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| SONG: 'RUN THE RACE' Sequenced and permission given |
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| ~JAMES~ THE BOOK OF PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY *~*~*~* Several men named James are mentioned in the New Testament and for this reason it has been difficult to ascertain which "James" wrote this Epistle. His introduction simply labels him a "servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ" (1: 1). Two apostles bore this name (Matthew 10: 2, 3 ~ Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his Brother; James the son of Zebedee and John his brother. Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alpheus and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus). The half brother of Jesus was also named James, it is this James that many accept as this epistle's writer. (Matthew 13:55 ~Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?) This James was not converted during Christ's earthly ministry (John 7: 3-10). In all probabilty he was saved after the resurrection for Christ appeared to him singly (I Corinthian 15:7) and he was numbered among the twelve in the upper room (Acts 1:14). Peter sought him after his release from prison (Acts 12:17). He was a prominent leader in the first church council in Jerusalem (Acts 15:13, 23-29); Galatians 1:19; 2:9, 12), and Paul learned much from him (Acts 21: 18-26). Because of his leadership in the council, he was recognized the "Bishop" of Jerusalem. A strict Jew, he was tolerant to Gentiles, and accepted them as true Christians along with believing Jews, as his letter in Acts (15:13 -29) indicates. He was called "James the Just" by Clement of Alexandria and his countrymen because of his "just" dealings with both Jews and Gentiles. James is the Greek equivalent of Jacob---- "supplanter". This Epistle encourages Christians (Jews and Gentiles) to patience under their troubles and persecutions, and to wait and hope for the speedy coming of Christ. It reveals the evil practices of some that boasted of their faith and knowledge, though they lived very hypocritical lives, not "practicing what they preached." The view of James is to show that faith, without the fruitful works of righteousness, is not genuine. He exhorts to duties becoming Christians, and inveighs against a number of vices which were scandalous to them. Someone has called James the "Proverbs" of the New Testament. "With a single stroke the writer connands a duty, scourges a fault, denounces a wrong, and crowns a virtue with transcendent glory." It is filled with the marks of true religion and false profession. This Epistle in the mode of its address, is entirely different from all the others, and the general style of it is more like that of a prophet of the Old Testament than that of an apostle of the new. Our blessed Lord is mentioned but twice in the whole letter; it begins without an apostolical salutation and it closes without any such benediction. It may be regarded as a kind of connecting link between Judaism and Christianity, as the ministry of John the Baptisst was between the Old and the New Testaments. The elegant and beautiful simplicity of the sacred writers is, however , eminently conspiciuous in this Epistle, and it commended as one of the most finished productions in the New Testament. James is the first of the seven general Epistles. They are called " catholic" (catholic means "universal") in that they are not addressed to any one particular church, but are to be read by all churches. In the 5 chapters in this Book there are 108 verses and 2,308 words. CHARACTER Practical. Because James is less theological than any other New Testament book, and because of stress on "works" as proof that one has faith, some have ruled that this epistle should not be a part of Scripture. Martin Luther, for example, rejected it, calling it a strawy or chaffy Epistle. The seeming opposition of this Epistle of James is his use of the term "justification by works" (2:20-26), and Pauls's expression "justification by faith" (Romans 3:28) Paul emphasized the same truth as James---the salvation is by faith apart from works, but one works to prove that he does have faith. Evidence of salvation (life of Christ). according to Paul, is a walk not the "works" of Paul, nor are they talking about the same faith. For James the "works of the Christian life are works of mercy, not the "works of the law" of which Paul speaks. Paul is speaking Christians faith and Jewish works; James speaks of Jewish faith and Christian works. Paul is doctrinal while James is practical. Scholars have established that James the half brother of Jesus is the writer and it was written A. D. 45 in Jerusalem. Since there are no references to Gentiles, it has been assumed by some that James wrote this Epistle before the Jerusalem council, in which he made Gentiles equal with Jews in the matter of Salvation by faith(Acts 15). Genuine faith will inevitably produce good deeds. This is the central theme of James's letter, around which he supplies practical advice on living the Christian life. James begins his letter by outlining some general characteristics of the Christian life (1:1-27. Next, he exhorts Christians to act justly in society (2: 1-13). He follows this practical advice with a theological discourse on the relationship between faith and action (2:14-26). Then James shows the importance of controlling one's speech (3: 1 - 12). In 3:13- 18, James distinquishes two kinds of wisdom -- earthly and heavenly. Then he encourages his readers to turn from evil desires and obey God (4:1 - 12). James reproves those who trust in their own plans and possessions (4:13 - 5, 6). Finally, he exhorts his readers to be patient with each other (5:7 - 11), to be straightforward in their promises (5:12), to pray for each other (5:13 - 18), and to help each other remain faithful to God (6: 19,20). The key verse in this book is: 2:18 ~ Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. The book of James emphasizes faith in action. Right living is the evidence and result of faith. The church must serve with compassion, speak lovingly and truthfull, live in obedience to God's commans, and love one another. The body of believers ought to be an expample of heaven on earth, drawing people to Christ through love for God and each other. If we truly believe God's Word, we will live it day by day. God's Word is not merely something we read or think about, but something we do. Belief, faith and trust must have hands and feet----OURS!! Compiled by Shirley Barr November 14, 2005 Ref: Life Application Bible KJV Bible |
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