fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397 
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James
Sept 19, 2019 12:13:18 GMT -5
Post by fearnot on Sept 19, 2019 12:13:18 GMT -5
James
Introduction and some background etc.
Who was James? There are several men in the New Testament by that name. We know that this James was not the apostle James, brother of John, because he was martyred in A.D. 44, too early for this epistle. The vast majority of scholars agree that the author of James was the half-brother of Jesus (Mt 13:55). Apparently he did not believe in Jesus as Lord until after the resurrection, when the risen Savior appeared to him (see John 7:5; 1Co 15:7). He became the leader of the church in Jerusalem in the years following the Day of Pentecost (Gal. 2:9; Acts 15:13-29; 21:17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25). He became known as “James the Just” (or, “Righteous”) because of his well-known holiness.
Pastor Steven Cole
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"Bondservant(1401)(doulos from deo = to bind) (Click additional notes on doulos) was an individual bound to another in servitude and conveys the idea of the slave's close, binding ties with his master, belonging to him, obligated to and desiring to do his will and in a permanent relation of servitude. In sum, the will of the doulos is consumed in the will of the master."
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Introduction to James by Dr John MacArthur:
Title, Author, Date, Background, Setting, Historical, Theological Themes, Interpretive Challenges, Outline by Chapter/Verse. Excellent overview.
James, with its devotion to direct, pungent statements on wise living, is reminiscent of the book of Proverbs. It has a practical emphasis, stressing not theoretical knowledge, but godly behavior. James wrote with a passionate desire for his readers to be uncompromisingly obedient to the Word of God. He used at least 30 references to nature (e.g., “wave of the sea” [1:6]; “reptile” [3:7]; and “heaven gave rain” [5:18]), as befits one who spent a great deal of time outdoors. He complements Paul’s emphasis on justification by faith with his own emphasis on spiritual fruitfulness demonstrating true faith.
There are a number of ways to outline the book to grasp the arrangement of its content. One way is to arrange it around a series of tests by which the genuineness of a person’s faith may be measured.
Introduction (James 1:1)
I. The Test of Perseverance in Suffering (James 1:2–12)
II. The Test of Blame in Temptation (James 1:13–18)
III. The Test of Response to the Word (James 1:19–27)
IV. The Test of Impartial Love (James 2:1–13)
V. The Test of Righteous Works (James 2:14–26)
VI. The Test of the Tongue (James 3:1–12)
VII. The Test of Humble Wisdom (James 3:13–18)
VIII. The Test of Worldly Indulgence (James 4:1–12)
IX. The Test of Dependence (James 4:13–17)
X. The Test of Patient Endurance (James 5:1–11)
XI. The Test of Truthfulness (James 5:12)
XII. The Test of Prayerfulness (James 5:13–18)
XIII. The Test of True Faith (James 5:19, 20)
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Wiersbe: "The Epistle of James was written to help us understand and attain spiritual maturity (James 1:4b)… James used the word perfect several times, a word that means 'mature, complete' (see James 1:4, 17, 25; 2:22; 3:2). By 'a perfect man' (James 3:2) James did not mean a sinless man, but rather one who is mature, balanced, grown-up."
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Charles Swindoll - In the opening of his letter, James called himself a bond-servant of God, an appropriate name given the practical, servant-oriented emphasis of the book. Throughout the book, James contended that faith produces authentic deeds. In other words, if those who call themselves God’s people truly belong to Him, their lives will produce deeds or fruit.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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James
Sept 19, 2019 13:07:11 GMT -5
Post by fearnot on Sept 19, 2019 13:07:11 GMT -5
First half of James chapter 1
1-18
Testing of Your Faith
I know this is a good book for me because I don't always have the proper godly attitude toward troubles, trials, pain, suffering etc. I just automatically go into a woe is me mode....so this is a good look at how to adjust this!
Firstly, it's a given that trials will come, and that is a fact ( no matter if you are rich or poor, young or old etc.) It's very important how we respond because it will show the measure of our faith.
To count the trials as joy....does not mean they are not mostly pain filled, but rather God can use them in your life for growth and eventually blessing.
Don't groan but for some reason this reminded me a bit of body builders, they endure much pain to grow huge muscles.....such muscles only come under tremendous pressure.
Somehow, I see a little correlation to our spiritual growth.
Wiersbe:
"Our values determine our evaluations. If we value comfort more than character, then trials will upset us. If we value the material and physical more than the spiritual, we will not be able to ‘count it all joy!’ If we live only for the present and forget about the future, the trials will make us bitter, not better."
Suffering can show our connection with our Lord.
John MacArthur explains that all joy…
James is speaking of a unique fullness of joy that the Lord graciously provides His children when they willingly and uncomplainingly endure troubles while trusting in Him—regardless of the cause, type, or severity of the distress. He will always use them for our benefit and for His own glory.
It is not because of some sort of religious masochism, but rather a sincere trust in the promise and goodness of our Lord, that we can look on trials as a welcome friend, knowing with Joseph that what may have been meant for evil against us, God means for good (Ge 50:20; cf. Ro 8:28-note).
We are not just to act joyful, in reluctant pretense, but to be genuinely joyful. It is a matter of will, not of feelings,
and should be the conscious, determined commitment of every faithful believer.
And because God commands it, it is within the ability, under the Spirit’s provision, of every true Christian. When faith in Jesus Christ is genuine, James assures us, even the worst of troubles can and should be cause for thanksgiving and rejoicing.
The more we rejoice in our testings, the more we realize that they are not liabilities but privileges,
ultimately beneficial and not harmful, no matter how destructive and painful the immediate experience of them might appear.
When we face trials with the attitude that James admonishes, we discover that the greatest part of the joy is drawing closer to the Lord—the Source of all joy—by becoming more sensitive to His presence, His goodness, His love, and His grace.
Our prayer life increases, as does our interest in and study of the Word, and in each of those ways our joy increases all the more.
MacArthur commenting that:
"As Christians, we know from our own experience, as well as from God’s Word, that the testing of [our] faith produces endurance. We have learned that His promise is indeed true, for, after we have endured suffering, affliction, or testings, we have discovered that our trust in the Lord is not only intact but is all the stronger for the testing".
Then we come to:
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God..........."
I think if we are struggling about the trial we are going thru we can ask God ( not some dead saint, or Mary, or dear Abby, a psychiatrist etc. but God).
Now comes a hard part for me...we are not to doubt. I do understand what a slap in the face to God that is and I do not ever ever wish to doubt.....yet that is a big big sin I struggle with.
So not only is doubt disrespecting God, one cannot get their prayers answered that way. My concern is doubt may be a basis for 'doubting' one's being saved.....tho I do think in scripture there were some great men of God who had moments of doubt.....so maybe its not a given if we doubt we are unsaved but it causes endless problems....being double minded is NOT a good thing.
people often accuse Christians of being closed minded as an insult, but I am coming more and more to the conclusion, if you have steadfast conviction in God, than praise the Lord you are 'closed minded'...I want to be ever so closed minded about God and His goodness!!!
Bummer................................I had a lot moree but did not realize the power cord ( or whatever it's called, had come unpluged so my battery totally drained and the screen went blank).
I fixed that and asked the computer to restore the pages I was working on......
only fresh hope would not.....soooooooooooooooooooo I lost that part
Thankfully I had already posted this much so it was saved but not all the rest.
And I don't have the strength to try to reconstruct it.
I will just say God does not tempt us to sin, We come closer to God when we ask His help in fighting temptations,
F P Wood wisely says instructs us regarding the "value" of temptations when he says…
"Temptation is not sin; it is the call to battle".
W H Griffith - "Satan tempts to bring out the bad; God tests to bring out the good".
Or as someone else has said "Satan tempts us to bring out the worst in us but God tests us to bring out the best."
Spurgeon - "Ascribe all evil to yourself, to the world, or to Satan; but ascribe all good unto God".
