Posts Tagged ‘James’
A Living Faith Evidenced in Perseverance through Persecution (James 5:7-11) – Part 2
Click here to read part 1. James 5:7 clearly relates back to the previous section (“therefore”). Based on the reality of the situation described in James 5:1–6, James commands patience or perseverance. What are you to do if you find yourself in a helpless situation? Resistance is futile according to James 5:6. James returns to…
Read MoreA Living Faith Evidenced in Perseverance through Persecution (James 5:1-6) – Part 1
In James 4:1–12, James began addressing the last example of being a doer of the Word—keeping oneself unspotted from the world. He continues that theme of worldliness since worldliness is living without reference to God. And each of the following subsections can best be understood as living without reference to God. Arrogantly living without reference…
Read MoreA Living Faith Evidenced in God-Dependence (James 4:13-17)
We have been outlining the book of James in relation to one key command found in James 1:22—be a doer of the Word, demonstrating a living faith. This command is then applied to several examples based on James 1:26–27. In James 4:1–12, James began addressing the last example of being a doer of the Word:…
Read MoreA Living Faith Evidenced in Godly Affections: Part 4 (James 4:1-12)
Click here for previous posts on James 4: part 1, part 2, and part 3. James has addressed the manifest problem of quarreling and fighting. Then he pinpointed the source of such a problem. Finally, he revealed the solution to that problem incentivized by the Holy Spirit’s conviction. Now the believers need to apply that…
Read MoreA Living Faith Evidenced in Godly Affections: Part 3 (James 4:1-12)
Click here for previous posts on James 4: part 1 and part 2. James has addressed the manifest problem of quarreling and fighting. Then he pinpointed the source of such a problem. Finally, he reveals the solution to that problem. But before the solution, he discusses the need to be convicted of the problem, driving…
Read MoreA 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…
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