of God” to keep on flowing throughout our life. In Psalm 84:11 the condition is to walk “uprightly.” In Psalm 34:10, where he says, “the young lions do lack and suffer hunger, but they that seek the Lord shall not want any GOOD THING” the condition there is to “seek the Lord.” This is why James urges us to seek wisdom from God. This good God wants to reward us with the “crown of life” that is promised to those who are victorious through trials and temptations. It is a special blessing promised to those who pesevere. It has been His plan for us before we were born (Eph 1:4-5) and began to be manifested when we were born again (vs 18) that He desires to declare us to be His “prized possession.” (vs 18 NLT).

James 1:18 (NLT)
He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

Dear Lord, I ask that you will help me today to be very focused about how special I am to you. Knowing how much you love me motivates me to want to love you back. You have always been so good to me in so many ways. Help me to live my life in such a way that others will see your goodness on display. Help me to be like John the Baptist, who said, “He must increase, but I must decrease. May the world see, “Christ in me, the hope of glory” is my prayer.

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5. WHY A CHRISTIAN SHOULD NEVER GIVE UP, GIVE IN, OR GIVE OUT? (James 1:21)

James 1:21 (AMP)
So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls.

Every Christian has three enemies. The “world” (the world system in its opposition to God), “the flesh” (my own self getting in the way), and the Devil (a very real foe that should not be underestimated). I must admit my biggest issues are not with the Devil, they are my own flesh, and I think many believers would agree. Having said that, I do know that the Devil has a stradegy to disrupt every Chrisian’s life. One thing Satan cannot do, is steal away the “eternal life” you have “in Christ.” Once God claims you for himself you are in the family. Satan knows this, so He does all He can to try rob Christians of their “joy” in the Lord. When David sinned and later repented, He did not pray for salvation again, He prayed God would restore to him the “joy of his salvation” (Psalm 51). I say all that so that we can understand what James is saying in context. In James 1:18 we are told how we got into the family of God in the first place. We did not “join” the family of God, we were born into it, by the Word of truth. We know from studying other passages like (Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:23 & John 3:5) that the Holy Spirit and the Holy Word work together to produce the New Birth. There is mystery in all this for sure, but it is clear that God awakens the dead soul by His Spirit, and through the Word, and we become responsive to the gospel and repent and believe in Christ. Well that is how everything begins. So, how do we continue on in our spiritual journey with God? Are we left now to fend for ourselves? James answers that question very well. Since the Christian life begins with the power of the gospel (Romans 1:16; James 1:18), then we can only grow in that spiritual journey by continuing to nourish ourselves in the very Word that God used to bring us to salvation. This is what James says in James 1:21. Please take a look at this powerful verse in the Message and ask the Lord to burn it deep into your soul.

James 1:21 (MSG)
So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.

This is why it is so important to read the Word along with prayer. We should go much slower through the Word so we can digest it bite by bite. If our goal is only to get through it, then it will not get through to us.

Dear Lord, I ask that you will help me to nourish myself up in your Word so much that as I mark up my Bible with notes and hightlights so much that it doesn’t look anything like it did when it was new, that the same could be said of me. I want to grow in my journey with you to the point where you have made a real mark on me, of life transformation. This is what I want from your Word. I need your help, and I ask that it will not just go to my head but to my heart as well, so that I can then act upon what you show me so that I and others can see change in me that will bring you glory (Matthew 5:13-16). Amen.
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6. SINCE THE WORD OF GOD IS LIKE A “MIRROR,” HOW CAN I MAKE THE BEST USE OF MY MIRROR? (James 1:22-23).

James 1:22-24 (NLT) But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like

James loves to use illustrations—much like his Lord and Master and earthly brother did in his teaching. Their styles were so similar. James clearly modeled the style of the best preacher to have ever walked this earth. So James illustrates to us that the Word of God is like a “mirror.” He tells us that if we get up in the morning and just look in the mirror as a mere step in the process toward getting out the door and we pay no attention to what the mirror is pointing out to us, we are deceiving ourselves. Eve was deceived by Satan in the Garden, but many people today deceive themselves without Satan’s involvement.

