Bible Book of James Part 2

Theme Scripture: --James 4:17 “Therefore, if one knows how to do what is right and yet does not do it, it is a sin for him.”

Theme Scripture Chapter One: “Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 10 but the rich in his humiliation,... ” – James 1:9, 10a

To the body of Chapter One: 

We pick up our former conversation in verses 9 thru 11. What do you think the point is by just reading the text?

The Perspective of Rich and Poor

9 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. 11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.

©lightwritingmatters 2015

Ponder for a moment this photo with the text above in mind. Do you see a poor man or a rich man? 

James refers to the poor man as a lowly ‘brother’ and it is assumed the rich person is also a ‘brother’ as there is a comparison between the two. So, brother. Spiritual, fleshly, humanity? There seems to be no indication it is other than a ‘spiritual’ brother in that the opening verse says it is ‘to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad’. So, is it only the Jewish brothers or does it include the gentile believers as well?  In verse 2 he opens with ‘my brethren’. The same word –  in context in vs 16 and 19 –  indicates the readers of the letter would be the believer, which in GOD’s eyes is without ethnic preferences. 

What is meant by the last sentence? Let’s look at and see what we learn.“For there is no partiality with God.-- Romans 2:11 If we look at the Greek word used in this instance “prosōpolēmpsia” [G4382] and drill down as far as you can you find the first part of the word “prosōpo” means ‘face’ and the second part “lēmpsia” means person. The concept is that GOD does not look at the appearance of the person but looks where mankind cannot, into the ‘being’ of heart, mind, spirit and other factors of the person. In other words, GOD could care less what you have amassed in life so much as how what you have received has been used and whether your attitude towards it is one of humility or arrogance. Culture tends to consider those lost or of ‘lowly’ position in any other way as a demerit not a merit. Yet GOD looks at the merit of the actual person! As we consider the statement James made, we should actually look at the photo and simply say we do not know if the person is poor or rich regarding his spirit. And Jesus actually emphasizes this point in the first Beatitude: ““Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matt 5:3 Spirit in this context according to Strongs #G4151 reads as “the vital principle by which the body is animated”. You can conclude as your knowledge or discernment or spirit guides you but at the very least someone poor in spirit might be anyone of us when we are facing trauma, trial, or any number of life’s tests. But someone could be in a perpetual or prolonged time of poor spirit. Yet, they inherit the kingdom of heaven! 

Now for the deeper dive. What is this poor in spirit? In essence, it is the ability to see we are sinners and without Christ we truly are poor as we have a bleak or deadly/dark future. With faith in Jesus, no matter our circumstances, we have the promise of inheriting the kingdom of heaven, thus we are exalted even though poor in spirit. 

Bringing it back to James’ counsel….the lowly believer is exalted in his state because of the gift of everlasting life through Jesus and life in the Kingdom of the Heavens whereas the rich brother if his attitude is based only on what he considers his riches, his standing in society, his bank accounts or possessions, he will find that in the end, like a beautiful flower exposed to harsh sunlight he will be humiliated wither and die. If this brother has all the physical things, but like Paul, considers them rubbish because of his love of GOD, and uses his wealth to support the work Jesus gave us to complete before HE arrives then his reward will be based on what he has stored in heaven not on earth. He will not be humiliated because he has a ‘lowly’ attitude despite his physical or material wealth. 

Lastly, on this topic, it comes down to the counsel James gave. We may not be poor or rich in the world’s sense, or in the outward appearance – but we would do well to emulate Jesus by not looking at the outward appearance of anyone including ourselves. We honor our GOD by our own GODLY humility in each personal encounter. But especially those who are related to us by faith in Jesus as our Redeemer, Savior, and High Priest. 

To further emphasize the point…looking at the photo with the right attitude, if the person is not personally known to us we would rightly discern by outward appearances, according to culture, he appears lowly. But more rightly we would say we have no idea if he is lowly or poor in spirit. If we meet such a person, no assumptions made, we can always share the Love of Jesus and the hope for the majestic life described in GOD’s Holy Bible for those who have salvation with the future of eternity in Jesus presence. 

Please return June 28th 2023 for part 3   

Questions? lightwritingmatters@gmail.com

NOTICE: If you are feeling inclined or feeling led to want Jesus as your Savior, your leader, your King, your source of Peace and Joy but are feeling woefully inadequate, uninformed on how best to get to know HIM, or find yourself at wit’s end because you believe yourself trapped and in need of GOD, please know Jesus stands ready to welcome you with HIS Holy Spirit. Believe these words: “16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “—John 3:16

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” – Acts 3:19-20

“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:3-8

If you need help, please feel free to leave a comment and I will respond.  †

DISCLAIMER: The thoughts published on this blog, in total, are the opinions, thoughts and considerations of the writer/author of every post. Images are sourced from various places, mostly from travels done by the author and therefore the sole property of the author. 

