Main Scripture passage: James 3:13-18
Wisdom in the Scriptures requires the new birth, because the natural man cannot see spiritual truths unless the spirit of God is in him. Spiritual truths can only be perceived by those who have the Spirit. And so once the heart and mind have been enlightened by God’s Spirit–once the individual has been born again–the new man should be growing in grace, knowledge, and wisdom.
Main Scripture passage: Matthew 5:3-12
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:10-12).
Main Scripture passage: 1 Timothy 2:1-7
Main Scripture passage: 1 Timothy 2:1-7
Main Scripture passage: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
The passage here in 2 Corinthians 5 displays two things, among others: (1) the need for reconciliation, and (2) the means of reconciliation.
Main Scripture passage: James 3:1-12
Main Scripture passage: James 2:14-26
The objective of the book of James is the maturity of true saving faith. Thus throughout the book James gives several tests by which one’s faith can be measured or evaluated. The goal here is to know whether or not one’s faith is really genuine and, if so, the areas in which it lacks maturity. For clarity, it should be observed that Paul, in his epistles, answered the question, “How is one saved?” The answer, of course, is that salvation is by grace through faith. James, on the other hand, answers the question, “What is saving faith?” As part of the answer to that question, James puts forth the test of good works in chapter 2 verses 14-26. He says in verse 26, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” Concerning this relationship between works and faith four things ought to be observed. First, works are a proof of our faith (v. 18). Second, they are the perfection of our faith (v. 22). Third, works are profitable. And fourth, works are pleasing to God.
Main Scripture passage: James 2:1-13
In James 2:1-13 the author asks his audience the following question: You profess the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, so in light of your claim to be followers of Christ, how do you treat other people? Do you really follow the teaching of Jesus, who said, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35, NIV)? By stating this question James is really asking: If someone were to observe how you live in fact, would it be obvious that you were a Christian? To answer this question James says to use practical expressions of love as a gauge for measuring one’s faith. Unfortunately, the people to whom James addressed his letter were not passing this test. Thus three things should be observed: (1) how James’s readers failed the test of love (what they were doing wrong), (2) why partiality is a failure of love, and (3) James’s exhortation to observe the law of love. Firstly, how were James’s readers failing the test of love? James tells us in verses 1-4. His audience failed the test of love because they were showing partiality or respect of persons. This means they were showing favoritism or giving preference to someone without proper grounds. They were making judgements that were not based on truth or justice. Specifically, the rich were being honored while the poor were being dishonored. And although partiality can take many different forms, in all of them it is really based on self-interest. Therefore it is a failure of love. This leads us on to our next question: why is partiality a failure of love? First, partiality is a failure of love because it is based on a false judgement or a false evaluation (vv. 5-7). James’s audience was treating people based on appearance; they were judging on externals rather than internals. They valued the rich because they looked good, smelled good, possessed money, and things of that nature. In response to this, James says that the poor are the ones who are truly rich–rich spiritually. There are of course other ways of making false judgements besides that of looking at the externals. We can also misjudge by evaluating something without all of the facts or by letting personal attachment influence our judgement. This is why James says in verse 4 that his audience had become “judges with evil thoughts.” Their judgements were not based on truth, and therefore they were wrong. And although partiality is wrong because it is a misjudgment of the truth, in the case of James’s audience it was also wrong because it was based on a misunderstanding of the law. His listeners most likely attempted to justify their partiality by stating that it was really just an expression of love and honor to those shown partiality. But this understanding is flawed because the royal law required them to love all, not just a few. So partiality is a failure to love because it is based on a misjudgment of the truth and a misunderstanding of the law. James’s response to this failure consists in this: to observe the law of liberty, which is the law of love. He says, “So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. For judgement is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgement” (vv. 12-13). We will be judged by how we treat others, and this includes our judgements. If we judge other people and show partiality, God will judge us the same way. He commands us to fulfill the law of love, and He will judge us by the same. Therefore, “so speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.”
Main Scripture passage: James 2
The objective of the book of James is the accomplishment of mature, genuine faith. So throughout the book James gives a series of tests, or measuring rods, by which to evaluate one’s faith. The first test he gives is the test of trials in chapter 1. The next test is the test of the Word (how we respond to it). In chapter 2, we have yet another test, the test of people–how we treat others. The reason for all these tests lies in the fact that James’s audience professed to be believers and were confident of their faith. Therefore James gave them several tests by which they could evaluate their faith to know if it was really real. The first thing to note about faith is that there are three kinds of faith: dead faith (vv. 14-18), demonic faith (v. 19), and divine faith. Firstly, dead faith is faith that is useless or idle. It has no substance; it produces nothing. That is, dead faith is a faith that has no works and produces no fruit. Secondly, there is demonic faith. Demonic faith is an intellectual faith that will not produce fruit. James says in verse 19 that “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe–and tremble!” What he is saying is that it is not enough to say that there is one God, or even to say that Jesus Christ died for your sins. It’s not enough to say it or assert it intellectually–to merely assent to it. Such faith by itself is demonic. In addition to dead faith and demonic faith, there is divine faith. This is the faith that works. Divine faith includes a firm persuasion of the mind and a reliance or trust on the object of faith. It includes knowledge and a persuasion of the truth, but it also includes a third element–trust. This is a reliance on the object of our faith. True saving faith, then, is an intelligent perception of the truth, a reception of the truth, and a reliance on the truth, as it is revealed in the gospel. Putting your faith in Christ involves self-renunciation; you are not trusting in yourself for salvation but are casting your soul on Christ. Faith believes the promises of Christ and rests on these promises. This is also called appropriation: applying Christ to yourself. It is embracing Christ, receiving Christ, and rolling on Christ. So how do you know if you have saving faith? Look at your works. True living faith will produce fruit simply because it is alive. To sum up, the important message James has for us is this: to look at our faith and evaluate it in the mirror of God’s Word. If it measures up, then it is true faith. If it does not, then it is not true faith. The remedy for those who lack saving faith is Jesus. Come to Christ, because He is waiting for you. Put your trust in Him, and He will wrap you in His arms of love.