Monday, December 10, 2012

The Book of James- The "How-To" Book for Christians


James is a book of practical living, which challenges us away from just being saved to where the "rubber" of our faith "meets the road" of life.

Key Historical Factors Related to the Book of James:
- it was not a letter addressed to or meant for a particular person or group, but rather meant/sent to all known Christians/Jews at the time as a handbook on how to endure persecution, model authentic faith and be encouraged, he was primarily talking to the Jews in Jerusalem who were starting to face persecution. 
- At the time it was written, most Jews. Greek Philosophers believed we should just gain knowledge, for knowledge's sake. To them its only purpose is that it improves who we are as a person, but no requirement to put the knowledge into practice. This book was written at the end of the "honeymoon" period of being ignored by religious leaders, they were getting comfy and feeling good.
- James is thought to be the oldest of Jesus' brothers (Joseph's Son) (Matt 13:55, Mark 6:3)
-  James did not follow God until AFTER Jesus' died and rose again and came to him. Then her believed in the Lord and became the Christian he was.
- Probably written between 44-60 AD. only around a decade after Jesus' death and resurrection.
- At this time they had NOT split from Judaism yet.
- They were being singled out and picked on for having faith. The persecutions were starting.
Key Points of the Book of James:
- even though we are taught that we are saved by faith alone- James clarifies that good works WILL FOLLOW true faith. Romans 3:28 (So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.); 2:14 (Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it.), 2:17 (You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God’s law, and you boast about your special relationship with him.)
- Christ Directed and Faith Centered Life, this is a book about the application of our faith and the importance of learning and growing in Christ.
Our short-term setbacks will produce long-term results that glorify our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! 
- Faith without Works is DEAD - James 2:14-20
- Right Belief = Right Behavior
- It's about personal responsibility by aligning one's beliefs to be right so that ones behaviors are right.
- Seems to be a commentary for Psalms 15
- We grow in faith & maturity so we can apply our christian character & conduct in how we are to others.
- The knowledge we gain from our experiences in life must be rooted in our hearts so it can bubble up into our daily life! The knowledge in our heart must equal how we live our life.
- If faith has NOT changed you over, you will lead a life of problems, without purpose and one of no distinction or betterment to yourself or others.
- Hands on living to control our attitudes and tongue, to be listeners and to stay away from pride and sin.
Chapter 1: How do we react to pressure? Faith will not break when it is real, even when times are dire. We are stable because who we are in Christ and not because of our circumstances.
I. Trials are a part of life.
1:1 Greetings
1:2-4 Seeking Jesus to deal with problems! We can declare them joy(Matt. 5:11-12; Luke 6:22-23)
1:5 Seeking wisdom to deal with life; receiving from God (Matt. 7:7; Luke 11:19)
1: 6--8! Asking for faith and not doubting (Matt. 21:-22; Mark 11:22-24)
II. Temptations will come.
1: 9-11 Humbleness ; seeking the proper perspective on life (Matt.13:6; 23:12;Mark 4:7;Luke 14:11;18:14)
III. How will you handle trials and guard against impurity?
1:12 Importance of perseverance (Matt. 5:11-12)
1:13-18 Holding on to the goodness of God (Matt. 7:12; 19:16; Luke 6:27, 35)
IV. We have to be doers of the Word, not just hearers.
1:19-20 The importance of listening (Matt. 7:11; Luke 6:46-49).
1:21-27 Our call to be compassionate toward those who hurt (Matt. 25:34-36)
Chapter 2: When Faith is authentic, it will show it in our lives. We will have real, dependable love that transitions into respect for God, for others, and for ourselves!
I. Favoritism and prejudices.
            2:1-4 Paying attention to what is important (Luke 12:21)
            2:5 The poor will inherit the earth (Matt. 5:5; Luke 6:20)
II. Apathy and wrong mindsets.
