Are You Living By God’s Wisdom?
LESSONS FROM THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. Have you seen a yard sign like the one below? Many members of the church here have one in our yard inviting the community to come to this page every Monday for a new article. Scroll down to view all previous articles in this series.
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Monday, April 22, 2024
Article #15: Showing Our Faith
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James states a two part principle defining how a person will know if another person has faith. He basically says faith can only be shown by the works that are done. Abraham sacrificing his son is given as an example (James 2:18-24).
James instructs his readers that “faith, if it has no works, is dead.” He makes the point that a person must demonstrate their faith by their actions. So, in this opening sentence of this new paragraph, he says, “show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
It is easy for one to say they have faith in God, but the real proof is seen in their actions. The demons talk about having faith in God, but they do not do what is necessary to show their faith. Their lack of action relating to their faith, drives James to conclude, “Faith without works is useless.”
James uses Abraham as one who demonstrated their faith by their actions. Abraham offering up his son Isaac on the altar (cf. Genesis 22) is a great example of a faith that is “perfected;” thereby bringing Abraham’s faith to completeness.
Abraham demonstrated to God the degree of “faith” he had in God. While God did not need to command Abraham to offer his son to know the degree of faith Abraham had in God, this action demonstrated to everyone on this earth the faith of Abraham. This example, as used by James, helps us to see the degree one must go sometimes to “show their faith.”
While this example is very extreme, Christians today need to see the extent they may have to go in order to “show their faith.” They may be placed in some very challenging situation where their faith must be shown.
James records a comment made by God after He saw what Abraham had done. Quoting Scripture, James says “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to Him as righteousness.” Then James comments, “You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.” By having these statements we can see that one is righteous based upon their faith and one is justified based upon their works. The conclusion we must reach is that we are both made righteous and are justified when our faith is seen by our works.
Becoming a Christian is more than just putting one’s faith in Christ; it must be shown. The Christian life is more than just putting one’s faith in Christ; it must be visible to others. God will reward the Christian just like He did Abraham, based upon us showing our faith by living God’s way!
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Monday, April 15, 2024
Article #14: A Faith That Works Saves
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After talking about the royal law, James is instructing the brethren about their faith. He tells them that the only way their faith will save them is if their faith is producing action, otherwise their “faith” is dead (James 2:14-17).
Beginning his discussion, James asks, “What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works?” This question introduces the topic as well as getting the brethren to think about their faith. The conclusion James will reach is if a faith is not producing action, then it is a dead faith; it will not save anyone.
Illustrating his point, James says having a faith that is not producing any works is like telling a fellow believer who “is without clothing and in need of daily food” to “go in peace,” but you do not provide clothing and food. It is like telling your “brother or sister” in Christ, a fellow Christian, to “be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them what is “necessary for their body.”
The faith a Christian is to have is one that is productive. It is a faith that motivates a person to do what they have been taught. This would include how to become a Christian as well as living the Christian life.
Considering the word faith, one of its major components is the idea of trust. If someone has faith in something or someone, then they are willing to put their trust in what that something will do or what that someone will say. They will use the “something.” They will act upon what “someone” has said. True faith produces action.
The same is true with us today. If we really have faith in God and His word, then we are going to do the things He says in His word. We are going to put it into action.
Consulting a standard dictionary, one finds that the word “faith” is a noun; it is not a verb. In this circumstance “faith” is something we possess. It is obtained by hearing God’s message and deciding to put our trust in this message. (Romans 10:17).
After making the decision to put our “faith” in the message of God, then we are going to do our best to follow the instructions and commands contained in God’s message. There will be nothing in our thoughts and attitude that says, “I don’t have to do that!”
When a Christian has the faith James is talking about, it will be a faith that is demonstrated by their actions. Everyone who observes the life and actions of this Christian will have no doubt they are living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Monday, April 8, 2024
Article #13: Practicing the Royal Law
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Quoting from Scripture, James defines the “royal law” as “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” How important is practicing the royal law? Very important! James says not practicing the royal law is a sin just like committing adultery and murder (James 2:8-13).
James says when we practice the “royal law” we are “doing well.” However, if we exhibit favoritism when it comes to practicing this law of God, James says we are “committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.”
