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.  †

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