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Created page with "{{DOD-December}} There are three men mentioned in the New Testament named James. There is the apostle, the son of Zebedee and the brother of John; the second is an ap..."
{{DOD-December}}
There are three men mentioned in the [[New Testament]] named James. There is the apostle, the son of Zebedee and the brother of [[John]]; the second is an apostle, the son of Alphaeus; and the third is James, the brother of our [[Lord]]. James was the oldest brother of [[Jesus]] ([[Matthew]] 13:55) and is commonly recognized as the writer of this epistle. He addresses his writings to the [[Jews]] who are scattered abroad. James was known as an unusually good man, and was surnamed "the Just" by his fellow men. He is said to have spent much time on his knees in prayer, and because of that they became calloused like the knees of camels. After [[Peter]] moved off the scene, James became the leader of the assembly at [[Jerusalem]].
In chapter 1 [[faith]] and the trial of [[faith]] are again presented. It has often been said that one of the best tests of [[ Christian]] maturity is tribulation. James tells us that a [[ Christian]] should rejoice in the time of trials. You might ask how we can have joy in the midst of our troubles. James gives the answer in chapter 1, by showing the certainties the [[ Christian]] has in the time of tribulation. In verses 1-12 James tells us that there is a purpose for all of these trials. We can be sure, in every situation and every trial that befalls us, that [[God]] does have a purpose for it. His main purpose is for the perfection of [[ Christian]] character. [[God]] wants His children to be mature and able to face any situation. Trials produce patience, as we see in [[Romans]] 5:3, and patience produces indurance. The second thing we can be sure of during troubles is the goodness of [[God]]. Whatever trial or temptation may face us, we can be sure that [[God]] will be with us through these temptations, and will never give us a burden too heavy to bear. The third thing we can always be sure of in the time of temptation is the [[Word]] of [[God]]. The [[Word]] has the answers to all our problems. If we will read it and obey it, no matter what may befall us, we will come out the victors in every situation.
In chapter 2 James presents true [[Bible]] [[faith]]. James tells us that our [[faith]] is proven by [[love]]. He says if we have not [[faith]] then we will not practice the things of [[God]], but if we have [[faith]], then we are to live like it in our daily lives.
[[Christians]] are known by the fruits they bear. True [[Christians]] have [[love]] one for another, [[love]] for [[God]], and [[love]] for their fellow men. James also says that our [[faith]] is proven by works. We must not confuse works and [[grace]], and here James is not contradicting [[Paul]]; but he simply says that if a person has Christ living within his life he will produce works of righteousness. Ephesians 2:8,9 shows us very definitely that we are saved by [[grace]] and not of works. But here James is saying that if we are in fact saved by [[grace]], and if we do in fact have our [[faith]] and trust in [[Jesus]] Christ, then show Him some works. The world judges [[ Christian]] people by the works they produce, and a Christian's proof to the world of a genuine born-again experience is good works.
Chapter 4 makes it clear that there were carnal divisions and disputes among the believers to whom James was writing. There was a lack of true separation in their lives, and the devil was having his way in the lives of many. As [[Christians]], we should realize there are several enemies we must face. The flesh is the enemy we have with us continually. The [[Word]] "lusts" does not necessarily mean sensual passions. It simply means desires. There are desires that are at work in the members of the body that will excite the flesh and create problems. The flesh is human nature apart from [[God]]. This is why [[Romans]] 6 exhorts us to yield the members of our bodies to the [[Spirit]].
The world is another enemy we must face constantly. As [[Christians]], we must not [[love]] the world. When we do [[love]] the world after becoming [[Christians]], we are committing spiritual adultery. [[God]] says, "[[Love]] not the world, neither the things that are in the world." When the believer becomes a friend to the world, he becomes at enmity with [[God]]. He grieves the [[Spirit]] within. It is sad the way many [[Christians]] live in and for the world. The devil is the greatest influence and enemy we must fight today. When a [[ Christian]] lives for the world and the flesh, he becomes proud and this is where the devil goes to work. Pride is one of his best tools. [[God]] wants to give us more [[grace]]; Satan wants to give us more pride. The [[ Christian]] must use the [[Word]] to resist the devil. James 4:7,8a says, "Submit yourselves therefore to [[God]]. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to [[God]], and he will draw nigh to you." There is no way of living the [[ Christian]] life apart from a surrendered life to the [[Spirit]] of [[God]]. It is important that every [[ Christian]] examine his heart and be sure he is not living for the flesh or the world, and that the devil is not controlling his words and deeds. Life is so brief that we cannot afford to waste even one day. Surrender today to the [[Lord]] completely and ask Him to fill you with His Holy [[Spirit]] , that you might be for Him what He would have you to be.