To magnify this concept, James says, “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.” In our minds, this may come across as being very harsh. How could committing this one sin make us equal with an adulterer or a murderer? We think they are “horrible” people. We might think, “Surely, God would not think I am that horrible if I do not practice the royal law.”
The point James is making is that “one sin” makes us a “transgressor.” To God, it does not matter what the sin is. By committing any sin, just one sin, we have gone outside the bounds of God law; we are separated from God. The result is the same as if we had broken every commandment of God.
To correct this status with God, James says Christians must “so speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.” This is the same “law of liberty” James spoke of earlier when talking about looking at ourselves in a mirror and James saying we must not be “forgetful hearer[s] but effectual doers” of the word.
James reminds the Christian a judgment day is coming. He says those who are “merciless” to their neighbors in this life, will be “shown no mercy.” If the Christian wants God to show him mercy at the judgment day, then today while living on this earth, they must love their neighbor.
James says just like we love ourselves, we must in the same manner love our neighbors. The vast majority of people “love” themselves extremely. They will do whatever is necessary for themselves regardless of what they must go through. This same type of behavior must be exhibited by Christians to both their fellow Christians and their unbelieving neighbors.
When it comes to loving our neighbor, it should be done without “personal favoritism.” The Christian should have no regard for the social status of their neighbor, their profession, or their economic status. The Christian is to love their neighbor regardless of the circumstances. In doing this they will be practicing the royal law and living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Monday, April 1, 2024
Article #12: No Distinctions Based Upon Clothing
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The clothes we wear speak volumes. They may point to an organization to which we belong, the type of work we do, or our bank balance. When it comes to the worship service, James says there should be no distinction based upon clothing (James 2:1-4).
James is giving a warning about our “attitude of personal favoritism” because of the clothes a fellow Christian wears to church. This type of judging with partiality demonstrates an unfair preferential treatment of the “poor man.”
Many people use this passage to justify allowing others to wear whatever clothing they choose to a worship service. However, that is not the point James is making with this instruction. James is teaching there should be no distinction in awarding seats of honor in the worship service based upon a person’s wealth.
James explains to the “brethren” that their judgment of a person should not be based upon the price of their clothes. The Christian is to disregard the “gold ring and … fine clothes” as well as the “dirty clothes” when they are deciding the person to sit at a place of honor.
Making a spiritual decision based upon a person’s clothes is not a “fair judgment.” A person’s wealth (or their job) is not to be considered when evaluating the honor they are to have among brethren.
Likewise, this does not give a person the license to wear just anything when they come to worship. They must remember they have come to worship God. They must remember that God will execute righteous judgment upon them when it comes to the attire they wear when they come to worship Him.
People make judgments every day based upon someone’s clothing. A person decides on the appropriateness of the outfit to the occasion. However, when it comes to deciding the honor one will have at a church service, the monetary value of one’s clothing should not be considered, but rather the individual’s spiritual character.
While a person might not be able to afford a “gold ring” to wear to church, they need to consider the attire they are wearing to church making sure it conveys the idea that they have come to worship God. If the best they can do is wear “dirty clothes,” then the other members must honor them because they recognize their heart’s intentions.
Making correct judgments about people is something God expects the Christian to do. When greeting people coming into our church services, let us have a “blind eye” to the clothes they are wearing. Let us honor the poor and the rich equally making no distinction between the two. Our impartiality will demonstrate we are living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Monday, March 25, 2024
Article #11: Religion Approved by God
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One of the most horrifying realities is to think our religion is approved by God when it is not. James identifies to Christians the type of religion that is approved by God. He says it is bridling our tongue, providing care for the most destitute of people, and “to keep [ourselves] unstained by the world” (James 1:26, 27).
Wanting to appear religious, if we cannot control our speech then James says our “religion is worthless.” We may think we are practicing godly behavior, but in reality we are deceiving our “own heart.” The horrible part about being deceived is that we do not know we have been deceived.
The term “bridle,” brings to mind the idea “to restrain.” The thought of controlling an animal like a horse with only a small object in its mouth is amazing. The lesson to be learned is our speech, which can be very powerful in both a good and bad way, can be controlled. Our mind must “hold the reins” on our tongue.