The importance of the mirror was driven home to me recently when I went to my dermatologist for a routine exam. The doctor examined me all over and told me that everything looked fine, except for one thing. He proceeded to explain that there is one mole on my face that he is concerned about. I asked him what we should do about it. He suggested that we could watch it for awhile and see if there are any changes to it. That sounded good until he said that it could be the beginning stages of a melanoma! He couldn’t tell for sure, but that mole had the classic shape of cancerous moles. For me, it was a no brainer! Rather than trying to examine that mole every day, I told the doctor to get the thing off my body since it was a threat to my health. He kindly obliged and removed the mole.

For me, watching that mole would be like nursing a sin and trying to decide if I want to get rid of it or not. James teaches us that we should not just glance into the Word. James wants us to intently look into the mirror of the Word and then do something about what we see.

When my wife gets up in the morning, she spends more time in the mirror than I do. She cleanses away any oils or makeup residue on her face so she can put on a new coat of makeup. Spiritually speaking we all need to do the same thing with the Word. Once God shows us what to get rid of, we wash it off with confession of our sins to God and then we replace it with Gods’ instruction in what He calls the “perfect law of liberty.” What a Great God we have that He provides us with such a wonderful tool as “the mirror of His Word.”

Dear Lord, I thank you for the Word of God that you have given me. Help me to make it my prized possession. Make me a lover of its content so that it will affect my conduct before a watching world. You are such an amazing God to give us your Word, so help all Christians everywhere to make it their greatest earthly treasure. Amen.
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7. WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN TO BE FREE? (James 1:25)

James 1:25 (NIV)
But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-he will be blessed in what he does.

Dr. A. T. Schofield used to point out that there were three sorts of dogs in his city of London: the wild, masterless dog that roamed the streets at will, stole his meals from garbage pails, and often came to an inglorious end in the lethal chamber of the humane society; the chained dog, which could not be trusted for more than a few feet; and the dog that knew and loved his master and responded obediently to his voice. The first of these had liberty but no law; the second had law but no liberty; whereas the last enjoyed the perfect law of liberty. All men seem to be like one of these three dogs. The masses are utterly lawless when it comes to the authority of God. They are dominated by sin, and “sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4). And then, there are many who are like the dog on the leash—they have law, but no liberty. These are legalists in the religious realm. The cheerless Pharisee is the representative of thousands who, “being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God” (Rom. 10:3). But the Christian who knows the truth of New Testament deliverance is like the third dog. He needs no chain but is guided by his Master’s eye and his Master’s voice. (C. Ernest Tatham, from the book, “How May I.”, in Confident Living).

Dear Lord, It is so good to hear your voice this morning. It is so good to walk in the realm of freedom in the “green pastures” that you lead me in. I can live in this “green pasture” knowing that you are watching over me. I have such freedom here that I would be foolish to step over the fence of your Word that has set such wonderul boundaries of protection for me. Help me to not forget just how much like a sheep I am so that I will not trust my own instincts over the guidance of the Voice of my Master in the “perfect law of liberty.”
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8. HOW TO OVERCOME BEING PREJUDICE? (James 2:1-13)

James 2:1 (NLT)
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?

James addresses the assemblies by telling them how we are supposed to treat everybody with fairness and dignity. In order to do this we must put away some “stinkin thinkin” that we may have even grown up with. Our standard for how we treat others is not given to us by our parents. We should be thankful always for the good things they may have taught us, but the highest law of all, is God’s. This is at the heart of what true love is, and this is the only way to combat the evil’s of being prejudice. We all have been guilty of this in one form or another, so may God help us to see this problem in light of James’ instruction.

Jesus came teaching the importance of the life of love. He said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Joh 13:34, Joh 13:35).

James refers to this commandment of Jesus as “the royal law of love.” As the reader might suspect, he not only relates to this law of love as essential; he teaches us how to fulfill this royal law. We can do this by recognizing three things.