So I am done for today....this is kind of long anyway.
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James
Sept 20, 2019 11:15:21 GMT -5
Post by Cindy on Sept 20, 2019 11:15:21 GMT -5
James
Introduction and some background etc.
Who was James? There are several men in the New Testament by that name. We know that this James was not the apostle James, brother of John, because he was martyred in A.D. 44, too early for this epistle. The vast majority of scholars agree that the author of James was the half-brother of Jesus (Mt 13:55). Apparently he did not believe in Jesus as Lord until after the resurrection, when the risen Savior appeared to him (see John 7:5; 1Co 15:7). He became the leader of the church in Jerusalem in the years following the Day of Pentecost (Gal. 2:9; Acts 15:13-29; 21:17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25). He became known as “James the Just” (or, “Righteous”) because of his well-known holiness.
Pastor Steven Cole
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Bondservant(1401)(doulos from deo = to bind) (Click additional notes on doulos) was an individual bound to another in servitude and conveys the idea of the slave's close, binding ties with his master, belonging to him, obligated to and desiring to do his will and in a permanent relation of servitude. In sum, the will of the doulos is consumed in the will of the master."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Introduction to James by Dr John MacArthur:
Title, Author, Date, Background, Setting, Historical, Theological Themes, Interpretive Challenges, Outline by Chapter/Verse. Excellent overview.
James, with its devotion to direct, pungent statements on wise living, is reminiscent of the book of Proverbs. It has a practical emphasis, stressing not theoretical knowledge, but godly behavior. James wrote with a passionate desire for his readers to be uncompromisingly obedient to the Word of God. He used at least 30 references to nature (e.g., “wave of the sea” [1:6]; “reptile” [3:7]; and “heaven gave rain” [5:18]), as befits one who spent a great deal of time outdoors. He complements Paul’s emphasis on justification by faith with his own emphasis on spiritual fruitfulness demonstrating true faith.
There are a number of ways to outline the book to grasp the arrangement of its content. One way is to arrange it around a series of tests by which the genuineness of a person’s faith may be measured.
Introduction (James 1:1)
I. The Test of Perseverance in Suffering (James 1:2–12)
II. The Test of Blame in Temptation (James 1:13–18)
III. The Test of Response to the Word (James 1:19–27)
IV. The Test of Impartial Love (James 2:1–13)
V. The Test of Righteous Works (James 2:14–26)
VI. The Test of the Tongue (James 3:1–12)
VII. The Test of Humble Wisdom (James 3:13–18)
VIII. The Test of Worldly Indulgence (James 4:1–12)
IX. The Test of Dependence (James 4:13–17)
X. The Test of Patient Endurance (James 5:1–11)
XI. The Test of Truthfulness (James 5:12)
XII. The Test of Prayerfulness (James 5:13–18)
XIII. The Test of True Faith (James 5:19, 20)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wiersbe: "The Epistle of James was written to help us understand and attain spiritual maturity (James 1:4b)… James used the word perfect several times, a word that means 'mature, complete' (see James 1:4, 17, 25; 2:22; 3:2). By 'a perfect man' (James 3:2) James did not mean a sinless man, but rather one who is mature, balanced, grown-up."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Charles Swindoll - In the opening of his letter, James called himself a bond-servant of God, an appropriate name given the practical, servant-oriented emphasis of the book. Throughout the book, James contended that faith produces authentic deeds. In other words, if those who call themselves God’s people truly belong to Him, their lives will produce deeds or fruit.
 I'm about to make these bible studies even harder for us! That goes for me as well as everyone else though. From now on, no copying stuff out of commentaries, handbooks, articles or anything else. We can read them, but then if we want to use information we got from them, we need to put it in our own words. What we write should be so different from the way they wrote about it, that no one could read what they wrote and what we wrote and know that we got our information from them. Another way to put it is this: back on our old board there was a member who was constantly plagiarizing other people. He would copy an article or part of one and claim it was his own. All I had to do to find out who really wrote it was copy one or two sentences of what he'd posted and google would instantly take me to the real author. No one should be able to do that with anything we post in a bible study. OK?
The reason I'm making this rule is because it will help us learn more and help us remember what we've learned more too. The point of a bible study isn't to prove that we've read the section and read what others say about it, it's to show what we've learned from it - both to remind ourselves; so we can apply it to our life; and to share with others.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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James
Sept 20, 2019 11:41:29 GMT -5
Post by fearnot on Sept 20, 2019 11:41:29 GMT -5
Ok.....I thought it was ok if one gave credit to whoever, as long as I knew,
but I won't quote anyone anymore :-)
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James
Sept 20, 2019 12:02:59 GMT -5
Post by Cindy on Sept 20, 2019 12:02:59 GMT -5
First half of James chapter 1
1-18
Testing of Your Faith
I know this is a good book for me because I don't always have the proper godly attitude toward troubles, trials, pain, suffering etc. I just automatically go into a woe is me mode....so this is a good look at how to adjust this!
Firstly, it's a given that trials will come, and that is a fact ( no matter if you are rich or poor, young or old etc.) It's very important how we respond because it will show the measure of our faith.
To count the trials as joy....does not mean they are not mostly pain filled, but rather God can use them in your life for growth and eventually blessing.
Don't groan but for some reason this reminded me a bit of body builders, they endure much pain to grow huge muscles.....such muscles only come under tremendous pressure.
Somehow, I see a little correlation to our spiritual growth.
Wiersbe:
"Our values determine our evaluations. If we value comfort more than character, then trials will upset us. If we value the material and physical more than the spiritual, we will not be able to ‘count it all joy!’ If we live only for the present and forget about the future, the trials will make us bitter, not better."
Suffering can show our connection with our Lord.
John MacArthur explains that all joy…
James is speaking of a unique fullness of joy that the Lord graciously provides His children when they willingly and uncomplainingly endure troubles while trusting in Him—regardless of the cause, type, or severity of the distress. He will always use them for our benefit and for His own glory.
It is not because of some sort of religious masochism, but rather a sincere trust in the promise and goodness of our Lord, that we can look on trials as a welcome friend, knowing with Joseph that what may have been meant for evil against us, God means for good (Ge 50:20; cf. Ro 8:28-note).
We are not just to act joyful, in reluctant pretense, but to be genuinely joyful. It is a matter of will, not of feelings,
and should be the conscious, determined commitment of every faithful believer.
And because God commands it, it is within the ability, under the Spirit’s provision, of every true Christian. When faith in Jesus Christ is genuine, James assures us, even the worst of troubles can and should be cause for thanksgiving and rejoicing.
The more we rejoice in our testings, the more we realize that they are not liabilities but privileges,
ultimately beneficial and not harmful, no matter how destructive and painful the immediate experience of them might appear.
When we face trials with the attitude that James admonishes, we discover that the greatest part of the joy is drawing closer to the Lord—the Source of all joy—by becoming more sensitive to His presence, His goodness, His love, and His grace.
Our prayer life increases, as does our interest in and study of the Word, and in each of those ways our joy increases all the more.
MacArthur commenting that:
"As Christians, we know from our own experience, as well as from God’s Word, that the testing of [our] faith produces endurance. We have learned that His promise is indeed true, for, after we have endured suffering, affliction, or testings, we have discovered that our trust in the Lord is not only intact but is all the stronger for the testing".
Then we come to:
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God..........."
I think if we are struggling about the trial we are going thru we can ask God ( not some dead saint, or Mary, or dear Abby, a psychiatrist etc. but God).
Now comes a hard part for me...we are not to doubt. I do understand what a slap in the face to God that is and I do not ever ever wish to doubt.....yet that is a big big sin I struggle with.