As James continues his writing about having a religion approved by God, he uses the word “pure” indicating something is clean, free from corruption or sin; it is not false. He also uses the word “undefiled,” which is a unique way of saying a man’s religion is untainted, uncorrupted. James seems to be using these two words, which are very similar in meaning, to stress the type of religion we are to practice.
By highlighting the “orphans,” James is drawing attention to how a Christians should be willing to take care of some of the most helpless and vulnerable in our society. Children who have no parents, going from family to family, are often lacking in security and self-esteem. Providing for their true necessities, displays a God like compassion.
The woman who has lost her husband is in a similar position. Being married provides a certain level of security. While many will be able to “take care of themselves,” there is also the comfort they miss when their husband is no longer living.
The last thing James mentions is one must keep themselves “unstained by the world.” The Christian cannot let the ungodly behavior practiced by “the world,” influence them. We must be diligent to keep our bodies clean from allowing sin to be part of our daily life.
After informing Christians to have the word implanted and to be doers of the word, James mentions three different aspects of practicing a religion approved by God. We must guard against deceiving ourselves concerning our religion. Exercising self-control over our tongues, helping the helpless and monitoring our own behavior is essential as we are daily living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Monday, March 18, 2024
Article #10: God Blesses Doers
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Society admires and rewards people who are doers; the achievers get the reward. James discusses the need to be more than a “hearer of the word” implanted, they must “prove [themselves] doers of the word” (James 1:22-25).
By using the word “prove,” James is wanting his readers to demonstrate by their actions that they have “the word” implanted in their hearts. The evidence the word is “implanted” is indicated by how a person will daily live their life.
To illustrate this concept, James uses an example of a person looking at themself in a mirror, seeing something that needs to be changed, and walking away making no changes in their life. They have no resolve to make changes. They were not looking “intently at the perfect law,” with the attitude that they will “abide by it.”
By using the word “intently,” James is expressing the idea of giving eager attention to the word of God. The idea is more than just a casual glance at a biblical passage or a look “in passing” of some biblical verse. While a “casual reading” of the Bible has some value, there needs to be time in our life when there is a concentration on the word of God with the goal of first understanding what the text says and then how we can put our reading into practice in our life.
Reading the Bible with no intentions of making application to our life is like walking by a mirror, seeing we have chocolate on our face, and just leaving it there. People may tell us we have chocolate on our face, but we still do not do anything about it. While we might think this is ridiculous and that no one would do such a silly thing, there are countless people who think it is a good idea to read their Bible on a daily basis, but have no plan of putting it into practice in their daily life.
Group studies are a great way to obtain biblical knowledge, but if the objective is to only “know” what the text says, then this passage in James is not being applied. Whether it be a Bible class at church or a study in someone’s home or a gathering at some business in town, if the goal is not to learn something that you can put into practice in your life, then the session is only academic and social in nature.
If a person wants to be blessed by God, then they must not “become a forgetful hearer, but an effectual doer” of the word. God will bless Christians who are effectually doing “the word” because they are daily living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Monday, March 11, 2024
Article #9: Implanting “the Word” Changes Lifestyle
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After making his comments concerning controlling our anger, James makes a proverbial statement about one’s lifestyle displaying the righteousness of God. He states that for someone to save their soul they must put aside one lifestyle and receive with humility the word of God (James 1:21).
James is reminding his “beloved brethren” that a person must be willing to give up (or put away) their lifestyle of “filthiness” and “wickedness” and be willing to submit to “the word” of God and thereby change their lifestyle. This verse serves as a reminder to all Christians that they must continue to put aside evil behavior and to always receive God’s message if they want to be saved.
The “filthiness” James mentions has to do with “moral defilement;” it is making “dirty” the principles of righteous living. The word “wickedness” means having the attitude of doing wrong behavior without displaying any sorrow for such actions. These two words describe a person who has absolutely no regard for the lifestyle God would want them to be living.
The opposite behavior, the one James is promoting, is the one that is receiving God’s message with “humility.” It means the person has an attitude of submitting to this message of God, thus making it their own. They are going to embrace living the lifestyle taught by God.