Bible Book of James Part One

 

©lightwritingmatters 2015

Theme Scripture: --James 4:17 “Therefore, if one knows how to do what is right and yet does not do it, it is a sin for him.”

Theme Scripture Chapter One: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” – Heb 11:1

Supporting these verses: “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Let’s talk about the ‘theme scripture’ for just a minute then we will move on to the obvious lessons of chapter one.

The theme scripture is an interesting summary of the context of all of James. He is frank in his writings and may leave you looking at the consequences of each lesson. For instance, the topic of ‘faith’ is introduced in verse 3 and is intertwined with patience. The discussion proffers the idea -- or ‘a for instance’ you may desire ‘wisdom’.  Then you should make that request of GOD and it will be given. Yet, he cautions in verses 6-8 – the first ‘consequence to NOT doing something you should’ – in this case, asking in faith but perhaps ‘doubting’ it would be answered. The consequence: “7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.’ 

Who of us has not had doubt that what we are asking is okay or what we have asked will be approved/answered by GOD or if we have received the right answer to the prayer?

It has taken a very long time for me [the author]to just ‘trust’ in GOD to answer a prayer request.

Now I include the affirmative statement when I am requesting something extremely important or serious to me of acknowledging/admitting "I am TRUSTING in GOD my prayer will be answered". It has been my experience thus far HE HAS IN FACT answered me. 

I am ashamed to admit it, but I have considered myself a Christian since 1971 but not yet born again until 1998 and only recently began to fathom my need to really stop trying to solve my prayer requests with questions, or solutions GOD could choose from. In other words, not being direct in my prayer and not just trusting it will be answered. And yes, being patient while it is being answered. In 1999 I was blessed with so much faith and intimacy with Jesus but somewhere I lost my first love of Christ. It was the long trek to discovering truth about doctrine learned in my early or formative years of the Christian walk that smashed head on into my Born Again Christian foundational understanding of doctrine. To be quite honest, it was only after I made a direct and sole prayer to my Father in heaven and during that prayer – seriously 25 years after the conflict began internally –  to just ‘trust’ that HE would answer if I asked. And HE DID. Left no room for doubt. I understand the premise and participate in honoring GOD in believing but I do not understand the reality of it. I fall back on Isaiah 55:8,9: ““For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. 9“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” This is a completely acceptable and understandable reality for me. I have understood this for the entire 52 years living as Christian but only recently became my final resting place with the answer I received from GOD on the subject I was conflicted with for the last 25 years. Thus, faith–is my assured expectation and hope for KNOWING while the evidence of my conflict past is not seen by my ‘eyes’ but the answer I received is further assured because ‘...all promises of GOD in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.’ We must worship in Spirit and Truth [John 4:23] and I needed GOD’s affirmation the subject of my conflict was in fact in ‘Spirit and Truth’. Got it 100%

Who IS James, the author of this Book of the Holy Bible?

In doing research for the answer to the question about the author, I have found a single consensus: No one can say for certain which James in the Bible is the author, or, if it was James at all. There are a number of opinions out there about the author of this book. One that is quite accepted – among those who have spared no effort in becoming intimate with the Bible – the author is the flesh and blood brother of Jesus. Some of the body of evidence is the timing of when the book, or letter, was written which basically eliminates the notable candidates with the same name persons who were known to be close to Jesus. The time this letter was written is also believed to be just before this brother of Jesus was himself killed for his faith. However, we see the humility in James that he was not a name dropper. He humbly refers to himself: → ‘James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.’ I will not bore you with the myriad of other suggestions but a simple search on the author of the book of James will take you down a few interesting rabbit holes. I have settled upon the opinion which has become a traditional concurrence; the brother of Jesus. 

As always, please do your own research. Remember Paul’s behest to the Thessalonian Christians of his day: “Make sure of all things; hold fast to what is fine.” 1Thess 5:21

Part Two will be posted by Wednesday, June 14, 2023 Lord Willing.

Questions? lightwritingmatters@gmail.com

NOTICE: If you are feeling inclined or feeling led to want Jesus as your Savior, your leader, your King, your source of Peace and Joy but are feeling woefully inadequate, uninformed on how best to get to know HIM, or find yourself at wit’s end because you believe yourself trapped and in need of GOD, please know Jesus stands ready to welcome you with HIS Holy Spirit. Believe these words: “16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “—John 3:16

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” – Acts 3:19-20

“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:3-8

If you need help, please feel free to leave a comment and I will respond.  †

DISCLAIMER: The thoughts published on this blog, in total, are the opinions, thoughts and considerations of the writer/author of every post. Images are sourced from various places, mostly from travels done by the author and therefore the sole property of the author.