So not only is doubt disrespecting God, one cannot get their prayers answered that way. My concern is doubt may be a basis for 'doubting' one's being saved.....tho I do think in scripture there were some great men of God who had moments of doubt.....so maybe its not a given if we doubt we are unsaved but it causes endless problems....being double minded is NOT a good thing.
people often accuse Christians of being closed minded as an insult, but I am coming more and more to the conclusion, if you have steadfast conviction in God, than praise the Lord you are 'closed minded'...I want to be ever so closed minded about God and His goodness!!!
Bummer................................I had a lot moree but did not realize the power cord ( or whatever it's called, had come unpluged so my battery totally drained and the screen went blank).
I fixed that and asked the computer to restore the pages I was working on......
only fresh hope would not.....soooooooooooooooooooo I lost that part
Thankfully I had already posted this much so it was saved but not all the rest.
And I don't have the strength to try to reconstruct it.
I will just say God does not tempt us to sin, We come closer to God when we ask His help in fighting temptations,
F P Wood wisely says instructs us regarding the "value" of temptations when he says…
"Temptation is not sin; it is the call to battle".
W H Griffith - "Satan tempts to bring out the bad; God tests to bring out the good".
Or as someone else has said "Satan tempts us to bring out the worst in us but God tests us to bring out the best."
Spurgeon - "Ascribe all evil to yourself, to the world, or to Satan; but ascribe all good unto God".
So I am done for today....this is kind of long anyway.
We look at the apostles and early Christians who were martyrs, and think how amazing it is that they were able to endure and take their trials as joy. We look at what amazing Christians they were, all that they did, and realize that the reason they were able to deal so well with their trials was because of their Spiritual Maturity. But, their spiritual maturity came because they dealt with their trials so well! It was like a never ending circle.
But we are among the few that have been given a similar opportunity! Everyone experiences trials, but not everyone has to deal with a pretty big trial, that of living with pain, every day, and then on top of that, deal with the regular trials that everyone has. God only gives this honor to His very special children. We will be among the few in our generation that will be "mature and complete, not lacking anything". I know, immediately our false humility, which is really pride, kicks in and we say, "Oh, I'll never be anything special, no one that other Christians would look up to and want to know how i deal with things or what I think about scripture, etc. No one would consider me spiritually mature!" But that's one of Satan's lies. We will be among the elite in New Jerusalem because we said "yes" to the Lord, and instead of turning away from Him when we were hurt, we turned toward Him, and we've stayed with Him.
You said: So not only is doubt disrespecting God, one cannot get their prayers answered that way. My concern is doubt may be a basis for 'doubting' one's being saved.....tho I do think in scripture there were some great men of God who had moments of doubt.....so maybe its not a given if we doubt we are unsaved but it causes endless problems....being double minded is NOT a good thing. Yes, being double minded is horrible! And yes, some great Christians, if not all, have had "MOMENTS" of doubt. And the important word in that statement is "moments"! In other words, they didn't dwell on it. The doubt came into their minds as a thought. They took it captive and said "no, my God has saved me and I'm safe in His hand for no one can take me from Him!" or something similar, and refused to entertain that thought any longer. Just because someone has a moment of doubt, or admits to it, has nothing to do with whether or not they're really saved. Someone who constantly entertains doubts and dwells on them also doesn't have anything to do with whether or not they're saved. What it does show is that they haven't been reading and studying their bible and talking to the Lord on a daily basis. (unless of course they're only been saved for a very short time and haven't had time to learn better). In other words, they're disobedient. If it's been going on a long time (years) and the doubt continues and they're still disobedient and not reading or applying God's Word, and don't show the fruit of salvation, then I'd say that their doubt may indeed indicate they're unsaved. Honestly though, long before then it would be obvious from the lack of fruit in their life, and especially from their not reading God's Word or obeying it.
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James
Sept 20, 2019 12:04:40 GMT -5
Post by Cindy on Sept 20, 2019 12:04:40 GMT -5
Ok.....I thought it was ok if one gave credit to whoever, as long as I knew,
but I won't quote anyone anymore :-) |
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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James
Sept 20, 2019 12:19:10 GMT -5
Post by fearnot on Sept 20, 2019 12:19:10 GMT -5
Onto the 2nd half of James 1: 19-27
As an aside, I was thinking when you mentioned one possibility we might talk about was: How we should live as Christians, James seems to me to be a perfect fit.
As a Christian I need to be quick to hear the Word of God. To me that means that for me, I need to read and study first thing in the morning ( well after going to the bathroom and getting tea and something to nibble on while studying), otherwise, It can continue to be pushed back or even forgotten for the day.
But more than that, I need to be careful not to be a chatty patty ( because of sin) even when I am trying to teach something from scripture....learning to listen is priority over much empty and verbose speaking.
And Christians may often be hit with derogatory, scornful, hateful, or slanderous words, but we ( I) am to be slow to anger ( I am not sure I should react that way at all......tho It is super hard not to, but it is often sinful pride that is hurt)....
I could probably win more bees and bears with honey that slapping them.
And retaliation does not give God glory or draw anyone to Christ ( when I slip to the world's level that way).
It is better to concentrate on the implanted Word and allowing it to change me more and more into the image of Christ's meekness ( which I have heard said years and years ago, is not to be confused with weakness.
And tho we are not saved by our 'good' works, once we are saved, if we do not apply scripture to our lives and obey it, and do the good works God would have us do, we are pretty much useless to God.
I do think, our prayers tho, are, one way, we can be 'doers' ( especially for those who are bedridden).
Because to just be a listener and never apply the word to our lives, how are we to grow, be regenerated, different than the world.....
it might be we are deceiving ourselves into thinking we are godly by our studying only....
and if you consistently live and enjoy your sin, live exactly like the world, you may be deceiving yourself into thinking you are saved when you are not.
God's Word frees us from the slavery of sin. So many sinners think the are free....the pride themselves as rebels, not 'goody two shoes'. they have 'fun', the are FREE.....but in fact, they are slaves to their slavery.
God will bless a Christian's good deeds....perhaps in this life but perhaps more so in the next.
In a sense, it may be a way we are building our 'treasure' in Heaven....but more so, we do it because we love God and that alone is a blessing.
But then James bring us back to the tongue
"And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell".
James 3:6
One of the ways we can be doers is to help those in dire needs like orphans and widows.
and
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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James
Sept 21, 2019 10:53:57 GMT -5
Post by fearnot on Sept 21, 2019 10:53:57 GMT -5
First half of
James 2: 1-13
The Sin of Partiality
I think perhaps even some Christians today don't think a lot about this sin.
I myself have 'avoided' some Christians because maybe they are grumpy, aggressive, etc.
I have told myself, well, we all don't have to 'like' certain people.....just 'love' them
( and in a sense, this is true....I might not 'like' it that they get drunk, or cheat on their spouse, or still swear etc.)
And tho James seems to be focusing more on being partial due to the world's idea of success, being rich, having nice clothes as opposed to being poor and dressed shabby....I am thinking my 'avoiding' those that don't suit my temperament, is nevertheless....a sin of partiality.
I think we all have God given gifts and the very people I avoid, might have something to teach me.
I don't think James mean we can never show someone honor, but this is about a type of prejudice and it is a habit.
Then James makes the point, that those the world and even some Christians can get entangled in, is often false.....because as James says:
" has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him"?
So what makes a man worthy of honor is not how rich he is but its about his faith, love and obedience to God.
And of course, a poor man is not a guarantee to being a man of faith either.
But in doing this we have made ourselves 'judges'......and then James qualifies just what kind of judges we are: "judges with evil thoughts"
But what does God say we should do ( rich or poor)
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself"
it is easy to think showing favoritism is not something overly 'major' ...its not murder after all.
However, James says that God sees it as SIN.
When I read this verse, I thought .....the reverse works maybe even more in our culture today:
" If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law"
Oh there is a lot of murdering going on, but it 'seems' to me even more adultery.
