James 5:12-20 ~ Pray, Pray, Pray and Save

The letter of James ends on a note of prayer. There is an emphasis of praying for the "sick". While some may interpret "sick" as physical illness, the original Greek translation tells us otherwise. "Sick" in verse 14 refers to astheneo i.e. "weak" while "sick" in verse 15 comes from kamno i.e. "weary". Seeing how astheneo is the negative form of the verb sthenoo ("to strengthen"), it is only appropriate to call the elders of the church to strengthen those who may be weak spiritually, in line with Paul's exhortation to those who are spiritual to restore those caught in transgression in a spirit of gentleness (Galatians 6:1). This applies similarly to those who are "sick" or weary - kamno appears only one other time in the Bible in Hebrews 12:3 - an image of those who are weary from the suffering and persecutions they undergo (flowing on from the same thought in the earlier section of James 5). Just as how we are to pray for those who are "sick", similarly we should also endeavour to bring back a sinner from his wandering that his soul may be saved from death as he comes to accept Christ as His Saviour and Lord.

Have you been praying lately? What are you praying for? And what are you actively doing for those things that you've prayed for?

James 4:13 - 5:6 ~ Boasting about Tomorrow and Warning to the Rich

How many of us make plans for the future? I daresay, all of us. But how many of us acknowledge God's sovereignty in our plans?

The last segment of James 4 teaches us that planning without including God in the picture is a form of arrogant boasting. Such boasting is evil as one fails to understand that all things, including these future plans, happen according to God's will. Those who plan as such with a future profit in mind have also forgotten what James taught us in James 1:17: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. This planner neglects to acknowledge that God is the source of all good things including the future profit that he has planned for - he is not to claim credit for whatever profit he makes and demonstrate self-centredness by so doing.

Chapter 5 continues on the theme of profit by warning the rich not to self-indulge at the expense of oppressing others. They are told that their earthly riches are not eternal and the irony of fattening oneself in a day of slaughter (James 5:5) points towards impending judgment.

How about us? How do we fare? Do we store up treasures for ourselves that do not last? Or do we lay our treasures in heaven as we seek the riches of His Kingdom first?

James 3:13 - 4:12 ~ The Christians in between God and the World

The series on James continues with the issue of wisdom and worldliness. The second half of James 3 differentiates false wisdom from true wisdom. False wisdom is earthly while true wisdom comes down from above. The unspiritual and demonic characteristics of false wisdom is contrasted with that of true wisdom: pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reasons, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. As such, it is predictable that false wisdom produces jealousy, selfish ambition, disorder and every vile practice, while true wisdom sows a harvest of righteousness. Such wisdom and understanding is demonstrated in him who shows his works in the meekness of wisdom by his good conduct and in him who seeks to make peace.

James continues his letter by warning his readers against worldliness in chapter four. Due to passions, desire, covetousness and friendship with the world, quarrels, fights, murder, enmity with God, and adultery with the world happen. What should rather be happening is for God's people to ask correctly i.e. seek wisdom from above (relating back to James 1 and 3) and seek contentment and peace instead.

James goes on to explain how this can be done in verses 7-10. One should submit to God and resist the devil. He should draw near to God - Jesus has provided the access we need and the act of drawing near indicates the direction of submission to God. Rather than sinning, one should repent and cleanse his hands. Rather than being double-minded, one should purify his heart. He is also to be wretched, mourn and weep (mirroring the beatitudes and woes in the Sermon on the Mount). Humility is also a key element in submission itself that God's people may then be exalted, being rich in faith and co-heirs with Christ of God's Kingdom. One should also be wary about judging others for there is only one lawgiver and judge: God, who is able to save and destroy. Again, James is repeating himself here with what he has warned his readers previously in James 2.

Now equipped with the understanding of this passage, where do you see yourself standing? On God's side or with the world? Or perhaps a little double-mindedness as you shift to-and-fro between both sides? Which characteristics described in this passage do you identify best with, and is there a need to change? It's time we reflect the intentions of our hearts and seek His wisdom first...

James 3:1-12 ~ Taming the Tongue

The first half of James 3 sees the tongue as a small yet powerful member of the body that is able to curse with evil intent. The teachers of the faith have been warned that they will be judged with greater strictness (verse 1) as they should display exemplary character for those whom they teach to follow. Yet verse 2 tell us that despite this, many still stumble as no one is perfect. While the many analogies James put forth may at first glance point to the tongue being the member that controls the rest of the body, we need to remember that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34) and by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned (Matthew 12:37).

Just as how James questioned the logic to have a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water (verse 11), likewise it ought not to be so to have from the same mouth come blessing and cursing (verse 10). As we have learnt earlier that it is ultimately our heart or inner desires and intentions that shape the things we say (and think and do), our response should be one of repentance and a change of heart. We have the perfect man (verse 2) in Christ who models to us how we should align our desires to that of His will that we may grow in our godliness in thought, speech and action. Being sinful in nature, it is acknowledged that no human being can tame the tongue (verse 8) - it cannot be denied that we can still stumble but at the very least, we can still repent and seek to follow His ways.

James 2 ~ Dead or Alive?

The second chapter of James covers 2 main issues: (a) the sin of partiality; and (b) faith without works is dead. Partiality is an act of irony for such transgressors who have been shown mercy by God in His salvation plan through our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory (verse 1) are now instead judging others and not showing them mercy. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy and mercy triumphs over judgment (verse 13). We need to remember that we will one day be judged under the law of liberty and therefore, should speak and act as such (verse 12).

