The Book of James

I recently read the book of James (Holman Christian Standard Bible) and was reminded of some very powerful truths in the Christian life.  This is such a great book in the New Testament.  So many verses just jumped off the page as I was reading.  It’s a very easy book to read and very practical.  I’m challenging myself to blog a bible study on each chapter in the book of James.  I’ll touch on some things that God highlighted to me as I was reading.  I hope this blesses you as it did me.

Many scholars believe that Jesus’ brother, James, is the author of this book although there are some who believe that James the apostle authored this book.  Regardless, this book doesn’t appear to be written to a specific early church but a group of Christians dispersed throughout the Greek world.  The underlying message is FAITH in ACTION!

James 1:  5-8 “Now if any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to ALL generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.  But let him ask in FAITH without doubting.  For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind.  That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.  An indecisive man is unstable in all his ways.”  (emphasis is mine) 

It stings a little to be called unstable.  But don’t we often approach God with a lack of stability in our thoughts and expectations?!?  I have this “mountain” that I’m trying to deal with.  It sure would be nice to get some help.  I know, I’ll throw a prayer up and see if it will stick.  With any luck maybe God will answer this time (that is if He’s not too busy solving the more important problems like world hunger).   There is no faith in that!  Read these verses again!  Do you lack wisdom in how to handle something?  A decision you have to make?  Do you need victory over a sin issue?  If you ask in FAITH, He will give wisdom to ALL and will give it generously.  I’m not making this up.  It is right there in the bible.  This is a promise, not a nice phrase about a distant God that applies to the “in so tight with God” Christians.  So what does praying with faith look like?  To me, it’s expecting to hear from God.  I’m conversing with my father, my friend, my savior.  Of course He is going to answer my cry for wisdom.  The book of John tells us that He no longer calls us servants, but friends.  Friends know each other’s business.  God wants me to know His business, thus wants to impart His wisdom in me.  Amen?  Amen.

James 1:  13-15 “No one undergoing a trial should say, ‘I am being tempted by God.’  For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone.  But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires.  Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.” 

We’ve all heard that phrase “God doesn’t give you anything that you can’t handle.”  I think sometimes we use this phrase to treat God as a scapegoat.  When life gets a bit sour, it’s easy to let our circumstances dictate our view of God.  That’s why we have to be grounded in God’s word (God is full of love, compassion, mercy…in Him there is no darkness).  When life gets full of funk, it can feel like God is leading us down a slippery slope to test us.  God does not dangle an oreo in front of us and then ask us if we have the will power to eat the carrot instead.  I just know this is the evil that is being referenced in this verse.  When we’re grounded in God’s word, we reject the lies that God is to blame for all of the crud around me.  We reject the mentality that if He doesn’t kill me, He’ll at least make me stronger.  So when we’re living in our death bed of sin, there is solution!  Repent, receive the forgiveness and let God transform your heart.  Ah, a renewed mind is so wonderful.  Thank you first chapter of James.  I’ll try to be back soon to discuss a few tid bits from the second chapter.