But showing one group favor over another is lacking in love and mercy
and (loving God first)
loving others as yourself is not being practiced....
It is in a sense, killing them ( in your mind and heart).....
because Jesus calls us to a higher standard.
What we 'think' ( Not just what we do or do not do) is sin.....for example, if a man or woman 'lusts' after another person, they have committed sin....(as if they had actually had physical sex with them).
Rather, mercy and love should be my aim.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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James
Sept 22, 2019 9:38:22 GMT -5
Post by fearnot on Sept 22, 2019 9:38:22 GMT -5
2nd half of James 2:14-26
I think its possible to get confused about this.
The first thing, I think, to help with any confusion, is that James is talking about
2 kinds of 'faith'....not salvation.
One kind of faith is just words and thus phony
the other is shown by obedience, action and works.
Another aspect is our works show we have saving faith.
Works do not save us,
but once we are saved
then this verse becomes necessary:
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10
He is not talking about being saved by faith alone
but rather what is saving faith.
He points out that just a mental agreeing of the facts about God/Jesus/the Holy Spirit
is not saving faith, because even demons 'believe' the facts ....
only, they hate them.
So faith is not just a change of mind, is also a change of behavior....obedience show a changed heart.
Faith alone is what saves a person.
It saves him or her out of one kingdom, into another,
out of Hell into Heaven,
out of hate into love
out of one birth, into another 2nd birth
turning from one way of thinking to a totally different way
out of one way of living, into another way
From being self centered to other centered
from one master to another master
etc.
And one way this is shown is by compassion to those in need.
To just mouth compassionate words without actually helping in any way, is empty.
Again people might get confused and think they must have works AND faith to be saved
this is NOT what James is saying.
Once a person is truly saved, by faith alone
THEN...
good works will follow
and
will be a type of proof he or she is saved.
We will be changed!!!
He also gives 3 examples.....and I know from reading that the key from being confused about this verse:
"Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? "
Is that it was years and years BEFORE Abraham offered up Isaac that
"the Scripture was fulfilled that says,
“Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”
So Abraham was saved first by faith and then showed his faith when he offered up Isaac.
You must first believe right, and then....do right.
Just believing facts, with no change otherwise, is not true saving faith.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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James
Sept 23, 2019 10:55:28 GMT -5
Post by fearnot on Sept 23, 2019 10:55:28 GMT -5
Ha! I see we are posting at the same time.....so this post is above yours, so I will copy it and post it below yours
James 3: 1-18
Having discussed the 2 types of faith ( one phony, one real)
James now talks about words, and how powerful they are.
The first person's words he looks at is the pastor/preacher's words.
A man might wish the authority, respect, power, honor, gifts, and glory etc.
he would be given as a pastor/teacher
but
if he is speaking what he really does not know ( because he only haphazardly 'studied' scripture and thus is not qualified),
plus his words are not from the Bible or from a compassionate heart etc.
If he says things that he ought not to ( completely wrongly expounds on God's word, swears regularly, says hurtful things as a habit or whatever etc.
He ought to be concerned ( and perhaps quit) because 'teachers' will be judged more severely by God.
This also may be an indication a person is not truly saved because taming ones tongue is part of being transformed, having a new birth etc. Yes, we will continue to sin with our tongue, just as we continue to sin in other ways, but we are grieved when we do so, and there is a major shift in our talking. As James says ( and he includes himself) "For we all stumble...."
however its not from lack of careful studying and desire to honor God.
It is not that we should not speak ( we are to be ambassadors for Christ and spread the gospel....however, before being saved, we did not generally give much thought to what we said and its effects.
I personally can remember some stupid evil things I said in the past, that I wish I never had said....they were poison, and I fear they spread.....I can only pray God dealt with the damage I did.
He gives some examples of how other 'small' things have great control and influence ( just like the tongue). He uses a bit in a horses mouth and a rudder on a ship.
He then compares its disastrous effects of an untamed, unbridled tongue to a fire ( and even to the fire of Hell).
But points out that we cannot control it ( or not for long or very well) by 'self' control...it has to be from God.
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James
Sept 23, 2019 11:13:39 GMT -5
Post by Cindy on Sept 23, 2019 11:13:39 GMT -5
Onto the 2nd half of James 1: 19-27
As an aside, I was thinking when you mentioned one possibility we might talk about was: How we should live as Christians, James seems to me to be a perfect fit.
As a Christian I need to be quick to hear the Word of God. To me that means that for me, I need to read and study first thing in the morning ( well after going to the bathroom and getting tea and something to nibble on while studying), otherwise, It can continue to be pushed back or even forgotten for the day.
But more than that, I need to be careful not to be a chatty patty ( because of sin) even when I am trying to teach something from scripture....learning to listen is priority over much empty and verbose speaking.
And Christians may often be hit with derogatory, scornful, hateful, or slanderous words, but we ( I) am to be slow to anger ( I am not sure I should react that way at all......tho It is super hard not to, but it is often sinful pride that is hurt)....
I could probably win more bees and bears with honey that slapping them.
And retaliation does not give God glory or draw anyone to Christ ( when I slip to the world's level that way).
It is better to concentrate on the implanted Word and allowing it to change me more and more into the image of Christ's meekness ( which I have heard said years and years ago, is not to be confused with weakness.
And tho we are not saved by our 'good' works, once we are saved, if we do not apply scripture to our lives and obey it, and do the good works God would have us do, we are pretty much useless to God.
I do think, our prayers tho, are, one way, we can be 'doers' ( especially for those who are bedridden).
Because to just be a listener and never apply the word to our lives, how are we to grow, be regenerated, different than the world.....
it might be we are deceiving ourselves into thinking we are godly by our studying only....
and if you consistently live and enjoy your sin, live exactly like the world, you may be deceiving yourself into thinking you are saved when you are not.
God's Word frees us from the slavery of sin. So many sinners think the are free....the pride themselves as rebels, not 'goody two shoes'. they have 'fun', the are FREE.....but in fact, they are slaves to their slavery.
God will bless a Christian's good deeds....perhaps in this life but perhaps more so in the next.
In a sense, it may be a way we are building our 'treasure' in Heaven....but more so, we do it because we love God and that alone is a blessing.
But then James bring us back to the tongue
"And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell".
James 3:6
One of the ways we can be doers is to help those in dire needs like orphans and widows.
and
First half of
James 2: 1-13
The Sin of Partiality
I think perhaps even some Christians today don't think a lot about this sin.
I myself have 'avoided' some Christians because maybe they are grumpy, aggressive, etc.
I have told myself, well, we all don't have to 'like' certain people.....just 'love' them
( and in a sense, this is true....I might not 'like' it that they get drunk, or cheat on their spouse, or still swear etc.)
And tho James seems to be focusing more on being partial due to the world's idea of success, being rich, having nice clothes as opposed to being poor and dressed shabby....I am thinking my 'avoiding' those that don't suit my temperament, is nevertheless....a sin of partiality.
I think we all have God given gifts and the very people I avoid, might have something to teach me.
I don't think James mean we can never show someone honor, but this is about a type of prejudice and it is a habit.
Then James makes the point, that those the world and even some Christians can get entangled in, is often false.....because as James says:
" has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him"?
So what makes a man worthy of honor is not how rich he is but its about his faith, love and obedience to God.
And of course, a poor man is not a guarantee to being a man of faith either.
But in doing this we have made ourselves 'judges'......and then James qualifies just what kind of judges we are: "judges with evil thoughts"
But what does God say we should do ( rich or poor)
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself"
it is easy to think showing favoritism is not something overly 'major' ...its not murder after all.
However, James says that God sees it as SIN.
When I read this verse, I thought .....the reverse works maybe even more in our culture today:
" If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law"
Oh there is a lot of murdering going on, but it 'seems' to me even more adultery.
But showing one group favor over another is lacking in love and mercy
and (loving God first)
loving others as yourself is not being practiced....
It is in a sense, killing them ( in your mind and heart).....
because Jesus calls us to a higher standard.
What we 'think' ( Not just what we do or do not do) is sin.....for example, if a man or woman 'lusts' after another person, they have committed sin....(as if they had actually had physical sex with them).
Rather, mercy and love should be my aim.
2nd half of James 2:14-26
I think its possible to get confused about this.
The first thing, I think, to help with any confusion, is that James is talking about
2 kinds of 'faith'....not salvation.
One kind of faith is just words and thus phony
the other is shown by obedience, action and works.
Another aspect is our works show we have saving faith.
Works do not save us,
but once we are saved
then this verse becomes necessary:
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10
He is not talking about being saved by faith alone
but rather what is saving faith.
He points out that just a mental agreeing of the facts about God/Jesus/the Holy Spirit
is not saving faith, because even demons 'believe' the facts ....
only, they hate them.
So faith is not just a change of mind, is also a change of behavior....obedience show a changed heart.
Faith alone is what saves a person.
It saves him or her out of one kingdom, into another,
out of Hell into Heaven,
out of hate into love
out of one birth, into another 2nd birth
turning from one way of thinking to a totally different way
out of one way of living, into another way
From being self centered to other centered
from one master to another master
etc.
And one way this is shown is by compassion to those in need.
To just mouth compassionate words without actually helping in any way, is empty.
Again people might get confused and think they must have works AND faith to be saved
this is NOT what James is saying.
Once a person is truly saved, by faith alone
THEN...
good works will follow
and
will be a type of proof he or she is saved.
We will be changed!!!
He also gives 3 examples.....and I know from reading that the key from being confused about this verse:
"Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? "
Is that it was years and years BEFORE Abraham offered up Isaac that
"the Scripture was fulfilled that says,
“Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”
So Abraham was saved first by faith and then showed his faith when he offered up Isaac.
You must first believe right, and then....do right.
Just believing facts, with no change otherwise, is not true saving faith.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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James
Sept 23, 2019 11:53:45 GMT -5
Post by fearnot on Sept 23, 2019 11:53:45 GMT -5
Ha! I see we are posting at the same time.....so this post is above yours, so I will copy it and post it below yours
James 3: 1-18
Having discussed the 2 types of faith ( one phony, one real)
James now talks about words, and how powerful they are.
The first person's words he looks at is the pastor/preacher's words.
A man might wish the authority, respect, power, honor, gifts, and glory etc.
he would be given as a pastor/teacher
but
I am thinkingthat, for example, if he is speaking what he really does not know ( because he only haphazardly 'studied' scripture and thus is not qualified),
and/or his words are not from the Bible or from a compassionate heart etc.
If he says things that he ought not to ( completely wrongly expounds on God's word, swears regularly, says hurtful things as a habit or whatever etc.
He ought to be concerned ( and perhaps quit) because 'teachers' will be judged more severely by God.
This also may be an indication a person is not truly saved because taming ones tongue is part of being transformed, having a new birth etc. Yes, we will continue to sin with our tongue, just as we continue to sin in other ways, but we are grieved when we do so, and there is a major shift in our talking. As James says ( and he includes himself) "For we all stumble...."
however its not from lack of careful studying and desire to honor God.
It is not that we should not speak ( we are to be ambassadors for Christ and spread the gospel....however, before being saved, we did not generally give much thought to what we said and its effects.
I personally can remember some stupid evil things I said in the past, that I wish I never had said....they were poison, and I fear they spread.....I can only pray God dealt with the damage I did.
He gives some examples of how other 'small' things have great control and influence ( just like the tongue). He uses a bit in a horses mouth and a rudder on a ship.
He then compares its disastrous effects of an untamed, unbridled tongue to a fire ( and even to the fire of Hell).
But points out that we cannot control it ( or not for long or very well) by 'self' control...it has to be from God.
I think we ( I) forget when 'gossiping ( God is working with me on this tho) that:
" With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God".
It kind of hit me that tho I would never want to 'curse' God, yet, in a sense, that is what I am doing when 'gossiping'.
Which is not to say, there are not times when we must 'tell the truth' about someone.....if we say them murder someone for an extreme example ( that is not deliberately putting them down in order to raise myself up...(well, I suppose that 'could' be partial why....)
A verse that I think goes with this chapter ( I have memorized it in the past, but over time, 'forgot' to apply it, so this is a great reminder!!!)
"Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips". —Psalm 141:3
Then James speaks of what Christians need to do and how to speak...things like gentleness, meekness, wisdom etc. show God's wisdom
but bitter jealousy and 'selfish' ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth is not from God.
Worse it is not just human folly 'earthly' it is unspiritual, and even demonic.
Rather:
"17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."
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James
Sept 24, 2019 9:39:05 GMT -5
Post by Cindy on Sept 24, 2019 9:39:05 GMT -5
Ha! I see we are posting at the same time.....so this post is above yours, so I will copy it and post it below yours
James 3: 1-18
Having discussed the 2 types of faith ( one phony, one real)
James now talks about words, and how powerful they are.
The first person's words he looks at is the pastor/preacher's words.
A man might wish the authority, respect, power, honor, gifts, and glory etc.
he would be given as a pastor/teacher
but
if he is speaking what he really does not know ( because he only haphazardly 'studied' scripture and thus is not qualified),
plus his words are not from the Bible or from a compassionate heart etc.
If he says things that he ought not to ( completely wrongly expounds on God's word, swears regularly, says hurtful things as a habit or whatever etc.
He ought to be concerned ( and perhaps quit) because 'teachers' will be judged more severely by God.
This also may be an indication a person is not truly saved because taming ones tongue is part of being transformed, having a new birth etc. Yes, we will continue to sin with our tongue, just as we continue to sin in other ways, but we are grieved when we do so, and there is a major shift in our talking. As James says ( and he includes himself) "For we all stumble...."
however its not from lack of careful studying and desire to honor God.
It is not that we should not speak ( we are to be ambassadors for Christ and spread the gospel....however, before being saved, we did not generally give much thought to what we said and its effects.
I personally can remember some stupid evil things I said in the past, that I wish I never had said....they were poison, and I fear they spread.....I can only pray God dealt with the damage I did.
He gives some examples of how other 'small' things have great control and influence ( just like the tongue). He uses a bit in a horses mouth and a rudder on a ship.
He then compares its disastrous effects of an untamed, unbridled tongue to a fire ( and even to the fire of Hell).
But points out that we cannot control it ( or not for long or very well) by 'self' control...it has to be from God.
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James
Sept 24, 2019 9:41:51 GMT -5
Post by Cindy on Sept 24, 2019 9:41:51 GMT -5
Ha! I see we are posting at the same time.....so this post is above yours, so I will copy it and post it below yours
James 3: 1-18
Having discussed the 2 types of faith ( one phony, one real)
James now talks about words, and how powerful they are.
The first person's words he looks at is the pastor/preacher's words.
A man might wish the authority, respect, power, honor, gifts, and glory etc.
he would be given as a pastor/teacher
but
I am thinkingthat, for example, if he is speaking what he really does not know ( because he only haphazardly 'studied' scripture and thus is not qualified),
and/or his words are not from the Bible or from a compassionate heart etc.
If he says things that he ought not to ( completely wrongly expounds on God's word, swears regularly, says hurtful things as a habit or whatever etc.
He ought to be concerned ( and perhaps quit) because 'teachers' will be judged more severely by God.
This also may be an indication a person is not truly saved because taming ones tongue is part of being transformed, having a new birth etc. Yes, we will continue to sin with our tongue, just as we continue to sin in other ways, but we are grieved when we do so, and there is a major shift in our talking. As James says ( and he includes himself) "For we all stumble...."
however its not from lack of careful studying and desire to honor God.