2:6-9 Love your neighbor as your self (Matt. 22:39; Mark 12:30-31)
2: 10-12 Do not break the commandments (Matt. 5:19)
2:13 Mercy triumphs over Judgment (Prov. 21:13)
            2:14-26
III. Obedience and action are the proofs of faith.
2: 11-13 Faith without works is meaningless (Matt. 18:23-34; 25:41-46)
 2:14-26 We show our friendship with God by our obedience (Matt. 7:21-23, 26; 21:28-32; John 15:13-15) (Faith without works is dead)
Chapter 3: When our faith is real, we will show control and humility. We will have constructive ways of being encouraging by our communication!
I. How we use our words reflects what is in our soul.
           3:1 Teachers are more responsible (Mark 9:38-40; Luke 20:45-47)
           3:2 We are judged by our words (Matt. 12:37)
           3:3-6 Real corruption comes from our mouth (Matt. 15:11, 18; Mark 7:15,20; Luke 6:45)
           3:7-12 We cannot do both good and evil together (Matt. 7:16-20; Luke 6:43-44)
II. How we express our attitude shows how real our faith is.
3:13-15 Bitterness and envy destroy relationships and opportunities (Prov. 13:30; 27:4)
            3: 16-18 Blessed are the peacemakers (Matt. 5:9)
Chapter 4: When faith is working, we will be expressing patience. We will be able to handle conflict and strife and resolve the tough issues of life!
I. How we control our desires shows whether we want God's will or ours.
           4:1-3 Desires will consume us (Matt. 4:39)
           4:4 Spiritual adultery (Mark 8:38)
           4:5 Friendship with the world means being enemies of God (John 15 18-21)
II. Pride destroys
           4:6 God hates pride and loves humility (Psalm 49; Luke 14:11)
III. Humility shows our devotion
           4:7 Flee from the devil (Matt. 12:26-28)
           4:8 Submit to God (Matt. 26:39)
4:9 Laughter turns into mourning (Matt. 5:4; Luke 6:25)
4:10 God is the One to lift us up (Matt. 12:17-20; Luke 3:16)
IV. We have no right to judge
4:11 Do not slander (Matt. 7:1-2)
4:12 Only God has the right to judge (Matt. 10:28)
4:13-16 Do not plan ahead without God (Luke 12:18-20)
4:17 We sin when we know God's will but do not do it (Luke 12:47-48)
Chapter 5: When we are patient, we are persevering. We will have confidence and hope in life whatever we face because who we are in Christ.
I. How we handle our money shows our devotion and what matters to us.
            5:1 Woes to the rich and to corruption (Luke 6:24)
5:2-4 Wealth in time is all worthless (Matt. 6:19-20))
5:5-6 Self indulgence is sin and is of no benefit (Luke 16:19-20, 25)
II. Patience perseveres our faith.
5:7 Be patient (Luke 18:1-8)
5: 8-9 Watch because Jesus will return (Matt. 24:33; Mark 13:35-39)
            5:10 The Prophets are our example (Matt. 5:10-12)
III. We are called to act with kindness to others.
            5:11 God is kind to us (Psalm 94:12; Job 1:21-22)
5:12 Do not swear oaths (Matt. 5:33-37)
5:13-14 Meeting needs of others (Psalm 50:14-15)
            5:15-18 Power of prayer (Matt. 6:6-8; Luke 11:2-4)
IV. Our call to care and bring back those who stray from the faith.
            5:19-21 Our call to help restore the stray sheep (Matt. 18:15)

-The opposite end of this coin of doing nothing with our faith is legalism-- the forced practice of being good by means of a set of rules and regulations. Even though these rules may be good, they come from obligation and not from a heart of gratitude.

-Sanctification is not a part of legalism because the qualities of Christ we are called to emulate are not present.

-Psalm 15 and James are about living out a life of holiness, not because we have to, or we feel compelled by obligation; rather, because we want to please the Father, we want to grow in Christ, and we want to be empowered by the Spirit. It is not about receiving our salvation; it is about what we do with it once we have it. (intothyword.com)  This is the Psalm for the Christian who is real, authentic, and desires to glorify our Lord, model His precepts, and be impacting to others!
 
These are the traits of faith that will produce results in a life that is victorious and impacting (Phil. 1:6; 3:7-11; 4:4-9). Being willing and able to develop your faith and Christian walk will help, along with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, to build your maturity and character (Gal. 5:22-23; 2 Pet. 1:5-11).