The reason “the word” will save their souls is because it is “implanted;” it is established or firmly fixed in their mind. God’s lifestyle has become the lifestyle of the Christian; the way they live their everyday life. It is who they are.
The major objective of every person should be to save their soul. This can only be accomplished by living the lifestyle taught in “the word” of God. This message of God will cause them to quit living one lifestyle and motivate them to live another lifestyle. Focusing on God’s instructions and embedding them in one’s mind is essential to changing one’s lifestyle.
A person must exert immense effort to have this “word” lodged in their mind if it is going to be a continuous guide for their lifestyle. One must be determined to change their thinking if they want to change their lifestyle. It is not impossible, but it will require work.
This proverbial statement by James can give us the assurance that our souls can be saved. Humbling ourselves by submitting to God’s word and implanting it in our minds will give us the information and the motivation to change our lifestyle. Putting aside a lifestyle of “filthiness” and “wickedness” and practicing a lifestyle based upon “the word” implanted in our mind will demonstrate we are daily living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Monday, March 4, 2024
Article #8: God’s Wisdom for Controlling Our Anger
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Most people can control their anger, but every now and then we lose control of our temper. James informs us of God’s wisdom when it comes to how we can control our anger (James 1:19, 20).
James says we need to be “quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.” When we are able to do this, he says we will “achieve the righteousness of God.” While these are three simple things we can do to control our anger, they are very hard to practice at times.
Frequently we are doing just the opposite. We are not willing to listen to other people. We want to be fast to say something without really considering all the circumstances. And, as a result we are very prompt to speak whatever comes to our mind, which usually is not the most prudent, kind or compassionate thing to say. So, if Christians want to reach a type of behavior that will be associated with God’s righteousness, then they must do these three things.
The word “quick” has the meaning of being prompt or swift. To be “quick to hear” would indicate that we not only want to hear the audible sound waves going across our eardrum, but also we have the desire to give consideration and seek to understand what we are being told.
The phrase “slow to speak” indicates that one is going to take some time before they are going to utter some sound from their mouth. It would also indicate that a person is delaying in using words to express one’s mind or one’s thought. Often times, this will greatly reduce the anger a person has with a situation, circumstance or a person.
The word “slow” in the phrase “slow to anger” has the same meaning as used in the phrase “slow to speak.” The word “anger” is that strong feeling of displeasure or hostility we may have toward a situation, circumstance or person. So being “slow to anger” would have the idea of not expressing that feeling and over time there would be less and less things causing us to have those feelings of displeasure and hostility.
James says when we are able to do these things we will “achieve the righteousness of God.” This means that we will be reacting to situations, circumstances and people in the way that God would be reacting.
While controlling our anger can at times be very difficult, it nonetheless is something that can be accomplished. It is not impossible. The determining factor will be how strong our desire is to be using God’s wisdom in this aspect of our efforts to be living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Monday, February 26, 2024
Article #7: God’s Goodness is Unchanging
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In an effort to reassure the Christians in his day, as well as our day, James wants his “beloved brethren” to know that the goodness of God does not change. James is warning his readers about being deceived by some who would promote the idea that God will sometimes bring about evil things. He makes his case by using three attributes of God (James 1:16-18).
By using the words of endearment, “my beloved brethren,” James is connecting with them as a fellow believer in Jesus. He wants them to understand and have the confidence that “every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above.” To emphasize his point he says these good gifts and perfect things come “down from the Father of lights.”
James points out that this “Father of lights” does not change by using the two phrases “no variation or shifting shadow.” God is not fickle when it comes to His actions. God is always going to do what is good and especially for His people.
Another proof James uses to point out God’s goodness is how God brought about “His will.” James says this will was brought about by “the word of truth.” He goes on to say that as Christians if we follow this “word of truth,” we will be “a kind of first fruits among His creatures.”
As we consider the unchangeableness of God, it should give us great confidence that He wants to help us in all of our situations in life. We should feel like we can rely upon God in all of our circumstances and especially the more difficult ones. We should have the firm trust that God is going to be there regardless of what happens to us in life.
