The Book of James

STUDY INDEX

Page 1 Introduction and Outline; Trials are a means of growth

Page 2 Godly wisdom; Trials affect everyone; Differences between trials and temptations

Page 3 Hearing the Word and doing it; Being impartial

Page 4 Professing faith and proving it

Page 5 The tongue

Page 6 Earthly wisdom; Sinful behavior

Page 7 Speaking evil; Presumptuous living; Selfish wealth

Page 8 Patience and endurance; Simple honesty

Page 9 Prayer

Page 10 Converting the sinner

 

Introduction

We are going to have a different kind of Bible Study this month. Instead of addressing a particular topic, we are going to examine closely the writings of the Book of James. James is a small, but powerful book, and contains many teachings the modern church needs to rediscover.

The Book of James is classified as a "general epistle", because it is addressed to a wide audience and not to a local body or church. References in the salutation indicate that James wrote this letter to Jewish Christians, possibly those who had been scattered by persecution, to encourage those who were suffering trials and temptations, and to correct erroneous doctrine concerning the relationship of faith and works. James was the half-brother of Jesus and a leader in the Church at Jerusalem. The authoritative language of his book attests to his leadership role. Matthew Henry comments on the book of James, "This epistle of James is one of the most instructive writings in the New Testament. Being chiefly directed against particular errors at that time brought in among the Jewish Christians, it does not contain the same full doctrinal statements as the other epistles, but it presents an admirable summary of the practical duties of all believers. The leading truths of Christianity are set forth throughout; and on attentive consideration, it will be found entirely to agree with St. Paul's statements concerning grace and justification, while it abounds with earnest exhortations to the patience of hope and obedience of faith and love, interspersed with warnings, reproofs, and encouragements, according to the characters addressed. The truths laid down are very serious, and necessary to be maintained; and the rules for practice ought to be observed in all times. In Christ there are no dead and sapless branches, faith is not an idle grace; wherever it is, it brings forth fruit in works."

There are several major features which characterize the Book of James. First, it is generally believed to be the first of the New Testament books written, around 45-49 A.D. Second, it contains more references to Christ's teachings than all of the other epistles combined. Third, the book contains many commands, godly wisdom and analogies, making it a "Proverbs of the New Testament". Fourth, James is called the "Amos of the New Testament" because he vigorously addresses inequality and social injustice. Finally, more than other epistles, James addresses the relationship between faith and works, and examines how our faith, if a true saving faith, is justified and evidenced by our works.

General Outline

Salutation and Greetings (James1:1)

I. Trials and Temptations

A. They are a means of growth (1:2-4)

B. Pray for wisdom to deal with our trials (1:5-8)

C. Trials "level the playing field" (1:9-12)

D. Differences between trials and temptations (1:13-18)

II. Hearing the Word and Doing It (1:19-27)

III.Being Impartial (2:1-13)

IV. Professing Faith and Proving It (2:14-26)

V.Recognizing Pitfalls and Avoiding Them

A. The tongue (3:1-12)

B. Earthly wisdom (3:13-18)

C. Sinful behavior (4:1-10)

D. Speaking against your brother (4:11-12)

E. Presumptuous living (4:13-17)

F. Selfish wealth (5:1-6)

VI. Developing Christian Virtues

A. Patience and endurance (5:7-11)

B. Simple honesty (5:12)

C. Prayer (5:13-18)

D. Converting the sinner (5:19-20)

Trials are a means of growth

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." (1:2-4).

When our second son was born, he was placed in the intensive care unit within a couple of hours after birth. He had developed a hole in one lung, and then later, the other lung. After about a week, he seemed to be fine. They had taken him off the respirator and he was breathing normally. They had taken the tubes out of his chest. Our hopes and spirits were lifted that he would be coming home soon. Then suddenly, his abdomen began filling with fluid, his was dehydrating, he was near death unless emergency surgery was performed. We were overwhelmed. Where once there was hope and faith, suddenly there was despair. The enemy had come in like a flood.

The man Job knew about the flood. God removed the hedge around Job allowing Satan to come in like a flood against him. Everything went from peace and tranquility to sudden despair and grief in just one day. Job lost his home, his family, his possessions and his health in a matter of minutes. But somehow, through the fog, Job was able to look with all confidence toward Heaven and proclaim, "Though He slay Me, yet will I trust Him!" (Job 13:15). If we could only learn to do this. But we don't. In the midst of the flood, we question and doubt God. We fall in the hour of temptation and pick up old sins and habits we had laid aside long ago. Instead of acting with patience, we instead react with passion. Instead of using the trial as an instrument for learning, we beg that it be taken away. Paul himself cried out three times that the Lord would take away his "thorn in the flesh." Instead, Jesus taught him, "My grace is sufficient for thee." This trial, whatever it was, served a purpose - to keep Paul from being exalted above measure; to keep him humble. Paul would go on to say that he glories in his infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon him, and he takes pleasure in persecutions, infirmities and reproaches (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). "The trial of your faith," Peter said, "being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.... Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." (1 Peter 1:7, 4:13)

If you want to know what kind of person or Christian you are, how you react in the midst of a trial is the barometer by which you will be measured. Jesus told a parable of two houses. The houses were identical. They looked the same outside and inside. But there was one crucial difference, not visible to the eye. One was built upon a rock. The other was built upon sand. Jesus said (Matthew 7: 24-27) that the person who hears His words and does them is like a man who built his house upon a rock. The wind howled and the rain beat upon the house and the FLOODS came against it, BUT IT DID NOT FALL. But the person who hears His words and does NOT do them, is like a man who built his house upon sand. The wind unmercifully beat it down, the floods overtook it, and the rain pounded against it, and the house fell, and great was the fall of it. These floods of life are a great revealer. The houses were identical, but the storms revealed the foundation upon which each house was built. It revealed the kind of man which built each house.

You are not alone in your trials. God is allowing them to happen to reveal your weaknesses so that your faith may be purified. It is not easy, but God is faithful to complete the work He is doing in you. The Lord sits upon the flood which Satan has released against you (Psalms 29:10). God is controlling it, and will not allow you to endure anything above what you are able to bear. God has promised us through Isaiah, "When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him" (Isaiah 59:19). "But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine." God assures us. "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour." (Isaiah 43:1-3).

James exhorts us, "The trying of your faith worketh patience; let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

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