Simply James

Bible Matters 545:  Simply James

There were twelve disciples (Apostles) that were sent to deliver the word of God to the Jews and Gentiles.   Of these eleven, three have given testimony in the New Testament of the word of God, delivered by Matthew, John and Peter.  Five additional disciples have given testimony delivered by Mark, Luke, Paul, James and Jude.  Each of these witnesses gave their own version of the gospel that Jesus delivered.  James spoke out of his epistle.  Jude spoke out of his epistle.  Matthew spoke out of his gospel, etc.  The devil would love for you to think that the only way to heaven is to follow the teachings of John or Paul, but that is absolutely not the case.  That is why the testimony out of the mouth of one witness, is not the truth.  John 1:1 and Acts 16:31 are but two examples. 

John 1:1 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Acts 16:31 – And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

That is exactly why God has told you that the truth in God’s word can be found out of the mouth of two or three witnesses.  Following the truth in God’s word, one will recognize God’s gospel of Love that is presented by each of the New Testament witnesses. 

If you want to read the truth in God’s word without a lot of frills, then read James.  James is but five chapters, simply presenting the word of God.     Every chapter presents a simple message of serving God and neighbor.   When you love God, you are to live a life unto righteousness. 

James 1:12 – Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Faith without works is dead.  Repent and then do your works of love.

James 1:20-23,25,27 – For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Your works will prove your faith.

James 2:2-6,8-9,17-20, 24-26 – For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;  And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:  Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?  Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?  But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?  If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:  But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?   Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.  Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. 

God is looking for your fruit unto righteousness.

James 3:2-5,8,13,17-18 – For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.  Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.  Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.  Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!  But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.  Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Regardless as to how important that you may think you are, life is but a vapor. 

James 4:2-3,6-8,10,14-17 – Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.  Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.  Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanishes away.  For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.  But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.  Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

God tells you to endure to the end.  God is looking for you to share his word.  Sharing his word, can save a sinner from death.

James 5:9,11,18-20 – Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.  Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.  And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.  Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;  Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

To God be the glory in all you do, Amen.