1. All of us have broken God’s law (Jas 2:10). James begins by reminding us that all of us have broken God’s moral law. He agrees with the apostle Paul, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23).

2. Only love can fulfill the law (Jas 2:8). In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus stated, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled” (Mat 5:17-18).

The apostle Paul continues that teaching when he writes, “Owe no one anything but to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law” (Rom 13:8). Then he continues by saying that the commandments of God’s moral law such as “you shall not murder” and “you shall not steal” and any other commandment is “summed up in this saying, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Rom 13:9-10).

Jesus understands that we cannot keep God’s moral law. However, the problem was not with His law. In fact, His law is good. The problem is with us because we are too sinful to obey it (Rom 8:1-4).

And so God has sent to us a Savior to rescue us from our sins. Jesus Christ has come to not only save us from our sins, but to live in us and through us in the person of the Holy Spirit, to heal our rebellion and free us to obey. As Paul wrote, “The law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (Gal 3:24).

3. Only Christ can supply that love (Jas 2:12, Jas 2:13). Jesus Christ is the source of agápē love. It can come only from Him. We cannot fabricate this quality of love. We cannot “fake it” or pretend that we have it. Only when we are in Christ and He is in us can we enjoy that love and express it to others.

John writes, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1Jn 4:7-8). Indeed, this love flows from God Himself. “If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit” (1Jn 4:12-13).

This dwelling in Christ and allowing Him to dwell in us in the person of the Holy Spirit is the key to the life of love and the fulfillment of the “royal law.”

In this passage, James also refers to the law of love as the law of liberty. He has come to set us free from the yoke of bondage (Gal 5:1). Jesus said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Joh 8:32).

The life of walking with Jesus Christ in the Spirit will provide the fruit of love and the joy of liberty. Only in Christ can we be authentically free!

Dear Lord, this passage of scripture has caused me to do more self-reflection to make sure that I do not see anyone with tainted glasses, but that I look at everyone in the way Jesus did. Help me to see everyone I talk to either as a person who is already “in Christ” because they are a believer, or as a person who could be transformed by Christ and “set free” to be all they can be for God, and therefore able to live out the life that God created them for (Gen 1:26-27; Rev 4:11).
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9. WHAT ARE THE EVIDENCES OF SPRITUAL DEATH? (James 2:14-26)

James 2:14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?

James 2:26 Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works

Since some like to point out how Paul and James contradict one another, I like to point out the many ways where I see it quite differently. I find in this passage in James 2:14-26 another example of that. Both Paul and James spoke about “spiritual death.”
Paul described a spiritually dead person in Eph 2:1-3 and also in 1 Timothy 5:6. Let us take a look at these two verses.

“Once you were DEAD because of your DISOBEDIENCE and your many sins. You used to LIVE IN SIN, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil-the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who REFUSE TO OBEY GOD. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.” (Eph 2:1-3 (NLT)

“Whereas she who LIVES IN PLEASURE & SELF GRATIFICATION [giving herself up to luxury and self-indulgence] is DEAD even while she [still] lives.” (1 Timothy 5:6 AMP)

Quite frankly, I think Paul and James see this issue the same way. When Paul wrote the believers at Ephesus he made it clear that, when God saved them He made them come alive out of their deadness to God. Everybody lived by Sinatra’s motto, “I did it my my!” It is true God gives everyone freedom to choose whether we want to do life our way or His way. But that is where the freedom ends. When such individuals stand before God, the choice about where they will spend eternity will be God’s. Since they chose to “do it their way” God will now do things His way, and for those who chose not to have God in their life while on earth, will not have the opportunity to be with Him in heaven.

James see’s it the same, except you might say where Paul was describing a person before conversion to Christ, James seems to be focusing on a person who claims to be a child of God, but the evidence to suport the claim is just not there. James clearly believed that if their was no evidence of a faith that moved a person to live out that faith in real, tangible and visible ways, then He beleived that one’s faith was dead. If works were non-existent, then faith is non-existent too.

