Bible Matters 269: Gospel according to James

James saw his brother, Jesus, perform miracle after miracle.  Stand up to the Pharisees.  Persecuted, hung on the cross, died and rose up in the glory of God.  It was this final resurrection of Jesus that sanctified the heart of James into a believer of his brother Jesus Christ, as God.  When you believe in God, you repent of your sins and turn to him, living a righteous life in the name of Jesus Christ, loving God and loving one another.  The book of James captures the message of salvation given to you in the Gospel of Jesus Christ as presented in Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter and Jude.  James’s message of salvation is for believers.  His book is not salvation for dummies.  It is a graduate level course.  His gospel specifically states that when you are a believer of Jesus Christ, you show your faith by your works.  You live the will of God.

James 2:26 – For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

His message is for the Hebrews.   They knew God, as the creator of all things.   James was a servant of God.  He taught out of his Gospel.  James got it!

James 1:1 – James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

To understand the gospel, you must fear God and understand the consequences of not believing and living his Word. The devil will not do the will of God.  When you believe, you do the will of God.  

James 2:19 – Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

Jesus told you of the two great commandments.  Love God.  Love you neighbor as yourself.  Your faith is sanctified by the love you show to others.

James 2:1,5,8,10 – My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 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? If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

When you first believe from the heart, the devil will be all over you.  The devil wants you back.  Resist those temptations and let your faith be perfect, wanting no one but Jesus. 

James 1:2-4 – My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Repent and turn from your sinful ways.  Deciding never to return to that sinful existence walking with the devil.  Endure temptation and the Lord has promised you the crown of life, (everlasting life in heaven) for those that love him.  Only the Lord can save your souls.

James 1:12,21-22,27 – 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. 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. 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.

Living and doing the will of God for the glory of God.  Visiting and applying fervent acts of charity.  When you fail to live your faith, you deny God.  Jesus died for your sins and yet you cannot lift one little finger to give God the glory.  When you fail to serve God, it is sin. 

James 4:17 – Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

God sent Jesus, to instruct you on how to live a righteous life unto the Lord.  You are his creature. 

James 1:18 – Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Let the Word of God direct you.  Word by word, verse by verse and with the power of God, may God’s Word turn you from sin and misery.

James 3:3 – Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body…

You cannot serve the devil and God.  You must choose.  It is only when you choose God, will your life begin to change.  No longer unstable and bending with the wind and desires of the devil, but focused on

James 1:8 – A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

You are walking with the Lord, basting in his glory.  Remember the commandments of Jesus and his last words to Peter, “Feed my sheep.”   Let works, serving man and God, and sharing God’s word then sanctify your hearts.  To reinforce your faith by works. 

James 2:17-19,21-24 – 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.  Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?  Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.   Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

No longer lusting for the things of this earth and free from sin.  Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you.  Pray. 

James 4:2-8, 10 – 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.  Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.  Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?  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.

James 5:15 – And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

Seek fellowship with believers.  Confess your faults and challenge one another to live your lives in the glory of God. 

James 5:16 – Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

God gives glory to those that spread his word. 

James 5:20 – 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.

All wisdom from above is pure.  Enjoy the fruits of the Spirit, endure to the end with the crown of life or the life everlasting with Jesus. 

James 3:17-18 – 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.

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