While verse 26 tells us that faith apart from works is dead, it does not refute that we are saved by grace through faith alone and not by our own works so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). What James is telling us instead is that because of this faith that we now have, we are to outwardly express it in our works, consistent with the desire to live a life imitating Christ. This is how faith becomes active along with works and is completed by works (verse 22).

So friends, is our faith dead or alive? Are we living out our faith in the way we think, speak and act? Or do our deeds (e.g. showing partiality) contradict what we believe in?

Let's strive to live our lives for Him! =)

James 1:19-27 ~ Hearing and Doing the Word

The second half of James 1 extends on from the idea of the word of truth discussed about in James 1:18. In verses 19-27, we learn how we are to respond to this word of truth: to receive with meekness the implanted word (verse 21) and to be doers of the word, and not hearers only (verse 22). This doer (and hearer) of the word is also the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres (verse 25). Again, the idea of remaining steadfast during trials (as we have seen last week) is repeated here. The perfect law, the law of liberty refers to that of Jesus Christ who has died on the cross to free us from our bondage to sin - contrast this new law to the old Mosaic law where man's sinful nature makes it impossible to fully obey all ten commandments.

The use (or rather warning) of the tongue is also introduced in this first chapter (with more emphasis later in James 3). The reader is cautioned to be quick to hear but slow to speak, slow to anger (verse 19) and to bridle his tongue (verse 26).

The two main ideas of "doing the word" and "bridling the tongue" are interlinked in verses 26-27. Pure and undefiled religion (or rather the outward expression of our faith) as James pointed out is to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. In the days of James, orphans and widows are the most neglected members of the society who have no one to fend for them or to rely on. What verse 27 is trying to teach us is to remember to care for those who are less fortunate or privileged than us i.e. those who are in need. Keeping oneself unstained from the world can be related back to the idea of resisting temptations (discussed last week) and also setting the right priorities in life with God first above all things including riches, which is consistent with the earlier teaching to care for the needy and also flows onto James 2 that opens with lessons on riches and partiality (more on that next week).

A few questions to reflect on then:

1. How do you put into practice the concept of hearing and doing the Word?
2. What have you done or can do to help the "orphans and widows" in our world today (starting from your own congregation)?
3. What are some of the things of this world that may potentially "stain" you and how do you avoid them?

The study on James continues next Friday in IBF as we begin exploring Chapter 2... ^_^

James 1:2-18 ~ Acting in Adversity

Looking at this first half of James chapter one, our group discussed that it was possible to further divide the passage into the following sections (with their corresponding themes):

v1: Greetings
v2-4: Steadfastness (idea repeated in James 5:7-12)
v5-8: Wisdom (James 3:13-18), Prayer (James 5:13-18)
v9-11: Humility (James 3:5, 14; 4:6, 10, 16), Riches (James 2:1-7; 5:1-6)
v12-15: Steadfastness, Temptations (James 4:2-4)
v16-18: Gifts from God (James 5:7-11)

This part of James focuses a lot on trials and temptations. How are we to respond correctly when met with trials? Verse 2 tells us to count it all joy (which may be linked with the promise of the crown of life in verse 12) while remaining steadfast (verses 3 and 12). We may also ask God if we lack wisdom (verse 5) to handle such trials.

A vast amount of God's character is also revealed in this passage. Verse 5 demonstrates how God is full of wisdom that He may give it generously. Verse 12 points out that He is faithful in keeping His promises and that He is a life-giver. The following line in verse 13 illustrates His holiness as He cannot be tempted with evil just like how He tempts no one. In verse 17, the gifts He gives are good and perfect and we also see that He is a Father of lights and is unchanging in character. His sovereignty is implied in the opening words of verse 18 and we see that He is the word, the truth, and also our creator.

Bearing in mind the ideas discussed in the above two paragraphs, we can be encouraged to persevere with patience when met with trials or suffering as our faithful, unchanging God who gives good gifts promises life to those who love Him and who stood the test.

And what an encouragement that is for us when acting in adversity! =)

The Letter of James: An Overview

We started our Bible Studies series on James last night. Instead of our usual approach, we adopted the "manuscript discovery" method. Do I see a big question mark flashing right next to your head? What "manuscript discovery" involves is pretty much getting an entire Bible passage "unadulterated" i.e. without the chapter numbers, without the verse numbers, without the title headings - in other words, the way the Word (or manuscript) is before anyone broke it down into chapters and verses. The "discovery" bit came in when we hunted for repeated words/phrases/ideas and attempted to break down the whole chunk into sections and give them relevant headings based on the concepts we understood from the passage.

So, what were some of the key ideas our group came up with as we did a quick overview of James using "manuscript discovery"?

1. Steadfastness and patience
   
2. Hearing the Word and being doers of the Word
3. Faith and works
4. Taming the tongue
5. Humility and submission
6. Judgment and partiality
7. Prayer

Next week onwards for 7 consecutive weeks, we'll be looking at James section by section. So if you're not already joining us, how about giving it a go as we share the joys of reading God's Word together? International Bible Fellowship (IBF) meets every Friday, 7PM, at Level 2 Squarehouse, UNSW - all are invited! Hope to see you there! ^_^