Now, James did not believe salvation was of works (James 1:18,21), but He did beleive that any faith that was real would have evidence to back it up. “Saving faith” leads a person to act for the good on behalf of themselves and others as Abraham and Rahab did. True faith demonstrates one’s willingness to put their life on the line and their faith under fire for God. Both Paul and Jesus agreed that if true salvation was at the “root” of ones life, then their would be corresponding “fruit” to match it (Eph 2:8-10; Titus 2:11-14 & John 3:8; Luke 6:46-49).

Dear Lord, I thank you for bringing me out of darkness and death, to light and life “in Christ.” That is the only reason I can claim to be a New Creature in Christ Jesus. It is true that every Christian has “baggage” and messes up, more often than we care to admit, but the great thing about it all, is that the direction of every Christian’s life is to move forward with God. There may be seasons in our lives where we feel we are making little progress in our spiritual journey. It may seem like we are taking three steps forward, only to then take two steps back. That however is still ground that is gained in our relationship journey with you Lord. Help me to pursue you with all my heart, and help me to encourage others to do the same. In Jesus name, Amen.

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10. WHAT IS THE WORLD’S SMALLEST BUT LARGEST TROUBLEMAKER? (James 3:1-12)

James 3:12 (MSG) Apple trees don’t bear strawberries, do they? Raspberry bushes don’t bear apples, do they? You’re not going to dip into a polluted mud hole and get a cup of clear, cool water, are you?

In every chapter of this little book James has something to say about the tongue. Once again this is a lot like Proverbs and the teaching of Jesus too, who warned, “For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced.” (Matthew 12:37 AMP) I know there is not a one of us that have not from time to time, “opened our mouth and inserted our foot!” Even though James mentions the tongue in every chapter (James 1:19; 2:12; 3:1-12; 4:11-16; 5:9,11,13-16), it is in James chapter three that James decides to tackle this issue head on. After reading this chapter it becomes clear to me that the tongue is indeed, “the world’s smallest but largest troublemaker.” I am not the first to say it, but it is worth repeating. Having said that, we would be making a big mistake if we thought that the tongue could be tamed if we merely focus more time on the tongue itself. Learning to use words wisely comes from focusing more on the inner life, rather than on the tongue itself, more on the SOURCE, rather than on the OUTFLOW (see vs 11-12). I think James makes it quite clear that, if we have corrupt speech, it must be coming from a corrupt heart. It is not cosmetic surgury that is needed on our tongue when we have this habitual problem, it is a broken and repentant heart that is needed. Among the many things that Jesus said that “come from within” and defile the man, one of those is “blasphemy” (Mark 7:21-23). So, both Jesus and James would tell us that we need “heart renovation” and this is done only as we turn our hearts and lives and wills fully over to the Lord’s control (Romans 12:1-2).

Dear Heavenly Father, I ask that you will help me in this area to be so filled with the Spirit and your Word that these two things control my mind, my heart and my speech. I need your help with this Lord, because I am no different than any other. Often I find myself doing what James says in James 3:2 …”We get it wrong nearly every time we open our mouths…” (MSG). I pray that the words I share with other people will be words that will build up and not tear down. Even if I must point out some issue or problem help me to do so with a “gentle spirit” recognizing that I may be needing the same kind of help from that person soon myself (Gal 6:1). In Jesus name, Amen.
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11. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A WISE PERSON? (James 3:13-18)

As I reflect upon this question, my mind immediately goes back to the very first pastor I ever sat under. He used to say, “you could be educated, by reading all the books in all the libraries of this world, but if you have not read the bible as one of those books and applied it to your heart, then you are not really educated at all.” I agree with that statement, and so would James and Jesus. They both talk about what a truly wise person looks like. Jesus said it in Matthew 7:24-27.

“These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit–but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.
“But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.” (Matthew 7:24-27 MSG)

James, just like Jesus, contrasts true and false wisdom, or He prefers to call it, “earthly” and “heavenly” wisdom.

“Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom. It’s the furthest thing from wisdom–it’s animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats.
Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.” (James 3:13-18 MSG)

Now, there really is nothing difficult to understand about what Jesus and James are saying. Is it not true that our biggest issue with the Bible is not that we cannot understand it? It is true that there parts of it that is “hard to understand” (2 Peter 3:16), but for passages like the ones in front of us right now, our biggest problem is with the IMPLEMENTATION, not the INFORMATION.

Dear Lord, Help me to exercise true godly wisdom by the way I apply myself to the study of the Word for the purpose of learning more about following Christ. Help me to learn how to get along well with others, for the glory of God. In Jesus name, Amen.
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12. WHO IS MY BIGGEST ENEMY? (James 4:1-12)

James 4:1-3 (MSG) Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves.
2 You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it, would you? 3 And why not? Because you know you’d be asking for what you have no right to. You’re spoiled children, each wanting your own way.

In the context of James 4:1-12 it is clear that the three main enemies of a child of God is “the world” (vs 4), “the Devil” (vs 7), and “the flesh” (“the desires that battle within you” vs 1 NIV). Let us briefly deal with each of these three enemies of our souls.

It is obvious to me that the believer’s that James was writing to were not “resisting the Devil” like they should have been. I am not talking about just saying to the Devil, “I rebuke you!” Quite honestly, I don’t think He scares that easily. The best way to combat this foe is to repent of our “pride” and humble ourselves, by drawing nigh to God. The more we draw nigh to God the more we will be able to resist sin and Satan. It is kind of like drawing close to a magnet. The closer the metal object gets to the magnet the greater the magnetic force. The same is true when it comes to our walk with God. Let us never forget that the Devil is out to destroy every child of God (1 Peter 5:8).

Then, there is the allurement of the things of this world that distract so many from a walk with God. This is so visibly seen when church attendances are low when events like the superbowl is coming on T.V. People are so prone to not come to church today, for the slightest of reasons. My first pastor use to say, that “an excuse is the skin of a reason, wrapped around a lie.” I think He was right about that. When Christians miss church week after week, they become very “weak” in their walk with God.

Last of all, is “the flesh,” which I think James believes is the biggest culprit of all, and the area where most believer’s do battle. In fact, it is likely that the Devil can just sit back and watch as “the flesh” gets the upper hand on the “spiritual man” and as the world lures that person away from God. After that, He has little left to do. James tells us that the “Spirit” within us is grieved and Jealous for us to get back to God (vs 5), and is prompting us to repent of our pride, and in humility draw nigh to God. This is much like what Paul teaches us in Gal 5:22-23 as He tells us that only by being constantly “filled with the Holy Spirit” can we be successful in combating the works of the flesh (Gal 5:19-21).

Dear Lord, I pray you will help me and Christians everywhere to examine our hearts and repent in whatever area of our life where that is needed and then in humility draw close to you. Help us to be closer in our walk today than we have ever been before. I ask for this help and strength, in Jesus name, Amen.
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13. WHAT DO I REALLY HAVE TO BRAG ABOUT? (James 4:13-17)

James 4:13-17 (MSG) And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, “Today–at the latest, tomorrow–we’re off to such and such a city for the year. We’re going to start a business and make a lot of money.” 14 You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. 15 Instead, make it a habit to say, “If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.”
16 As it is, you are full of your grandiose selves. All such vaunting self-importance is evil. 17 In fact, if you know the right thing to do and don’t do it, that, for you, is evil.

As I read this portion of scripture I am reminded of the story about the man who was headed to the marketplace to sell his donkey. When asked where He was going that is how he responded. The other gentleman who had asked where he was going responded by saying, “You should say, if it is the Lord’s will, I am going to the market to sell my donkey.” The guy with the donkey brushed him off and said, “I am going to the market to sell my donkey, Lord’s will or not.” Coming back from the market kind of banged up and absent the donkey, He met the same man he talked to earlier. The man asked, “What happened to you?” The donkey owner said, “The donkey stalled on the railroad tracks and got hit by a train, and I got bruised up a little myself.” So the other man said, “Well, where are you going now?” The man who once had a donkey replied, “I am going home, if it is the Lord’s will!”