Regardless of whether we are faced with persecution because we are a Christian or we are tempted by our own lust, followers of Jesus should not be deceived by those who would cause us to doubt God being with us at all times. God is not a “light” that will cause a “shadow,” but rather is a “light” that does not vary. The Christian’s conclusion should be God is unchanging.
In dealing with the various trials of life, Christians should ask for God’s wisdom as to how they should handle them. They should recognize that they sin when they allow their own lusts to go unchecked. However, the most important thing they must conclude is that God gives only good things and not evil things.
Christians who constantly remember that this characteristic of God as being unchangeable will have the assurance, confidence and the feeling of certainty that they can daily be living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Monday, February 19, 2024
Article #6: God Cannot Be Tempted
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James has been writing to Christians about being tested. One type of testing will produce endurance and life, while another type of testing will produce sin and destruction. James wants to make sure Christians know that God does not tempt us to do evil, because God cannot be tempted (James 1:13-15).
It would be a logical conclusion to think that if God tested people to see if we would endure various trials, that He would also tempt us to do evil. James wants to eliminate this thought by making two points, one from the negative and one from the positive side of the issue.
He begins by pointing out that “God cannot be tempted by evil.” God will not violate His own laws and standards. It is part of His character to follow His own code of conduct. Because of this attribute, God “Himself does not tempt anyone.” God practices the Golden Rule.
The cause of our being tempted to do evil is a result of our “own lust.” God is not the source of this temptation, but rather we are the source. Even though God would not want us to sin, He has left it to our own decision.
Our faith is tested when we are “enticed by [our] own lust” to do what is evil. This trial has a malicious intent, namely to lure us away from God in the same manner a fisherman would lure a fish and coax it out of its safe zone.
Using a metaphor of the growth of a child, James describes how lust conceives the thought of violating God’s law, how this lust will continue until it “gives birth to sin” and how this lust, if not brought under control, will destroy a person in death. While this is very graphic, it personalizes the process in a way that we can relate. James wants us to fully understand that our lust is the cause of this type of testing, since God does not tempt anyone to do evil.
As we look at how to apply this passage to our own life, we need to avoid allowing our lust to conceive in the first place. If we control our lust in the beginning, then it will not develop and ultimately destroy us, both in this life and the life after this one.
Christians need to have the fullest of assurance that because God Himself cannot be tempted to do evil, He is not going to tempt us to do evil. Christians must constantly be on guard to not be lured into doing evil, but rather reject the enticement because we want the security that comes from living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Monday, February 12, 2024
Article #5: Receiving the Crown is a Motivation
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An important characteristic of the Christian is the ability to persevere when faced with various trials. As a motivation for holding fast to one’s faith in Christ, God has promised to “those who love Him” a “crown of life” (James 1:12).
Constant attacks on one’s faith can be discouraging. Pressure to give up on the Christian walk could come because of our economic and social status. However, James wants to reassure his readers that if we will endure to the end, we will be rewarded. We will receive the crown of life.
As a result of asking for and receiving God’s wisdom in dealing with various trials, Christians can apply God’s wisdom to help us endure to the end and receive the victor’s wreath. Although the journey may be long, the faithful can arrive at our destination if we will keep our eye on receiving the crown. Written like a proverb, this statement summarizes what has been said and as an introduction to what will be said about the consequences of not overcoming the temptations to do evil.
The lesson to be learned from this verse is for the Christian to receive the “crown of life,” we must not only be willing, but actually must continue in our efforts regardless of the difficulties or oppositions we may face. We must look at it as a continuous, day to day effort and not a one-time achievement.
Generally speaking, we must be motivated by some prize or goal if we are going to remain firm in our belief, determination and adherence to a cause or idea. This is especially true when it comes to the teachings and application of the teachings of Jesus.
Since God made us, He knows what will motivate us to be faithful to Him. He knew that we needed the prize as a motivation.
While some would say, and they would be correct, that we should be faithful to God because we “love Him,” God knows that cannot be the only driving force. God knows Christians need a reason to be roused to action.
