Posts Tagged ‘James’
A Living Faith Evidenced in Godly Affections: Part 2 (James 4:1-12)
James 4 begins by addressing the manifest problem of quarreling and fighting. James pinpoints the source of such a problem. Then he reveals the solution to that problem. The Source of the Problem: Worldly Passions (James 4:1–4) What are passions? And what makes them worldly? Passions are fleshly desires or lusts (desires misdirected). According to…
Read MoreA Living Faith Evidenced in Godly Affections – Part 1 (James 4:1-12)
This section addresses and expands upon James’ third example (James 1:27) of what it means to be a doer of the Word (James 1:22)—keep oneself unspotted from the world. James 4:1–12 brings to a climax the heart of the problem (worldliness rooted in lusts) and the ultimate solution (humble repentance). This section can be outlined…
Read MoreA Living Faith Evidenced in Wise Speech and Conduct Part 2 (James 3:1–18)
Click here to read part one. A small thing can make a big difference. A tiny bit in a horse’s mouth can turn that massive beast in the direction that the rider determines. A small rudder on a huge ship has the power to turn that massive boat in the direction that the pilot determines.…
Read MoreA Living Faith Evidenced in Wise Speech and Conduct Part 1 (James 3:1–18)
The Book of James is held together by the theme Tests of a Living Faith. The main exhortation of James is to be a doer of the Word, and not a hearer only who deceives himself about the genuineness of his claim to Faith (James 1:22). Being a doer of the Word can be exemplified…
Read MoreA Living Faith Evidenced in Works of Obedience: Part 2 (James 2:14–26)
Click here to read part 1. The meaning of James 2:14–26 must be understood by a careful understanding of the words and phrases in context. The passage may be outlined as follows: An Inoperative Faith is Useless (James 2:14–19) The Key Question (James 2:14) The Illustration (James 2:15–16) The Answer (James 2:17) The Challenge (James…
Read MoreA Living Faith Evidenced in Refraining from Partiality (James 2:1–13, Part 2)
Out of all the examples that you could think of to pick out to prove the genuineness of a person’s faith, what would be at the top of your list? What sins would you identify to show someone to be a hypocrite rather than living out a genuine faith? How many of us would have…
Read MoreA Living Faith Evidenced in Refraining from Partiality (James 2:1–13, Part 1)
James 2:1-13 should be read in light of James’ main concern of his letter (James 1:19–27 with Matthew 7:21, 24). What is the main concern of James’ letter? Hiebert identifies it: “Such obeying of the Word constitutes the essence of living faith. These verses express James’ central concern.”1 James 2:1-13 summarizes one of James’ prime…
Read MoreA Living Faith Evidenced in One’s Response to Scripture (James 1:19-27)
In James 1:1-18, James the half-brother of Jesus and pastor of the Jerusalem church addressed the circumstances of suffering that his scattered flock was enduring. A living faith is evidenced in one’s response to trials (see the previous posts here). And it is in such circumstances of suffering that one’s faith will be challenged regarding…
Read MoreAn Overview of the Book of James
The Book of James may be one of the most needful encouragements and exhortations to believers in our day. Of course, every book of the Bible seems that way when you’re teaching through it verse by verse. That’s because every part of the Bible is supremely powerful to address us according to what’s most needed…
Read MoreA Living Faith that Overcomes the Temptation of Doubting God
This part 5 of a 5-part series. For previous posts, click the following: part 1; part 2; part 3; part 4. I’ve often heard it said that the most common reason people give for turning away from God is not due to some intellectual hangup but due to some horrible experience of suffering. If that’s…
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