Well, that is a somewhat humorous story, but I think it makes a valid point. How many today go about their day to day plans and never give any regard whatsoever about what God’s will is. The truth is, if you are a child of God, you should always be concerned about God’s will. We should never presume that we know what we are going to get to do next. The future is in God’s hands, and we should not forget it. That does not mean that we should not plan, it just means we should always seek the Lord, and ask Him to guide us in His will. It is so easy to get so wrapped up in our own plans that we forget the plans of the Lord. If we are praying and seeking God as we ought to, then our will’s will be so wrapped up with God’s plan that they will be one and the same. This is why I believe John makes bold statements like what we read in 1 John 5:14-15.

1 John 5:14-15 (NIV) This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of him.

We find the exact same thing in our Lord’s teaching in the model prayer of Matthew 6:9-13. Before we ever begin to ask for anything for ourselves, we are instructed to prayer. “Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Lord, Help me to live in your will and to delight in your will more than anything else in this world. Help me not to presume that I can do whatever I want without regard for your will, for if I know what is right and I deliberately decide to do otherwise, this is flat out sin (James 4:17). I want my will to be so engulfed by what you want that there is virtually no difference between the two.
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14. WHAT MESSAGE DOES GOD HAVE FOR THE RICH MAN TODAY? (James 5:1-6)

Before I begin to comment specifically on these verses in James, let me just say that I do not believe it is a sin to be rich. Good people like Abraham and Job were rich men from the Bible and they certainly were not bad men. They were godly, and God actually was the one that enriched their lives in whatever ways they were blessed. The same is true for any good thing that has come our way in life, as we have already observed from (James 1:17).

I would also, like to point out that if God has blessed someone with a lot of money and the ability to know how to make money, then they have a greater responsiblitiy with the greater gifts they have to use those riches for God’s glory and man’s good.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

So, the rich man has to fight the temptation not to be greedy with his gain. But the poor man also has a temptation to steal, rather than work to get ahead in life. God gives instructions for that man too.

Ephesians 4:28 (NLT)
If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.

So, having said that, let us consider James 5:1-6. What I think James is doing here is that He is calling out the “rich man” before his readers, to let these afflicted saints know that He does not approve of how they are being treated. It is as if James is saying to them, “I feel your pain.” I know this is not right and I am affirming your right to be angry with injustice in this world. It is a sin and it wrong. What James does want these believer’s to know is that “payday will come someday” for these greedy rich people who are getting rich off the backs of the poor, by not only not paying them a fair wage, but sometimes not paying them at all. God is telling these believers through James that judgement is awaiting for they who are rich. Even death itself will be a great leveller. Whether rich or poor, we all leave this world the same way we came into it, as far as material things is concerned. You might be buried in a suit of clothes, but that will go to the grave, and you will not take it into eternity with you. The rich will face a terrible fate at that hands of God who will right all the wrongs and injustice that has been going on in this world. Let us be “patient” as James is about to encourge us to do, in the next section of James 5.

Dear Lord, though I do not consider my self rich, as far as standards in society in America, I do though consider myself very rich when compared to many worldwide. Help me to be generous with whay you give me. Help me to give to support the gospel ministry which me church is so commited to doing. Help me to be a “cheerful giver” because that is the kind of giver your love. Help me to never look down my noes at anyone who has less than I do, because I know all my blessings come from you (Proverbs 10:22). In Jesus name, Amen.
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15. HOW CAN I BE PATIENT WITH THE SUFFERING I AM GOING THROUGH? (James 5:7-11)

Nobody ever knows for sure how long suffering will last, but one thing is for certain is that it is not a pemanent thing. We always have the encouragement of the Lord’s return to bring “eternal rest” to the people of God. James speaks of that here, and Paul spoke of it as well (2 Thess 1:6b-10).

