DAILY REMINDER – Today, December 21’s Bible reading is James 1-5.
NEXT DAY REMINDER – Tomorrow, December 22’s Bible reading is 1 Peter
1-5. May God bless you with the reading of His WORD.
JAMES Introduction
The book of James is so titled by its
author the half-brother and apostle of Christ. It is believed to have been written
between 48-50 A.D. During this time, the church
seemed to have been comprised of mostly Jewish converts and does not deal with
any issues that would have pertained to the Gentiles such as circumcision. The
Jewish converts had been dispersed due to what scholars believe was King Herod Agrippa
I’s persecution. As with Jesus’ other siblings, James had not been immediately
convinced of Jesus’ earthly mission, but later came to the understanding of who
He was and became a prominent leader in the early church. The Apostle James wrote
authoritatively to instruct the church on issues of faith, Christian conduct,
wisdom, and true religion. James helps his readers to understand that faith in
Christ produces fruit that is built on the grace of God.
JAMES MOMENT – (21DEC19) “Consider it pure joy,
my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your
faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work
so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,
who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you”
(James 1:2-5). The Apostle James had a
word of encouragement for the Jews who had converted to Christianity. They were
under heavy persecution under the tyrannical government of King Herod Agrippa I
and had dispersed to various nations. Nevertheless, in hopes to keep them encouraged,
the Apostle James spoke to them regarding the trials that they were facing. Their
challenges, according to James, helped to build their perseverance so that they
could become spiritually mature in Christ. He urged them to stay faithful and
pray to the Lord for wisdom and bind all doubt which would hinder their prayers
from being answered. This lets us know that when we go to God in prayer, but we
are already doubting that He will grant our requests, we have nullified our answers
based on our lack of faith.
The Apostle James gave further instruction to the recent converts that were
not unfamiliar to them even in the Jewish heritage. He told them to be humble
and be slow to anger. They were to be more than just hearers of the Word, but they
were to put it to practice for what good was it to them if they did not make it
applicable in their lives. The apostle emboldened the Christians to treat all
believers the same rather they were rich or poor because the Lord does not show
favoritism. The Bible says: “My brothers and sisters,
believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing
a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes
in. If you show special
attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for
you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or ‘Sit on the floor by my
feet,’ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil
thoughts? (James 2:1-4). James explained
to them that if they showed favoritism then they were breaking the law and to offend
in even one area was to be found guilty of breaking them all. Therefore, they
were to be wise in their conduct and dealings with one another. We are to do
the same. There are many churches who have VIP sections for the rich and
famous, but they are doing opposite of what God would have for them to do. Rather
one is a famous actor or a janitor, we are all equals in the sight of the Most
High God.
An important element that the Apostle James was sure to highlight in
his letter was the need for the believers to put their faith into action. If they
claimed to have faith but there was no action behind it, then their faith
without works was dead. For example, a person can have faith that God wants to
give them a better job or promotion, but if they never submit a resume, pursue
additional education, or get to work on time to show that they are responsible,
having faith will not do them much good. The Apostle James wrote: “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have
faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?” (James 2:14). A person with true faith will allow their works to coincide with what
they are believing God for. As believers, our faith is to also show through our
works to help others. When we see someone in need, we are to help them if we
are able, so that others can see Christ through us and the reason for our
faith.
The Apostle James admonished the believers to bridle
their tongues. A person cannot claim to honor God if they are unable to control
what comes out of their mouths. The Apostle James wrote: “With the tongue
we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been
made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and
sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and saltwater flow from the same spring?”
(James 3:9-11). There are a lot of believers
who have difficulty in this area. Not only do they run gossip campaigns across
the city, but they destroy people emotionally through their verbal abuse. If a person
claiming to be a Christian is verbally abusive towards others, then their
Christianity is only mere words and lack action. Remember, the Apostle James
wrote that faith without works is dead. Our words are to be those to encourage
and support – not tear down and belittle. We will give an account for not only
our actions on judgment day but the words that come out of our mouths. The
Bible says: “But I tell you that
everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word
they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you
will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37).
The apostle warns the believers
about selfishness, pride, and boasting about what they will do tomorrow. None
of us know what the future will hold except for what’s written in the Word of
God; therefore, even though God does not have a problem with us making plans,
the apostle cautions believers to never say in arrogance and with certainty
what those plans will be and when. The Apostle James wrote: “Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live
and do this or that.’ As it is, you boast in your arrogant
schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do
it, it is sin for them’ ” (James 4:15-17). Let’s use the example of a student planning to go to college. Everyone
knows that the application process requires that certain deadlines be met prior
to the semester the student plans to attend. Therefore, it would be wise for
the student to plan ahead and meet all the necessary requirements in advance to
facilitate this goal. Nevertheless, for those who are believers in Christ, we
are to submit our plans to Him and as we work towards our goals, we are to
always know that they must be within His will. In so doing, we are committing
our lives to the Lord in the humblest of ways and allowing Him to be in full
control. Only He knows if we will see another day. The Bible says: “To
humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer
of the tongue. All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed
by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your
plans” (Proverbs 16:1-3).
Finally, the Apostle
James tells the believers that if they are sick to call for the elders of the
church. The elders are to pray for those who are sick so that they may get
well. The Apostle James wrote: “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call
the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name
of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well;
the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore
confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be
healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James
5:14-16). When the Holy Spirit came down on those present in the upper
room on the Day of Pentecost, they received power to heal the sick, raise the
dead, and cast out demons. We as Christians have no power within ourselves, but
when we pray unto the Lord, He has promised to hear and answer our prayers in
accordance to His will. We can believe on Him and He will heal and make us well.
The Apostle James gave counsel
to Christians that is timeless. There is a way that we are to govern ourselves
as believers in Christ. We are to be the light of the world so that those who
are lost may find their way to Jesus. When we live in accordance to the Word,
we are helping others to see a better Way which is Jesus. Let’s be mindful that
our Christian walk is not one that would make others stumble but will usher the
unsaved to the throne of Grace. Something to ponder…
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