The “crown of life” is a figure of speech indicating the Christian will be in heaven with God. In order for this motivation to be effective, this “crown of life” must become real to us. The desire for it will inspire us to be faithful to God the remaining days of our life.
As Christians, we must have the fullest of confidence that God will give us this promised “crown of life.” By constantly putting forth the effort to persevere and maintaining a constant eye on this “crown,” we will be motivated to be daily living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Monday, February 5, 2024
Article #4: Flowers and Riches Fade Away
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Churches are made up of rich and poor people. James says the poor Christian needs to have pride in their “high position.” The rich Christian needs to be humble because his riches, just like the flower, will “fade away.” (James 1:9-11).
Usually we think that a Christian should not have pride in their life, but rather be humble. However, James is telling the poor Christian they need to take pleasure in the recognition that they have a “high position,” because they are a Christian.
On the other hand, James is telling the “rich man to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away.” The accumulation of many possessions will not prevent him from dying nor insure he will live eternally.
Throughout history, and in our modern world, mankind has equated wealth with being pleasing to God. Likewise, poverty has been associated with not pleasing God. James is stating that possessions are only temporary and are not an indication of one’s eternal destiny.
For the Christian who is struggling in life with finances, this would be a great comfort. To know that one’s eternal destiny, one’s existence with God after this life is over, is not dependent upon their wealth would be something in which they could “take great pride.” This would truly be amazing because in this world they do not have this “great pride.”
For the Christian who is not struggling in life with finances, but living in comfort, they need to realize they need to humble themselves. They need to rely upon God for their eternal destiny and not their many possessions. They must constantly remember that riches are only temporary and one day they will all “fade away.”
To drive his point home, James uses flowers and the grass of the field as examples. The beauty of the flower is “destroyed” when “the sun rises with a scorching wind” and the flower will “fall off.” The grass will “wither.”
The application James wants us to make is that we should remember riches, material wealth and possessions, are only temporary; one day they will “fade away.” This parable should remind us that our focus should not be upon obtaining wealth, but rather upon living with God for eternity.
Regardless of our economic status in society, our life should not be consumed with obtaining riches. Our life should be focused on our “high position;” being a Christian.
Christians should always keep their pursuit of wealth in its proper place by remembering it will one day “fade away.” Keeping the pursuit of the eternal “riches” at the forefront will motivate the Christian to be chasing a lifestyle of living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Monday, January 29, 2024
Article #3: Conditions to Receiving Wisdom
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One sure way to navigate the trials of this life is to get the wisdom God provides. Wisdom can come from many places and be attained in many ways. However, God’s wisdom comes based upon conditions (James 1:5-8).
One condition to getting wisdom is to simply ask for it. Ironically, a person must possess a certain amount of wisdom, if they are going to ask for it. They must realize they need help with the various difficult situations in life. They must be willing to reach out for that help, especially from God.
James says a person should be asking God for wisdom. God gives wisdom to “all.” No one is excluded if they will simply ask God.
God gives wisdom “generously.” He readily provides it out of the kindness of His heart. He wants to help people as they deal with the various trials in this present world.
God gives wisdom “without reproach.” God does not feel disappointment when He gives wisdom to those who are asking Him for it. He knows the one asking possesses the character He is seeking in a person who belongs to Him while they are dealing with tough situations.
Another condition to getting wisdom relates to a person’s character. They must have faith God will provide the wisdom they are requesting, along with the expectation that God will give them wisdom. To not have this faith and expectation indicates the person has some “doubts” and James calls that person “a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
To illustrate a person who is doubting, James describes them as “the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.” With this picture in our mind, we can see that a doubting person is constantly thinking, “Will God give me wisdom or will He not?” That person is really not expecting God to give them wisdom. They have all kinds of reasons in their mind as to why God will not grant their request.
Trying to live a godly life in this world, we will encounter many difficult times. Whether social, financial, religious, or meeting challenges related to employment or health, God is willing to give us the necessary wisdom to endure all these situations if we will simply ask, without doubting, expecting that He will give us this wisdom.
