When Common Sense Isn't Enough - James 1:2-18

I will start this study by giving you a few simple facts boiled down to super nuggets of wisdom that I have found scattered through several commentaries and the bible as I opened the study on the book of James. The first is listed as a blueprint for the study. Chapter 1: 1-27 gives us James’ definition of genuine religion. 2:1 to 3:12 explains genuine faith; and genuine wisdom is found in 3:13 to 5:20.

Jewish Christians have learned no lesson greater than how to withstand persecution. At the time of this lesson, the Roman Empire has declared political control over the Jewish nation and Jewish Christians have been scattered throughout the Mediterranean world because of persecution. In their hostile surroundings they were tempted to let intellectual agreement pass for true faith. This letter can have rich meaning for us as we are reminded that genuine faith transforms lives. We are encouraged to put out faith into action. It is easy to say we have faith, but true faith will produce loving actions toward others. [At this point James declares that faith without [works] [action] is dead.]

A simple chapter by chapter explanation of James looks like this……!

Chapter 1 Confident Stand What a Christian has

Chapter 2 Compassionate Service What a Christian does

Chapter 3 Careful Speech What a Christian says

Chapter 4 Contrite Submission What a Christians feels

Chapter 5 Concerned Sharing What a Christian gives

FIVE MEGATHEMES IN THIS BOOK AND THEIR IMPORTANCE

THEME EXPLANATION IMPORTANCE

Living Faith….James wants believers to hear Living faith makes a

the truth and do it. He contrasts difference. Make sure your

empty faith with faith that works. faith is more than just a

Commitment is evidence of true statement—it should also

Faith. Result in action.


Trials ….In the Christian life there are trials Don’t resent troubles. Pray

and temptations. Successfully over- for wisdom; God will supply

coming produces maturity and strong all your needs.

character.


Law of Love….We are saved by God’s mercy, Keeping the law of love

not by keeping the law. We must love our shows that our faith is neighbor as ourselves. vital and real


What would it have been like to have been in James shoes during his boyhood days? You talk about pier pressure; the Mary and Moses household must have been like the old time pressure cookers that were sometimes dangerous when overheated. I say this because I believe that James who wrote this book was the half-brother of Jesus Christ.


It would have been much easier for a novice like me to study about family relationships if everyone had at least two names like Paul Harvey, John Jones, Matthew Henry and James Garfield. This would have helped designate a certain family in to whom each one was born. I do not know the number of men known as Paul listed in the New Testament. Nether do I know the number of Matthews; but the two we know best are more prominent and cause no problems. The third name John is also prominent but requires us to be careful in writing about them so that proper reference is made. James is somewhat different. We know of four James boys, and feel pretty sure that the author of this book was James ‘The brother of Jesus.’


Four men named James appear in the New Testament. Two of these were James, the father of Judas {Luke 6: 16} and James, the son of Alphaeus {Mark 3: 18} are not well known, and little is said of them, therefore neither is likely the author of the book of James. James, the son of Zebedee and brother of John was a prominent leader among the apostles {Acts 2: 2} but he died an early death as a martyr before the book was written. This suggests that the most likely candidate among the New Testament Jameses for authorship is the half brother of our Lord {Mark 6:3l Acts 15: 23}.

James was a younger half brother of Jesus and the son of Mary and Joseph. His name appears first in a list of full brothers which indicates that he was the oldest of Jesus’ half-brothers. John tells us in 7: 5 that James did not believe his brother to be the Messiah during his ministry, and accepted Him only after his resurrection—and after receiving the Holly Spirit in the upper room. I will now renew the thought of being one of several boys who are half brothers to the Lord Jesus Christ who was the elder son in the house.

The author of this letter gives us practically no information about himself. He says that he is just “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” We also know that James and his brothers did not accept Jesus as lord until after his ministry on earth was over. We know that soon after the ascension James had gained a place of influence in the church in Jerusalem. Paul sought his help when he was in trouble because of his stand that Salvation was by grace through faith. James may have had a hard time as a youth, growing up in the family of Christ, always having to compare his life with the perfect one. But when the chips were down, he stood the test and even gave his life a martyr for his Brother.


Are you strengthened in the spirit when a challenge comes to you that really prove that you can withstand the temptations of the devil? James says that we should consider it pure joy; when we face trials of many kinds that really test our faith. Without a test now and then, how do we know that we can and will withstand the temptations of the devil?


One last great thought here before we close. Do not believe or even think that God tempts you in any way to do evil instead of good.. He may allow the devil to tempt you, but Christ does not tempt his children to do wrong. I am sorry that I can not be more positive about the devil and his actions. He is sly and cunning and continually looking for a way to mislead you into temptation and wrong.