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.  †

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