![]() The effect is to set the backdrop: how can anyone set himself up to judge others with the Lord of Glory looking on? The first condemnation James issues is against the most common form of pre-determinate judging: one’s appearance. The first is in the salutation, where James submits to Him as Lord (1:1). It’s interesting that James names the name of our Lord only twice in his five chapters. Stop showing favoritism based on appearance! (vv. Apparently, James knew this type of church…and he addressed the issue head-on. They were “respecters of persons.” What should have been a fellowship dinner turned out to be simply…a dinner. In no time, I was assaulted by an irate deacon who brusquely informed me that those seats were “reserved for his friends.” I was a young and inexperienced local pastor back then, but even then, I knew that church had a problem. Assuming someone setting up had been interrupted in their task, I made the mistake of unfolding those chairs and putting them in place. There was seating for about sixty, but a dozen or so of the folding chairs near the front podium were folded and propped up around the front few tables. Those tables were covered with the usual array of country casserole dishes, serving platters, Tupperware containers, and tin foil. There was a podium set up at one end of the room for the guest speaker and a long set of tables set end-to-end at the other for serving. The fellowship hall was set up with those eight-foot folding tables we all know and love. I often recall a particular potluck dinner at a rural church I knew rather well (that shall remain nameless!). For reflection: Some skeptics have suggested that religion is for the weak it keeps people “in check” as they drift through this life by dangling the dream of eternal life that awaits them. The section ends with the encouragement that those who endure trials in a godly way are doubly rewarded: they gain steadfast, mature faith in this life, and a crown of life in eternity (v. 9), while those with riches need to be reminded that such earthly trappings are only temporary (v. Hence, those who have little need to be reminded that their time of want on earth will be fully recompensed in glory (v. Here, he uses an example of one particular (and no doubt familiar!) trial: finances. But verse 12 puts the subject back into the general context of suffering. Once again, James appears to make another sudden turn, moving from wisdom and faith to those who are impoverished. The humility and blessing connections (vv. For reflection: What does James mean in verse 7? What do you think “all of his ways” refers to? Finally, because of this ebb and flow, doubters are simply unstable in all of their ways (v. Next, doubters-because of their lack of faith-are underserving of the good things of God (v. First, doubters ebb and flow in their commitments based on the circumstances with which they are faced (v. ![]() James then points out three characteristics of the faithless. #Blue blocks in witness fullThird, wisdom, like every other request, must be made with full faith and without doubt (v. Second, God gives wisdom generously and without scolding us for asking (v. First, whether earthly or spiritual, wisdom comes from God (v. But the closing words of verse 4 (“lacking nothing”) leads directly into an area of frequent lack: wisdom. At first glance, these verses seem out of place. For reflection: To paraphrase Adrian Rogers, “Satan tempts us that we might fail, but God tests us that we might prevail.” How can you apply that principle in daily life? Nor did he simply tell them to “buck up” and “take it.” Rather, he encouraged them to see God’s purpose in those trials: that they might develop enduring, steadfast faith (v. Notice that James did not gloss over their suffering as something minor or ordinary. ![]() 2) indicates those believers were facing hardships and needed encouragement. James’ immediate reference to difficulties (v. Hence, the twelve tribes in the Dispersion refers to believers who were living in Gentile lands. ![]() The word Dispersion refers to those times when, for various reasons, God’s people had been scattered like seeds outside of Israel. Yet he humbles himself, referring to himself as a servant of both God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (v. Like Jude, he is almost universally accepted as the brother of Jesus. In the first 12 verses of the book, James (who happens to be the brother of Jesus), suggested three distinct connections between what believers think, and how God responds. In turn, he tells the scattered churches what to do…and what not to do. James encourages, cajoles, lectures, and rebukes his readers. The book itself is at times moving, and at other times blunt. I guess that’s why James said, “Faith without works is dead” (2:17). Let’s face it: all the head-knowledge in the world (even the biblical kind) is useless if it’s not put into practice. It’s a great mix of doctrine and practice. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |