The content of the book of James has been characterized as text that enforces “the practical duties of the Christian life (www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistle_of_James),” writing to encourage growth in the Christian faith (www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-James), and helpful instruction on Christian conduct (http://www.biblestudyinfo.com/james). If I had to summarize the book of James, I would say that it can be classified as “Faith 101.” Each chapter in James is packed with clear, Biblical instruction on how to live the Christian life.
In the first chapter of James, we read about trials and temptations. James 1:1-4 says, “Consider it joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” When we persevere during our trials, not only will we grow and mature spiritually, but we will be blessed. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” The crown of life and the blessings of God will be seen by believers in the next life, but Christians don’t have to wait until the afterlife to experience the abundant and blessed life that comes from following Christ. God will bless us in this life, as well.
All of us will face trials and temptations in our lives. Some days we will experience uninterrupted joy and blessings, while we fight our way through the darkness on other days. The important thing to remember is that we must persevere through the difficult times. No matter what we are facing, God is still good, He is still God, and He loves us. He may not always pull us out of a situation that we are facing, but He will always walk us through. Sometimes it is more important for us to go through a situation and reach the end victorious and strong than it is for us to be delivered from it. Don’t always pray that God will deliver you from a difficult or challenging circumstance. Instead, pray that He will walk you through it and give you the strength to endure your trials. That doesn’t mean that God won’t pull you out of a situation, it just means that when we face our fears or the problems in our lives in a Biblical way, then we grow and mature spiritually.
Even though we have given our lives to Christ that does not mean that we will not face temptation. It also does not mean that we will not sin. 1 John 1:8 says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” We will sin and fall short of God’s grace. The best that we can do is live our lives in a manner that is worthy of God’s calling by obeying His commands and repenting from sin when we do fall short. We have freedom from condemnation because Jesus died for our sins past, present and future, and we do not have to live feeling guilty and ashamed. However, this freedom in Christ does not give us the excuse to sin.
Even though we have given our lives to Christ that does not mean that we will not face temptation. It also does not mean that we will not sin. 1 John 1:8 says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” We will sin and fall short of God’s grace. The best that we can do is live our lives in a manner that is worthy of God’s calling by obeying His commands and repenting from sin when we do fall short. We have freedom from condemnation because Jesus died for our sins past, present and future, and we do not have to live feeling guilty and ashamed. However, this freedom in Christ does not give us the excuse to sin.
So what do we do when we are faced with temptation? “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death (James 1:13-15).” When we are tempted, we need to make the choice not to give in to the desires of our flesh. Remember 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” Jesus faced temptation too (Matthew 4:1; Mark 1:13; Luke 4:2). While Jesus never sinned, even though He was tempted by Satan, He understands what we go through, and He is able to help us. “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted (Hebrews 2:18).” God will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear, so take heart and stand firm.
James 1 also gives us clear instruction about listening, as well as putting our faith in action. James 1:19-21 says, “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” James is telling us that we need to be quick to listen and slow to speak. In verse 26, James goes on to say, “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” We need to know when to speak and when to listen, and we need to keep a tight rein on our tongue.
We also need to be slow to become angry. Not only are we imitating God when we are slow to become angry, but we are choosing to behave in a righteous manner that pleases Him, as opposed to acting out by throwing a tantrum. James encourages us to get rid of moral filth and evil, as well, which are both widely available in our world. Simply put, we need to accept God’s Word as the final say on how we need to be living our lives. I love what James says in verse twenty-two of chapter one. He states, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” Professing to know Jesus and knowing Him are different things entirely, and Jesus clearly stated that those who know and love Him will obey His commands and bear the fruit of the Spirit. So when it comes to God’s Word, just “do what it says (James 1:22).”
Chapter two of James starts off discussing favoritism in the body of Christ. James 2:1 -4 says, “My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby 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?” “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers (James 2:8-9).” Just as God does not show favoritism, we are to imitate God by not showing favoritism to others. James professes in these verses in chapter two that to show favoritism is to sin, because we are breaking the law of God that tells us to love our neighbor. One could also say that showing favoritism to one person is a way to abstain from showing love to another person.
The remainder of chapter two discusses faith and works. I believe this is one of the most important aspects of the Christian walk with Christ. Just as James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says,” these remaining verses stress the importance of not just talking the talk but walking the walk. “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).”
It is a beautiful thing to fellowship with God through prayer, reading His Word, attending church, and praising and worshiping the Lord in Spirit and in truth. Still, if all we do is bask in the glow of God’s glory, enjoy Him and the blessings we receive, then what good are we to God’s Kingdom? What kind of impact can we make by only sitting in a church pew? We can get out in our community and help those who live in our neighborhood, our city or our state. We can take missions where God is calling us and help people around the globe. We can bless and help others by praying for them, encouraging them, witnessing to them, or even just by smiling at or offering a compliment to a complete stranger.
The last verse in the second chapter of James really made me think. Today, I read this verse in a whole new light. “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead (James 2:26).” This verse reminds me that we are the body of Christ. We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our world. If we do not operate as His hands and feet, then we (His body), are dead, like a body is dead without the spirit. Our faith cannot be alive if we are not actively doing good works. Faith without works is merely lip service. How can we selfishly hold on to our faith and do nothing with it? We are most alive and most effective in our faith, when we choose to look outside of ourselves and give away what God has given to us.
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