Regardless of the circumstances, asking for wisdom from God will always help and be the best advice we will receive for how to handle our trials. God will give us the wisdom we need to manage, in a godly manner, all the issues of life. When the Christian practices this wisdom from God, they will always be living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Monday, January 22, 2024
Article #2: When Faith Is Tested
Click here to listen to an audio version of this article. You can read along with the audio.
The writer of James expresses a truth that is quite hard to comprehend and put into practice. He tells the Christian to “consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials” (James 1:2). The verses following this one give his explanation.
It seems strange that a New Testament writer would say there should be joy when a Christian encounters different trials. However, when we consider what is accomplished by enduring these trials, we will understand why there should be joy.
We should not think that a person needs to feel happy about the difficulties they are facing in life. This is not the meaning of the passage. The meaning is that we should find joy when the trial is over. Also, because of our endurance, our faith is now stronger.
James encourages us to look at the various challenges we are facing because of our faith as something that is beneficial. With each trial we endure, our faith will become more steadfast, more permanent, and more mature.
When, as Christians, we are in the midst of something that challenges our faith, it is very easy to consider giving up; to no longer keep fighting for what we believe. Thoughts enter our mind asking, why am I doing this? Why am I suffering like this for what is taught in the Bible? Why not be like everyone else? Why be different? Is it really worth all this hardship?
James would say, “It is!” He would say that the trial is only temporary, but being in heaven is forever. James encourages us as brethren to focus on getting through the trial, so we can be eternally with Jesus.
James, as the half-brother of Jesus, was once an unbeliever, but over time and after witnessing the miracles Jesus did, the most notable – His resurrection, James became a believer. This may be the driving force behind his exhortation about not giving up. He is focusing on the joy we will have after we have endured the earthly trials and are enjoying the heavenly reward.
Based upon what we know about the physical persecution the early Christians went through, we should be motivated to endure whatever challenges to our faith we may encounter. The present persecutions in our country, whatever they may be, are very minor compared to our brethren’s persecution in the first century.
The joy James is talking about is not excitement and happiness because our faith is challenged, but rather our feelings when the challenge is over. Receiving the reward will truly be a joyous occasion. Entering heaven is the reason why Christians should endure any testing of our faith while we are living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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Monday, January 15, 2024
Article #1: Brother or Bond-Servant
Click here to listen to an audio version of this article. You can read along with the audio.
In the beginning days of the church, when preachers and teachers were not abundant, letters were written, sometimes to a large audience, to encourage Christians to put into practice their faith. The Epistle of James is such a letter.
The author identifies himself as “James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1). The early church fathers identified this James as the half-brother of Jesus. They believed he had the same mother as Jesus, Mary, and his father was Joseph, Mary’s husband.
The author identifies himself as “a bond-servant.” While the general idea is that he is a servant, or slave, there is more to the definition. It carries the idea of someone who volunteers or does not take any pay for their services as a slave. The word is used to describe such men as Paul, Peter and Epaphas.
It is very interesting that James does not identify himself as the brother of Jesus. I believe he is down playing the physical relationship and lifting up the spiritual relationship. He seems to be indicating he wanted his readers to focus on him being a “bond-servant” and not the brother of Jesus.
Contemplating this description, we might asked ourselves, “Would we have highlighted the spiritual over the physical?” Would it have been more important to us to be recognized as a servant of Jesus rather than being recognized as the brother of Jesus?
This bond-servant is writing to a large group of Christians who have been “dispersed abroad.” He is not writing to a church in a given city or region, but rather he is writing a letter that would be read in various gatherings of Christians in numerous places.
The purpose of the book is to encourage the Christian to put into practice the things they have been taught regarding living the Christian life. Filled with short statements, along with illustrations and examples, there are multiple thoughts intended to help the Christian to be living the faith.
Maybe the most important thing we can learn from reading, studying and meditating on this short book of the Bible is that being a Christian involves work. There are things which Christians must do if they want to be counted by God as being faithful to Him. James seems to indicate in his book that if one does not practice the things he has included in this book, their faith is dead.
As Christians we should consider it a high honor to be a “bond-servant of God and [our] Lord Jesus Christ.” We should implement these authoritative teachings from James in our lives because we want to be a bond-servant teaching and living God’s way.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about God’s word. – Carlton G. McPeak
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