It is not that we should not speak ( we are to be ambassadors for Christ and spread the gospel....however, before being saved, we did not generally give much thought to what we said and its effects.
I personally can remember some stupid evil things I said in the past, that I wish I never had said....they were poison, and I fear they spread.....I can only pray God dealt with the damage I did.
He gives some examples of how other 'small' things have great control and influence ( just like the tongue). He uses a bit in a horses mouth and a rudder on a ship.
He then compares its disastrous effects of an untamed, unbridled tongue to a fire ( and even to the fire of Hell).
But points out that we cannot control it ( or not for long or very well) by 'self' control...it has to be from God.
I think we ( I) forget when 'gossiping ( God is working with me on this tho) that:
" With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God".
It kind of hit me that tho I would never want to 'curse' God, yet, in a sense, that is what I am doing when 'gossiping'.
Which is not to say, there are not times when we must 'tell the truth' about someone.....if we say them murder someone for an extreme example ( that is not deliberately putting them down in order to raise myself up...(well, I suppose that 'could' be partial why....)
A verse that I think goes with this chapter ( I have memorized it in the past, but over time, 'forgot' to apply it, so this is a great reminder!!!)
"Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips". —Psalm 141:3
Then James speaks of what Christians need to do and how to speak...things like gentleness, meekness, wisdom etc. show God's wisdom
but bitter jealousy and 'selfish' ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth is not from God.
Worse it is not just human folly 'earthly' it is unspiritual, and even demonic.
Rather:
"17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."
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James
Sept 24, 2019 10:37:11 GMT -5
Post by Cindy on Sept 24, 2019 10:37:11 GMT -5
I wanted to talk about James 2:14–17 to start with.
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:14–17)
We often hear people ask if they're really saved, or ask how they can find out. James is showing us right here how we can know, for these verses begin by showing us what a false or dead faith looks like. People who aren't really saved will substitute words for deeds. In other words, if their neighbor is going through a hard time, they'll tell them how sorry they are and that they'll pray for them, but they won't actually do anything to help them. Yet God calls us to help others who are in need, regardless of whether or not they're saved. So when we see a need, it's not so we can just pray for the person, it's so we can do our best to fill that need if at all possible. The parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30–35) can even demonstrate this in a way. The first two to pass the man who been badly beaten had dead or false faith. Neither one of them paused to help the man, but you can be sure that both the priest and Levite would defend their faith and act as though they were way above the common folks. But a Samaritan who wouldn't dream of trying to defend his faith, took care of the man who'd been so badly beaten. He didn't just care for him with what was convenient and wouldn't cause him any loss, but he helped the man sacrificially, knowing that the Lord had given him the money he had so he could tend to the man who was hurt and that the Lord would take care of his needs too.
The bottom line is that James tells us that the person who has a dead or false faith, the person who isn't really saved, has a faith that's only intellectual.
Then in James 2:18–19 we're taught about another kind of false faith, a kind of faith that even demons have! “But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” (James 2:18–19) We don't usually think of demons having faith, and yet they do. They believe that Jesus is God, and they know that they must obey Him and do. Over and over in the Bible we're shown that, and shown that the demons fear Jesus and fear their end will be. As James says, the demons believe and shudder!
People with this kind of faith have it intellectually and emotionally, but that's still not enough for salvation. People who are saved, are changed by their faith, and that doesn't happen if your faith is only intellectual or intellectual and emotional.
In James 2:20–26 James takes time to explain what kind of faith really saves; or what a saved persons faith looks like. Someone who's saved has a dynamic faith - faith that includes the intellect, the emotions and the will. It involves all of them, and is based on God's Word. Someone who is truly saved desires and longs to know the truth (emotions) understands the truth with their mind (intellectual), and then acts on the truth they've learned (the will). Saving faith leads us to act on what we've learned, to make it part of who we are. And because we are truly saved, God also changes us deep inside making it so we can obey Him and so we can become the person He created us to be. And when a person is truly saved God justifies them. Our justification is an act of God, not a process or anything we do. But once God has justified us (which happens at the instant of our salvation), James says there is a way we can tell it's happened. The person who's truly saved and justified shows it by their changed life and shows it by obeying the Lord. Someone who's not saved can obey God sometimes, but not regularly like the person who's been saved can. Anyone can do good sometimes, although few will give when it seems to hurt themselves, except for someone who's saved. Someone who's saved loves to give and looks for ways they can do so. And all these things can be seen by others like James shows us using Abraham and Rahab as examples.
So in conclusion, we're shown 3 kinds of faith: a dead or false faith that touches only the intellect; a demonic faith that touches the intellect and emotions; and finally a true living faith which touches a persons intellect, emotions, and will, causing them to have a changed life.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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James
Sept 24, 2019 11:13:40 GMT -5
Post by fearnot on Sept 24, 2019 11:13:40 GMT -5
I didn't ever think about the demons having a 2-fold faith ( tho it clearly says so in scripture)....I only tho about the fact they KNEW....without any doubt whatsoever, that God was real!! After all, they had been in Heaven with Him.....but yeah, they also have an emotionally aspect to knowing Him.....I read that ( and may have even said it) but it didn't really really click until reading what you wrote so thank you.
I think of how some folks are super emotional in church ( I do not know if they are truly saved or not...)
but the thing is.....there could be a chance they were not, but by their emotional' expression ( if that was all there was) would seem to be they were.
More important than focusing on them, is to look at myself.....I need to be a doer not just and emotional 'hearer'.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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James
Sept 24, 2019 11:53:44 GMT -5
Post by fearnot on Sept 24, 2019 11:53:44 GMT -5
James 4: 1-17
It's beginning to seem to me, that perhaps we live in the most violent times ever in the history of mankind
( or is heading that way).....
even in ancient times when babies were offered up to false gods, etc.
have we today, not killed more babies, than even in those times?
Terrorism is considered a guarantee to get to Heaven,
and tho all manner of sexual sins have always been with us,
was it ever legislated and propagandized to children in schools, libraries etc. the way it is now?
And politics has always been cut throat, but it seems 100 times worse now ( where as before in might be a monthly fight, it seems to be endless now). etc etc.
But where does all this come from?
James points to us, and our passionate sins.
We would like to blame our parents, or government, poverty, our DNA, evolution ( which I do NOT believe in), or a million other things,
but in the end, it is our sin nature.
Fights, quarrels and even murder started with Cain and Abel.
And we have NOT evolved into 'peace'....only God can give us true 'peace.
People want something and if they can't get it one way or another, then they may resort to murder.
Do they pray about it tho?
Well some do....but they ask to have their evil desires fulfilled
( I still remember a silly song by Janis Joplin where she sang: "Oh Lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz, my friends all have Porsches...."
Not unlike what many people might ask ( can I have a million dollars, get that girl in bed, etc etc.) but such asking is not for God's glory, but for selfish sinful 'pleasures'.
But then comes a really really hard part, I think maybe more so now than ever before ( with the technology, entertainment etc.) we have these days
James says:
"friendship with the world is enmity with God".
One way this is 'tricky'....is we must live in the 'world' in order to be ambassadors for Jesus...
and yet....
We are not to 'conform to the World.
But we are like an adulteress when we LOVE....both the world
and
God ( and probably in that order....the world first.....and perhaps, not God therefore).
Friends with the world means we are actually enemies with God.
Loving the world is a terrible and serious sin, it causes God great pain and jealousy.
So now James gives 10 ways to overcome ( with God's help) the 'world'
For example we are not our own we have been bought with a price, and as such we are God's slaves.
However, tho we are not to blame or keep our minds on satan and his demons, nevertheless, his influence and whispers is a possibility added cause ( not the main cause but added) to our selfishness and evil desires.....so we can pray to the Lord to help us resist his influence.
etc.
We have to be very careful we are not judging others ( more concerned with the tiny splinter in their eye, than the log in our own).....but this is not the same as in love speaking to someone about sin ( in their life).
