James
Summary: James the Just. People would later call him that being the bishop of Jerusalem. Written to the believers who were scattered about the Mediterranean by persecution James looks to address issues the where rising up. At the time to cull the hostility of their surroundings James had noticed believers allowing intellectual agreement pass as true faith, combined with partiality between of visitors and lack of wisdom is addressed with in his letter. James who was brother of Jesus never claimed to be anything more then a slave to the Lord. His book parallels the Oral Torah much like the teachings of Jesus and is full of rich connections that still can be found in Mishnah today. The things to highlight about this Epistle is James advice about trials and his position of faith justified by works. Though it would seem to contradict Paul stance at the matter. Still if you dig deep you find both the root of there ideas are the same. Enjoy this journey as much as I did.
Things I Noticed:
1. Count it all joy my brothers when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
2. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. BUT let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
3. Blessed is the the man who remains steadfast under trails, for when he has stood the he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to this who love him.
4. Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. (Not someone else tempting us. The seed of that desire is already there.)
5. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin and sin when it has fully grown brings forth death.
6. Every good and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
7. If anyone thins he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.
8. If you play the game of partiality then you are in Sin. So if I come dressed like a bum and some guy comes in a semi-formal and your nicer to him over me. Then sin is abounding. Things like this happen all the time.
9. For Judgement is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over Judgement. (This need to be remembered when bring someone back out of sin.)
10. Faith without works is dead
11. I will show you my faith by my works. (Loves James claim here)
12. You believe God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe-- and shudder!
13. Faith was active along with his works and completed by his works.
14. A persons is justified by works not by faith alone. ( That being said you can talk a good walk but what does you life say about you?)
15. We who teach will be judge with greater strictness. ( I still want to teach)
16. Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be every vile practice.
17. Wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
18. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
19. Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
20. God oppose the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourself therefore to God. Resist the devil, ad he will flee from you.
21. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
22. Be patient Establish your hearts
23. Do not grumble against your brothers (other churches), so that you may not be judged; behold the Judge is standing at the door.
24. Do not swear or make an oath but let your yes be yes and your no be no so you won't be condemned.
25. James 5:13-16 Discusses Church conduct.
26. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (Example is very Jewish and uses Elijah stopping the rain with prayer and starting the rain again in prayer.
2. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. BUT let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
3. Blessed is the the man who remains steadfast under trails, for when he has stood the he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to this who love him.
4. Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. (Not someone else tempting us. The seed of that desire is already there.)
5. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin and sin when it has fully grown brings forth death.
6. Every good and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
7. If anyone thins he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.
8. If you play the game of partiality then you are in Sin. So if I come dressed like a bum and some guy comes in a semi-formal and your nicer to him over me. Then sin is abounding. Things like this happen all the time.
9. For Judgement is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over Judgement. (This need to be remembered when bring someone back out of sin.)
10. Faith without works is dead
11. I will show you my faith by my works. (Loves James claim here)
12. You believe God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe-- and shudder!
13. Faith was active along with his works and completed by his works.
14. A persons is justified by works not by faith alone. ( That being said you can talk a good walk but what does you life say about you?)
15. We who teach will be judge with greater strictness. ( I still want to teach)
16. Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be every vile practice.
17. Wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
18. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
19. Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
20. God oppose the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourself therefore to God. Resist the devil, ad he will flee from you.
21. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
22. Be patient Establish your hearts
23. Do not grumble against your brothers (other churches), so that you may not be judged; behold the Judge is standing at the door.
24. Do not swear or make an oath but let your yes be yes and your no be no so you won't be condemned.
25. James 5:13-16 Discusses Church conduct.
26. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (Example is very Jewish and uses Elijah stopping the rain with prayer and starting the rain again in prayer.
Ruth and Naomi are up next. Come see what I find in the story of tragedy and redemption. Till then, Read up, Post up, and Shalom.
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