James, "Watch Yourself"

As we set the clocks forward a few weeks ago, I felt as if the Holy Spirit was prompting me to restart my living room Bible study.  Multiple people had asked me about it and I even mentioned it in my weekly blog, so we started on March 12 reading the New Testament book of James. I was intrigued to read this particular book because James is believed to have been the brother of Jesus.  He is mentioned in Matthew 13:55 as the people questioned how and where Jesus gained His ability to teach, “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?”  James is comprised of five brief chapters that I summarize as “Watch Yourself.”  

James’ writing voice reminds me of Paul, but I think James is a much more direct Christian advisor.  Paul is more wordy, while James’ illustrations are more concise.  Following a short illustration, James says in 2:17, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.  In other words, it’s not just what’s in our heart that makes us a Christian, but in the actions that flow from our heart.  Anyone can say they believe in Jesus, but not everyone lives a life that produces fruit like Jesus taught. Our Bible study group is called Word to Practice Ministries based on Philippians 4:9, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”  I chose this name because I don’t think it’s enough just to study the Word of God, we as a group, must be putting it into practice.  It’s not enough to know it, but we must live it in our everyday lives as we serve in our churches and in our community. 

Twice, James uses the phrase double-minded, but he alludes to it even more. A double-minded person is one who operates on two opposing sets of beliefs.  James 1:5-8 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”  The two opposing sets of beliefs here are faith and unbelief. These concepts are mutually exclusive, yet many people operate on both principles, double-minded.  In James 4:8 he uses double-minded again, but earlier in the passage (verse 4) he states, “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”  Believers are double-minded by participating in worldly activities and methods of thinking.  The world and the ways of God are mutually exclusive, but sometimes we do find ourselves living in a grey area - which is not Biblical. 

James begins and ends advising that we trust God’s timing and not be anxious while we wait. In Chapter 1:2, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. In Chapter 5 he says, “Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.”  No one enjoys trials, or maybe I should speak for myself alone. I don’t enjoy trials, I always feel like they are going to last forever. I can’t envision life on the other side of the trial.  I am a planner by nature, and in the midst of a trial, I can’t plan anything - which may be the point!  James tells us in 4:13-17, that when we make plans and do not submit them unto the Lord saying, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that,” then we are boasting.  Chapter 5 says, we should be patient until the Lord comes. James doesn’t say it will be soon, but John does! 

James finishes his writing with, 5:19 “My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”  This brings me to my final point.  There is space for more people at Bible study.  I’m not suggesting that you call someone a sinner then invite them to Bible study, I’m just saying I have more chairs and we can move to a bigger room when needed, it’s beneficial for all!  Amen. ​

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If it is the Lord's will, I will be hosting a Book Release Celebration today
(Sunday, April 12) at 3pm. 
It's scheduled to be held on the patio of
Hickory Tavern on Celanese Rd. in Rock Hill, SC 29732. 
​All are invited!