James the half-brother of the Lord Jesus
Chapter 1
B1 Temptation/testing
C1 The Greek word is πειρασμός peirasmós. It means trials, temptations, etc. The word has the idea of testing a drug to see if it works as intended, thus, the various applications. Vocabulary Of The Greek Testament (Moulton & Milligan 1929) states: “trials” made of drugs to see their effect in certain diseases.
C2 The idea can be taken either way. A temptation is a trial, or a trial can be a temptation.
C3 We can be joyous mainly in the sense of producing endurance strengthening our spiritual muscles. Endurance has the idea of constancy, loyalty, etc. Romans 5:3-5 EMTV And not only that, but we also rejoice in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces endurance; and endurance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
C4 When we are tested, in trials, being tempt, remember
D1 Pray even if we do not want to
D2 Share our burden with brothers and sisters. We need to help each other. We are in the Christian life together.
D3 Read the Psalms. Some speak to this issue. For example:
Psalms 13:1-6 GNB92 How much longer will you forget me, LORD? Forever? How much longer will you hide yourself from me? How long must I endure trouble? How long will sorrow fill my heart day and night? How long will my enemies triumph over me? Look at me, O LORD my God, and answer me. Restore my strength; don't let me die. Don't let my enemies say, “We have defeated him.” Don't let them gloat over my downfall. I rely on your constant love; I will be glad, because you will rescue me. I will sing to you, O LORD, because you have been good to me.
D4 Ask for wisdom (James 1:5-8)
B2 Both rich and poor suffer alike. Let us be humble.
B3 If we endure (with God’s assisting grace), then at the Bema Seat we will receive a crown of life.
C1 2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV2011 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
C2 The words judgment seat are the Greek word βῆμα bēma. The is a seat/throne on a raised platform for the official to judge.
C3 The Bema seat judgment occurs shortly after the Rapture.
B4 We cannot blame God for our temptation.
C1 The devil asked for permission to persecute Job. God gave him permission. The devil, however, did NOT have to do so.
C2 Jesus was tempted also.
C3 Regardless of what we face, God teaches us and strengthens us.
B5 James 1:22-25 ESV2011 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
C1 We learn what we say and what we do must match.
C2 We learn what we do must be consistent in public and private.
C3 We learn that the perfect law, that is, the law of liberty is now our law, not Mosaic Law, nor the law of our sinful nature.
D1 If the Law of Liberty refers to the Gospel, then when we believe we are free from the requirements of Mosaic Law and its punishment, for Jesus suffered and shed His blood for our sins.
D2 The Law of Liberty might refer to the rules Jesus gave us to obey either directly or through His Apostles and recorded in the New Testament.
Chapter 2 deals with
B1 Treating everyone equally, especially believers. We know
C1 There is only one race—the human race.
C2 There are priorities. God is to have first priority, then spouse, then family, the local congregation, then the greater body of Christians, then everyone else.
C3 We should love and live in God’s ways. This is seen in our thoughts, desires, words, and deeds according to the characteristics in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.
C4 God treats people equally, too according to His priorities: 1 Timothy 2:4 NIV who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
C5 Galatians 6:10 NIV Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
B2 In verses 14-17, it is taught that what we say and what we do must match in private and public.
B3 Works are not for salvation but are proof of a changed life by God’s grace. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! Some examples are the Abraham, Rahab, Prodigal Son, and King Manasseh.
Chapter 3 deals with
B1 If we teach the Scriptures, we are held accountable for what we teach.
B2 Rules of what we say.
B3 The 2 types of wisdom. The difference between God’s wisdom and any other.
Chapter 4 deals with
B1 The dangers of covetousness (lust). How covetousness leads to problems, arguments, fighting, scabbing, and a lot of disunity.
B2 There are only two worldviews, namely, God’s worldview and all others. We are servants of God and only His view is correct. The world is all other views. The foundation of that worldview is me first, God last.
Chapter 5 deals with
B1 The danger of riches, that is, trusting in money instead of God. Our love changes from God to stuff.
B2 Christians suffer. We must bear with this as the whole family of God does in every generation and in every part of the world. We need to pray and support each other.
B3 The need to pray. We are talking to God. We were created for fellowship with God and to serve Him forever. The Psalms show a wide variety of prayers. God is a wonderful Counselor/Adviser.
Trials make
the promise sweet,
Trials give
new life to prayer;
Trials bring me
to His feet,
Lay me low,
and keep me there
—William Cowper