You have always pointed out things to me in great love, Cindy, and therefore, I can hear, understand, and ask the Lord to help me change.
The most recent was when I talked to you about the two woman neighbors...you helped me so much.
And then there is 'logical, practical, planning, but without taking God into account which makes it arrogant presumption.
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James
Sept 25, 2019 10:14:00 GMT -5
Post by Cindy on Sept 25, 2019 10:14:00 GMT -5
I didn't ever think about the demons having a 2-fold faith ( tho it clearly says so in scripture)....I only tho about the fact they KNEW....without any doubt whatsoever, that God was real!! After all, they had been in Heaven with Him.....but yeah, they also have an emotionally aspect to knowing Him.....I read that ( and may have even said it) but it didn't really really click until reading what you wrote so thank you.
I think of how some folks are super emotional in church ( I do not know if they are truly saved or not...)
but the thing is.....there could be a chance they were not, but by their emotional' expression ( if that was all there was) would seem to be they were.
More important than focusing on them, is to look at myself.....I need to be a doer not just and emotional 'hearer'.
James 4: 1-17
It's beginning to seem to me, that perhaps we live in the most violent times ever in the history of mankind
( or is heading that way).....
even in ancient times when babies were offered up to false gods, etc.
have we today, not killed more babies, than even in those times?
Terrorism is considered a guarantee to get to Heaven,
and tho all manner of sexual sins have always been with us,
was it ever legislated and propagandized to children in schools, libraries etc. the way it is now?
And politics has always been cut throat, but it seems 100 times worse now ( where as before in might be a monthly fight, it seems to be endless now). etc etc.
But where does all this come from?
James points to us, and our passionate sins.
We would like to blame our parents, or government, poverty, our DNA, evolution ( which I do NOT believe in), or a million other things,
but in the end, it is our sin nature.
Fights, quarrels and even murder started with Cain and Abel.
And we have NOT evolved into 'peace'....only God can give us true 'peace.
People want something and if they can't get it one way or another, then they may resort to murder.
Do they pray about it tho?
Well some do....but they ask to have their evil desires fulfilled
( I still remember a silly song by Janis Joplin where she sang: "Oh Lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz, my friends all have Porsches...."
Not unlike what many people might ask ( can I have a million dollars, get that girl in bed, etc etc.) but such asking is not for God's glory, but for selfish sinful 'pleasures'.
But then comes a really really hard part, I think maybe more so now than ever before ( with the technology, entertainment etc.) we have these days
James says:
"friendship with the world is enmity with God".
One way this is 'tricky'....is we must live in the 'world' in order to be ambassadors for Jesus...
and yet....
We are not to 'conform to the World.
But we are like an adulteress when we LOVE....both the world
and
God ( and probably in that order....the world first.....and perhaps, not God therefore).
Friends with the world means we are actually enemies with God.
Loving the world is a terrible and serious sin, it causes God great pain and jealousy.
So now James gives 10 ways to overcome ( with God's help) the 'world'
For example we are not our own we have been bought with a price, and as such we are God's slaves.
However, tho we are not to blame or keep our minds on satan and his demons, nevertheless, his influence and whispers is a possibility added cause ( not the main cause but added) to our selfishness and evil desires.....so we can pray to the Lord to help us resist his influence.
etc.
We have to be very careful we are not judging others ( more concerned with the tiny splinter in their eye, than the log in our own).....but this is not the same as in love speaking to someone about sin ( in their life).
You have always pointed out things to me in great love, Cindy, and therefore, I can hear, understand, and ask the Lord to help me change.
The most recent was when I talked to you about the two woman neighbors...you helped me so much.
And then there is 'logical, practical, planning, but without taking God into account which makes it arrogant presumption.
One thing I've rarely thought of, but realized recently, when we slander someone, we're actually judging them as well. (and gossip is often slander). I remember years ago I was trying to explain to everyone on the board that God doesn't want us saying anything bad about a fellow Christian - especially not for the rest of the world to hear. That's probably one of the worst things we can do. But around that same time there was an article posted about a pastor who asked his congregation to give up posting on Facebook because it was causing problems in marriages etc. You wouldn't believe the replies that got on our board. Our members were slandering that poor pastor when they didn't even know him or know the full story. They only knew what the article said. So I posted and told them the Lord doesn't want us to do that, and posted the scriptures even, but that didn't stop any of them. I couldn't believe it. But because the pastor was in their minds attacking something they liked (facebook) they were going to attack him. Sad. But that's how it goes a lot of the time. If we like something or someone, we'll stand up for it or them no matter what - even if God says we shouldn't. It's something that happens a lot these days and come to think of it, it's all about our feelings too!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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James
Sept 25, 2019 11:10:21 GMT -5
Post by fearnot on Sept 25, 2019 11:10:21 GMT -5
Today is the end of James.....unless I break in two's
(which is what I will most likely do)
because I do not know what we will study next....
or I guess I could choose Philemon
only one chapter)
and you could choose the next book HA!!
Which reminds me ( another reason to break this chapter up, because I do not know the answer)......
when we do a new book, and have to give the background, do we have to put it in our 'own words', also?
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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James
Sept 25, 2019 11:45:03 GMT -5
Post by fearnot on Sept 25, 2019 11:45:03 GMT -5
First half of
James 5:1-12
It is not exactly money and wealth per say James is condemning, but how they got it, how they keep it, how they worship it , how they are blind to its fleeting corrupting influence etc.
( unless the person is giving glory to God)
When the rich cheat, have no compassion ( even murder), use money to feed their selfish passions, they are really destroying their lives, especially in eternity, where they are storing up judgement for themselves.
They are in the end cheating and robbing themselves of true riches in eternity future.
The rich also hope their money will keep them safe and secure, but often the opposite happens, they become a target. They are not trusting in God for true lasting security....
( even when the worst happens God can give a believer peace that passes understanding).
I must admit I have often struggled with this concept, but I have read incredible true accounts of martyr who not only showed great courage but great peace.
Wealth can cause a person a lot of stress, fear and worry, but for most part, not a lot of worship.
But then James turns to those who are the victims of the rich oppression.
The answer in a nutshell ( tho not easy) is Be patient....and wait on the Lord.
Furthermore, another hard thing to do: Do not grumble.
James gives Job as an example of patience.
We ( I) need to remember: the Lord is compassionate and merciful....and coming back....
We are easily moved by wanting justice now, but we have to wait for God's timing.
I know people might say, well Jesus has been gone 2000 years give or take more or less years.....
Where is His coming?
And I always think of 2 things:
One is Israel was prophesied to be made a nation again.....but......that did not happen until about 2000 years had passed
The other thing I always remember is:
"But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day".
2 Peter 3:8
So God's patience's and mine are not the same.....
sometimes I have a hard time being patient for 5 mins......never mind a thousand years!!!!
Verse 12 seems a bit odd, to me, after talking about being patient....James warns not to take any oaths, but to tell the truth.
I don't have a problem with that advice, it just didn't seem to flow from one thought to another,
soooo..... if you have a bit more insight, I am all 'ears' LOL
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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James
Sept 26, 2019 9:22:23 GMT -5
Post by fearnot on Sept 26, 2019 9:22:23 GMT -5
2nd half of James 5:13-20
The Prayer of Faith
We all suffer in so many ways, and James says if we suffer to pray.
God understands suffering, and He can also comfort us and give us peace, even in the suffering.
Perchance we are happy, we are to sing and give thanks to God.
I think many people only think of physical sickness when they read: Is any one 'sick'....but there are other kinds of sicknesses:
mental, spiritual, and perhaps, in this case, as a result of relentless adversity and persecution, that had led to a sickness of heart, and/or faith.
The oil bit is a little mysterious, but it may be they had been wounded during persecution and oils were a way of healing and keeping infections at bay.