There are three men mentioned in the [[New Testament]] named James. There is the apostle, the son of Zebedee and the brother of [[John]]; the second is an apostle, the son of Alphaeus; and the third is James, the brother of our [[Lord]]. James was the oldest brother of [[Jesus]] ([[Matthew]] 13:55) and is commonly recognized as the writer of this epistle. He addresses his writings to the [[Jews]] who are scattered abroad. James was known as an unusually good man, and was surnamed "the Just" by his fellow men. He is said to have spent much time on his knees in prayer, and because of that they became calloused like the knees of camels. After [[Peter]] moved off the scene, James became the leader of the assembly at [[Jerusalem]].
In chapter 1 [[faith]] and the trial of [[faith]] are again presented. It has often been said that one of the best tests of [[ Christian]] maturity is tribulation. James tells us that a [[ Christian]] should rejoice in the time of trials. You might ask how we can have joy in the midst of our troubles. James gives the answer in chapter 1, by showing the certainties the [[ Christian]] has in the time of tribulation. In verses 1-12 James tells us that there is a purpose for all of these trials. We can be sure, in every situation and every trial that befalls us, that [[God]] does have a purpose for it. His main purpose is for the perfection of [[ Christian]] character. [[God]] wants His children to be mature and able to face any situation. Trials produce patience, as we see in [[Romans]] 5:3, and patience produces indurance. The second thing we can be sure of during troubles is the goodness of [[God]]. Whatever trial or temptation may face us, we can be sure that [[God]] will be with us through these temptations, and will never give us a burden too heavy to bear. The third thing we can always be sure of in the time of temptation is the [[Word]] of [[God]]. The [[Word]] has the answers to all our problems. If we will read it and obey it, no matter what may befall us, we will come out the victors in every situation.
In chapter 2 James presents true [[Bible]] [[faith]]. James tells us that our [[faith]] is proven by [[love]]. He says if we have not [[faith]] then we will not practice the things of [[God]], but if we have [[faith]], then we are to live like it in our daily lives.
[[Christians]] are known by the fruits they bear. True [[Christians]] have [[love]] one for another, [[love]] for [[God]], and [[love]] for their fellow men. James also says that our [[faith]] is proven by works. We must not confuse works and [[grace]], and here James is not contradicting [[Paul]]; but he simply says that if a person has Christ living within his life he will produce works of righteousness. Ephesians 2:8,9 shows us very definitely that we are saved by [[grace]] and not of works. But here James is saying that if we are in fact saved by [[grace]], and if we do in fact have our [[faith]] and trust in [[Jesus]] Christ, then show Him some works. The world judges [[ Christian]] people by the works they produce, and a Christian's proof to the world of a genuine born-again experience is good works.
Chapter 4 makes it clear that there were carnal divisions and disputes among the believers to whom James was writing. There was a lack of true separation in their lives, and the devil was having his way in the lives of many. As [[Christians]], we should realize there are several enemies we must face. The flesh is the enemy we have with us continually. The [[Word]] "lusts" does not necessarily mean sensual passions. It simply means desires. There are desires that are at work in the members of the body that will excite the flesh and create problems. The flesh is human nature apart from [[God]]. This is why [[Romans]] 6 exhorts us to yield the members of our bodies to the [[Spirit]].
The world is another enemy we must face constantly. As [[Christians]], we must not [[love]] the world. When we do [[love]] the world after becoming [[Christians]], we are committing spiritual adultery. [[God]] says, "[[Love]] not the world, neither the things that are in the world." When the believer becomes a friend to the world, he becomes at enmity with [[God]]. He grieves the [[Spirit]] within. It is sad the way many [[Christians]] live in and for the world. The devil is the greatest influence and enemy we must fight today. When a [[ Christian]] lives for the world and the flesh, he becomes proud and this is where the devil goes to work. Pride is one of his best tools. [[God]] wants to give us more [[grace]]; Satan wants to give us more pride. The [[ Christian]] must use the [[Word]] to resist the devil. James 4:7,8a says, "Submit yourselves therefore to [[God]]. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to [[God]], and he will draw nigh to you." There is no way of living the [[ Christian]] life apart from a surrendered life to the [[Spirit]] of [[God]]. It is important that every [[ Christian]] examine his heart and be sure he is not living for the flesh or the world, and that the devil is not controlling his words and deeds. Life is so brief that we cannot afford to waste even one day. Surrender today to the [[Lord]] completely and ask Him to fill you with His Holy [[Spirit]] , that you might be for Him what He would have you to be.