When the Master Jesus appears out of heaven in a blaze of fire with his strong angels, he’ll even up the score by settling accounts with those who gave you such a bad time. 7 His coming will be the break we’ve been waiting for. 8 Those who refuse to know God and refuse to obey the Message will pay for what they’ve done. 9 Eternal exile from the presence of the Master and his splendid power is their sentence. 10 But on that very same day when he comes, he will be exalted by his followers and celebrated by all who believe–and all because you believed what we told you. (2 Thess 1:6b-10 MSG)

James tells the believers that relief is on its way, as sure as the crops come in at harvest time every year, and as sure as Job once received deliverance from the Lord. It is true that we have no guarantees about the duration of our pain, but we can be sure that one day it will come to an end and we will be forever with Christ. When this happens all the pain will quickly become a distant memory.

Now, one might argue that the Lord’s return did not happen in the lifetime of any of these believers because many generations have come and gone since then, and that is true. But, one thing we know is that whether He comes for us “all at once” or one at a time, the deliverance is still just as real. When a child of God is “tucked to bed” for the last time by the Heavenly Father, He immediately wakes up with Christ in glory (2 Cor 5:1-8 MSG).

2 Cor 5:1-8 (MSG) For instance, we know that when these bodies of ours are taken down like tents and folded away, they will be replaced by resurrection bodies in heaven–God-made, not handmade– and we’ll never have to relocate our “tents” again. Sometimes we can hardly wait to move–and so we cry out in frustration. Compared to what’s coming, living conditions around here seem like a stopover in an unfurnished shack, and we’re tired of it! We’ve been given a glimpse of the real thing, our true home, our resurrection bodies! The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what’s ahead. He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we’ll never settle for less. That’s why we live with such good cheer. You won’t see us drooping our heads or dragging our feet! Cramped conditions here don’t get us down. They only remind us of the spacious living conditions ahead. It’s what we trust in but don’t yet see that keeps us going. Do you suppose a few ruts in the road or rocks in the path are going to stop us? When the time comes, we’ll be plenty ready to exchange exile for homecoming.

Dear Lord, I thank for the wonderful thoughts of heaven you are giving me this morning. What an exciting way to begin a day, just knowing that before it ends I might be with you in a totally undistracted way. I will one day be with you, and as fast as life passes by these days, it won’t be long. I will not be distracted from you by sin, by sickness, by stress, or anything else. I will be able to worship you fully and freely. Since I am going to be doing that when I get there, would you help me to practice that today Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.
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16. WHAT ARE THE BEST WAYS WE CAN USE OUR TONGUE FOR GOOD AND NOT EVIL? (James 5:13-20)

I mentioned before that James has a lot to say about the tongue. Up until now, most of the comments have been about the evil of the tongue and the improper use of it. Now, as I close out my comments on James, we get to conclude it by talking about the healthy use or uses for the tongue as revealed in the final verses of this book. Here are several ways we can put the tongue to good use.

(1) When we are in trouble we can pray (vs 13; Psalm 46:1; Hebrews 4:16).

(2) When we we are happy, we should sing songs (vs 13; Psalm 47:7; 57:7).

(3) When we are sick, we should call for help and ask for prayer (vs 14).

(4) When we have searched our heart we should confess our sin as we request prayer for our affliction (vs 14-16; Psalm 119:67,71).

(5) We should involve ourself in group prayer where other believers can pray for us and we can pray for them (vs 16).

(6) We should pray with a “righteous heart” like Elihah, who though not perfect, prayed earnestly. We should have seasons of earnest prayer, for God to intervene in this world and make His glory known (vs 17-18).

(7) We should go after those who have strayed and seek to win them back over to God (vs 19-20; Gal 6:1).

Dear Lord, I thank you for reminding me to these healthy uses for the tongue. I pray that you will help me to impliment all these things into my life for your honor and glory. In Jesus name, Amen.