What can we learn from the book of James?
James 1:1 - 27
ESV - 1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.
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Asked June 04 2017
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Robert Chiappardi
Supporter
Community answers are sorted based on votes. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is.
Tim Maas
Supporter
To me, the main theme or purpose of the book of James is discussion of the practical hallmarks that characterize true Christianity, in contrast to beliefs or behaviors that are not indicative of saving faith. This theme is summarized in James 1:22 ("But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.").
Specifically:
True religion endures trials and temptations (James 1:2-18)
-- with joy and patience (James 1:2-4)
-- with wisdom from God (James 1:5-8)
-- with a proper perspective (James 1:9-11)
-- with an understanding of temptation (James 1:12-15)
-- with an awareness of the Father's goodness (James 1:16-18)
True religion consists of doing, not just hearing (James 1:19-2:26)
-- One should be swift to hear (James 1:19-20)
-- One should not be a hearer only, but a doer (James 1:21-27)
-- One should not show personal favoritism (James 2:1-13)
-- One should show their faith by their works (James 2:14-26)
True religion displays wisdom, not just speaking (James 3:1-18)
-- Danger of the tongue (James 3:1-12)
-- Difference between heavenly and earthly wisdom (James 3:13-18)
True religion befriends God through humility (James 4:1-17)
-- How to be an enemy of God (James 4:1-6)
-- How to draw near to God (James 4:7-17)
True religion is blessed through patience, prayer, and love (James 5:1-20)
-- The curse of rich oppressors (James 5:1-6)
-- The blessing of patience (James 5:7-12)
-- The blessing of prayer (James 5:13-18)
-- The blessing of love for the erring (James 5:19-20)
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
Great question, Robert! Douglas J. Moo said, "James' most controversial theological contribution is his teaching about the relationship of faith, works, and justification in James 2. He stresses that right belief must be followed by right action (James 2:17, 20, 26). He is worried about people who were confining faith to a verbal profession (James 2:19) or to empty, insincere good wishes (James 2:15-16). This faith is dead (James 2:17, 26) and barren (James 2:20) and will be of no avail the day of judgment (James 2:14)." This was me before I became a Christian. I went to church mainly because my parents took me. But this did not mean I had a right belief. I often said, "Good luck" to people but then did nothing to help them. After I got saved, I wanted to do something to help people. Two things I did was first, I memorized James through BMA (Bible Memory Association) at Scottsdale Bible Church in Scottsdale, Arizona. And then I taught the Book of James at New Tribes Bible Institute--now Ethnos360 Bible Institute (Founded in 1955 as New Tribes Bible Institute). This was at my Grandma Mor Mor's suggestion. Following up on the verse above, James 2:17, "Only the kind of faith that produces good works can save (James 2:17). While we are saved by faith alone, nevertheless, the faith that saves is not alone. It is always accompanied by good works. We are not saved by works (Eph. 2:8-9), but we are saved for works (Eph. 2:10)." --defendinginerrancy
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