In any case, even with confessing of sins, it is God who will do the spiritual healing.
But we should never ever underestimate the power of prayer. We ( I) tend to forget that God hears all prayer....even if He says no, and a no, could be a wait, not yet ( after all God is not our private genii who must do whatever we ask).
But that in no way diminishes the power of prayer.
And James does mention the prayer of a 'righteous' man ( or woman).
Then James gives the example of Elijah! Now there was a powerful praying man!!!
Lastly if a believer gets led astray and wanders away, we are to bring them back, if at all possible. First we can pray for them. If we are housebound or a shut in, we won't be able to go to them, but perhaps we could e-mail, text, or call them ( assuming we know them well enough to have their e-mail etc.).
Its hard not to feel like a busy body, but this is to be done in love for the person.
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James
Sept 26, 2019 11:24:48 GMT -5
Post by Cindy on Sept 26, 2019 11:24:48 GMT -5
Today is the end of James.....unless I break in two's
(which is what I will most likely do)
because I do not know what we will study next....
or I guess I could choose Philemon
only one chapter)
and you could choose the next book HA!!
Which reminds me ( another reason to break this chapter up, because I do not know the answer)......
when we do a new book, and have to give the background, do we have to put it in our 'own words', also?
Yep. The point is to study the background information and then write what we think is most important to us and what will help us understand the book and apply it to our life better.
First half of
James 5:1-12
It is not exactly money and wealth per say James is condemning, but how they got it, how they keep it, how they worship it , how they are blind to its fleeting corrupting influence etc.
( unless the person is giving glory to God)
When the rich cheat, have no compassion ( even murder), use money to feed their selfish passions, they are really destroying their lives, especially in eternity, where they are storing up judgement for themselves.
They are in the end cheating and robbing themselves of true riches in eternity future.
The rich also hope their money will keep them safe and secure, but often the opposite happens, they become a target. They are not trusting in God for true lasting security....
( even when the worst happens God can give a believer peace that passes understanding).
I must admit I have often struggled with this concept, but I have read incredible true accounts of martyr who not only showed great courage but great peace.
Wealth can cause a person a lot of stress, fear and worry, but for most part, not a lot of worship.
But then James turns to those who are the victims of the rich oppression.
The answer in a nutshell ( tho not easy) is Be patient....and wait on the Lord.
Furthermore, another hard thing to do: Do not grumble.
James gives Job as an example of patience.
We ( I) need to remember: the Lord is compassionate and merciful....and coming back....
We are easily moved by wanting justice now, but we have to wait for God's timing.
I know people might say, well Jesus has been gone 2000 years give or take more or less years.....
Where is His coming?
And I always think of 2 things:
One is Israel was prophesied to be made a nation again.....but......that did not happen until about 2000 years had passed
The other thing I always remember is:
"But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day".
2 Peter 3:8
So God's patience's and mine are not the same.....
sometimes I have a hard time being patient for 5 mins......never mind a thousand years!!!!
Verse 12 seems a bit odd, to me, after talking about being patient....James warns not to take any oaths, but to tell the truth.
I don't have a problem with that advice, it just didn't seem to flow from one thought to another,
soooo..... if you have a bit more insight, I am all 'ears' LOL
2nd half of James 5:13-20
The Prayer of Faith
We all suffer in so many ways, and James says if we suffer to pray.
God understands suffering, and He can also comfort us and give us peace, even in the suffering.
Perchance we are happy, we are to sing and give thanks to God.
I think many people only think of physical sickness when they read: Is any one 'sick'....but there are other kinds of sicknesses:
mental, spiritual, and perhaps, in this case, as a result of relentless adversity and persecution, that had led to a sickness of heart, and/or faith.
The oil bit is a little mysterious, but it may be they had been wounded during persecution and oils were a way of healing and keeping infections at bay.
In any case, even with confessing of sins, it is God who will do the spiritual healing.
But we should never ever underestimate the power of prayer. We ( I) tend to forget that God hears all prayer....even if He says no, and a no, could be a wait, not yet ( after all God is not our private genii who must do whatever we ask).
But that in no way diminishes the power of prayer.
And James does mention the prayer of a 'righteous' man ( or woman).
Then James gives the example of Elijah! Now there was a powerful praying man!!!
Lastly if a believer gets led astray and wanders away, we are to bring them back, if at all possible. First we can pray for them. If we are housebound or a shut in, we won't be able to go to them, but perhaps we could e-mail, text, or call them ( assuming we know them well enough to have their e-mail etc.).
Its hard not to feel like a busy body, but this is to be done in love for the person.
We could do a study about joy, prayer, the fear of the Lord, the fear of other people, love, peace, God's rest, the internet in the end times, how the unsaved think, how the saved are supposed to think, discernment, idolatry, God has set us apart, anger, shame, beauty, the Church - body of believers, our conscience, our thoughts and feelings, curses, being doubleminded, having a hardened heart, God's character, How we're to treat other Christians, questionable things how we should deal with things that aren't specifically covered in the Bible), forgiveness, reconciliation, marriage, sin, complaining, revenge, Jesus's prayer in John 17, trials, women, worry and fear, God's discipline, heaven, hell, etc.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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James
Sept 26, 2019 12:22:35 GMT -5
Post by fearnot on Sept 26, 2019 12:22:35 GMT -5
I love you list of topics! All of them great!
I think we did joy once ( and I think it would not hurt to do it again.....especially for me)
But since we did do it once, maybe we could first look at a couple of the others......like
the fear of other people
how the unsaved think, how the saved are supposed to think,
being doubleminded,
questionable things how we should deal with things that aren't specifically covered in the Bible, complaining,
Jesus's prayer in John 17,
trials,
all of them over time, but those jumped out at me first.
But since we have not decided maybe I will choose John 17 tomorrow
and then see which ones you might want to do first.
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James
Sept 27, 2019 9:53:08 GMT -5
Post by Cindy on Sept 27, 2019 9:53:08 GMT -5
I love you list of topics! All of them great!
I think we did joy once ( and I think it would not hurt to do it again.....especially for me)
But since we did do it once, maybe we could first look at a couple of the others......like
the fear of other people
how the unsaved think, how the saved are supposed to think,
being doubleminded,
questionable things how we should deal with things that aren't specifically covered in the Bible, complaining,
Jesus's prayer in John 17,
trials,
all of them over time, but those jumped out at me first.
But since we have not decided maybe I will choose John 17 tomorrow
and then see which ones you might want to do first.
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James
Sept 27, 2019 9:54:29 GMT -5
Post by Cindy on Sept 27, 2019 9:54:29 GMT -5
I don't see a new thread yet for John 17, so I'll wait a bit and then check again....
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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James
Sept 27, 2019 10:39:15 GMT -5
Post by fearnot on Sept 27, 2019 10:39:15 GMT -5
A slightly crazy morning....been texting and calling Hossahah...
First Rylan stayed home
then we found out his sister gave him medicind
Then
Devon stayed home
and I just found out,
Aalyiah ( I never know how to spell her name arrgghh)
gave him medicine also
I have read John 17
and will start a new thread now
but since I have to talk to Hossanah again about Devon getting medicine also
I may cut Chapter 17 in half As I also have to monitor both boys home sick sigh.
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I'm about to make these bible studies even harder for us! That goes for me as well as everyone else though. From now on, no copying stuff out of commentaries, handbooks, articles or anything else. We can read them, but then if we want to use information we got from them, we need to put it in our own words. What we write should be so different from the way they wrote about it, that no one could read what they wrote and what we wrote and know that we got our information from them. Another way to put it is this: back on our old board there was a member who was constantly plagiarizing other people. He would copy an article or part of one and claim it was his own. All I had to do to find out who really wrote it was copy one or two sentences of what he'd posted and google would instantly take me to the real author. No one should be able to do that with anything we post in a bible study. OK?
!!
