All preachers face the same danger – teaching beyond their lived experience. It has always been easier to talk about prayer than to pray. It has always been easier to preach about love and devotion than to serve our fellow humans – especially some of those we know! Very early (James may be the first New Testament book written), as the Christian faith began to consolidate in the known (Roman) world, James set out to correct this weakness: “My dear brothers ... everyone should be slow to speak ... Not many of you should presume to be teachers ... because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly” (1:19; 3:1 niv, unless otherwise noted). Perhaps you smile and think, “Thankfully, I am not a Bible teacher.” Wake up! James’ letter is for all of us: “But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.” He then praises those who are not “hearers who forget but doers who act – they will be blessed in their doing” (1:22, 25 NRSV)
What Do We Know About James?
Matthew and Mark tell us that Jesus had sisters, and they provide the names of His four brothers: James, Joseph, Simon and Judas (Mt. 13:55; Mk. 6:3). Although there is some debate, most agree that two of these half-brothers are the authors of the James and Jude epistles. John tells us that during Jesus’ ministry, “his own brothers did not believe in him” (Jn. 7:5). The apostle Paul informs us that after His resurrection, Jesus appeared to “all the apostles” and to James (1 Cor. 15:7). It cannot be proved, but some think it likely that this James was His half-brother and that this encounter with the risen Christ was the event that radically changed him.
We next read of James as one of the leaders in the Christian assembly in Jerusalem (Gal. 1:19) and a key figure at the Jerusalem council (Acts 15:13). Paul’s comments in 1 Corinthians 9:5-6, suggest that this James was probably a married man, working full-time for the Lord, who together with his wife, sometimes visited fellow believers.
It is well known that the reformer Martin Luther held the Epistle of James in low esteem. In his mind, its focus was Jewish and lacked the heavy doctrinal thoughts of Paul’s epistles. He referred to James as a “right strawy epistle.” Given Luther’s rediscovery of “salvation by faith alone,” and his great battle to defend this truth, we can understand why he did not appreciate James’ emphasis on “works.” Yet the Epistle of James, together with all the other canonical writings, form the inspired Word of God. We do wrong if we downgrade any. The two letters written by Jesus’ half-brothers are best understood as corrective epistles: Jude seeks to correct deficient doctrine (Jude 3, 17) and James, as we shall see, seeks to correct deficient behavior.
The James’ letter is similar in structure to Proverbs – that is, it doesn’t have much structure! James, like Solomon, has a number of themes or concerns which come and go and come again throughout his writings. Yet, in order to get a handle on this epistle, I offer the following outline.
Doers Of The Word – No Excuses! James 1
James is tired of theological flowers and pretty mental patterns. He calls for action! If you believe God’s word, act on it: “Do what it says” (1:22). It has been said that the only parts of the Bible we really believe are the parts we obey. James would say a big “amen” to that.
Are you going through a difficult time? Are you facing trials of many kinds? This does not justify slacking in obedience. God will use these trials for blessing (1:2- 3). Is your passivity caused by confusion? Don’t just stay there: ask God for necessary wisdom, “who gives generously to all without finding fault” (1:5). Stressed by doubts? If God says it, simply believe it – and then act on it! (1:6-8). Do you think you are too poor to be an active Christian? (1:9). Is the drive to gain more money limiting your effectiveness as a Christian? (1:10-11). Are you being distracted by subtle temptations? (1:12-15). Do other people make you angry? Does your bad temper discourage you from striving for practical holiness? (1:19-20). For James these are distracting excuses. The Lord wants to change us through His Word. James urges us to “humbly accept the word implanted in you” (1:21).
He ends this first chapter with another common argument to justify personal inaction. Some of us may say “I profess a respectable religion” or “I belong to a Bible believing congregation” or “I hold to conservative doctrine.” James answers, “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight reign on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless” (1:26). True Christian religion becomes evident in the believers character and by what he says and does. How would James view your type of Christianity?
Do You Have God’s Love? – Show It! James 2:1-16
For James, the outside displays what’s inside – our speech displays our state of heart, and our actions display our real theology. In this, James’ straightforward approach is very similar to the teachings of Jesus himself, who encouraged His listeners to look at the fruit in order to determine the type of tree (Mt. 7:15-23). The test proposed by James is simple: “Show it” (2:18; 3:13).
Favoritism: We can imagine James enjoying the melodious new Christian songs in the Jerusalem congregation, such as “Oh, How I love Jesus” and “What A Wonder To Be Part Of The Family Of God.” Then a leading apostle stands up and addresses the congregation: “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” (1 Jn. 3:18). The congregation responds with an enthusiastic “Amen!” Amid this quasi-celestial scene, a discordant note is heard: a wealthy man and a poor man walk into the congregation. Within seconds the wealthy man is led to a prominent seat, while the poor man still stands at the door. Half an hour later James looks again, and the poor man is now sitting on the floor. “My brothers,” James exhorts them, “as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism” (2:1). What do you think James would say if he entered a modern Christian congregation which shows preference for a certain race, educational level or social standing?
Noble thoughts: The meeting is over and the saints grab their winter coats and head home to a nice Sunday lunch. Again James’ keen eye spots a nasty scene: a poor sister and her children walk out into the cold air without coats. Fellow saints smile and wave to them: “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed” (2:16). Yet no one offers them coats or invites them to lunch. “What good is it?” Charity without action is useless. Do you have the Lord’s love in your heart? How do you show it? Be practical: phone that sister who had a baby. Offer to do the shopping for that elderly brother who can’t get out. Look after those children so the weary parents can have an evening out. Be a generous driver. Make room for someone. Send an encouraging note or e-mail. Invite that immigrant to supper. Get the idea?
Do You Have Saving Faith? – Show It! James 2:14-26
James now turns to doctrinal matters. “Faith by itself” he says, “if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (2:17). “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead” (2:26). Some think that James is contradicting or picking a fight with Paul who wrote, “We maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the Law.” He also wrote, “The man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness” (Rom. 3:28; 4:5).
Interestingly, both James and Paul use Abraham to illustrate their point. There is no conflict here: Paul makes it clear that we are saved by faith when we trust in the Lord, when we unconditionally hand ourselves over to Christ. But then, adds James, this saving faith cannot remain static; it necessarily shows itself. New birth means new life. True conversion initiates motion. A change in heart leads to a change in life. If you were followed constantly, could a secret agent collect enough evidence to prove conclusively that you have saving faith?
Saving faith is more than mental acceptance of a set of correct doctrines. Even demons know the correct doctrines (2:19). Saving faith is more than happy feelings and moving emotions. Even demons “tremble” and “shudder” when confronted with the truth (2:19). Saving faith is based on correct doctrine, touches our emotions, yet also involves an act of the will. Deep inside we acknowledge our sin and turn to Christ seeking His forgiveness. We hand our life over to Him; we invite Him to take full control.
Saving faith is so simple even a child can be born again. And yet it is profound and life changing. Have you exercised saving faith? Have you been born again? Does your life show it?
By Philip Nunn
Look for the conclusion to this two-part Series next month.