James

This is a very practical letter. Its main message is about daily behaviour. It is among the first books of the New Testament. The author could be the brother of our Lord Jesus. (Read Matthew 13:55; Acts 12:17; 15:13; 1 Corinthians 15:7; Galatians 1:19; 2:9.) This would explain certain things. James often refers to Christ's teaching, saying things that remind us about Christ's words. Some examples are:

• 1:4 (Matthew 5:48); 1:5,17 (Matthew 7:11); 1:5;4:2 (Matthew 7:7-8)
• 1:6 (Matthew 21:22); 1:22-25; 4:17 (Matthew 7:21-27); 2:5 (Luke 6:20-23)
• 2:8 (Mark 12:31); 2:10 (Matthew 5:19); 2:13 (Matthew 5:7; 18:32-35)

Read also James 3:12; 4:4, 6, 10, 11-12,13-17; 5:2-3, 7-9, 12.

There was a Christian leader in the 17th century. His name was Thomas Manton. He lived at a time of persecution. And he described this book very well. Here are some things that he said: The book of James is full of excellent instructions’. It shows us how to:

• deal with troubles
• hear the word
• refuse evil relationships
• control speech
• have a right understanding of God's nature
• match behaviour with words.

We will look at 10 practical subjects. They are:

Troubles (Chapter 1:1-18)

Believers must not complain when troubles come. The hard times can produce good things. They can produce spiritual qualities. And these qualities could not develop if life was always easy. The hard times can do several things.

They can help to make us mature people (1:4). We would trust God for wisdom. Then our reaction to troubles would be good (1:5). We would be grateful for the values and the blessings of the spiritual life (1:9-11). Our troubles would make us appreciate the future reward too. God promises to keep it for all who love him (1:12). Our Father does not change. And his good gifts will encourage us (1:13-18).

Obedience [when someone obeys] (Chapter 1:19-27)

Sometimes people's words can hurt (1:19-21). But God's word always brings benefits. And it does this in a way that nothing else could. Like a mirror, it shows us our need (1:23-24). But it demands a reaction from us too (1:22). We must not just hear God's word, we must practise it (1:22-23). If we obey its teaching, certain things will happen. We will control our speech (1:26). And we will care about people who are in need. Then our characters will become holy (1:27).

Love (Chapter 2:1-13)

James cared about poor people. And this is like Jesus. A person's social group should not matter in the church. There must be no unfair advantages because of social groups (2:1-4). People who have no money might be rich in faith. And we might need their spiritual wealth. They can help us to become mature believers in Christ. Today, we can know about people who live all over the world. This passage speaks about the world's hungry people. And we need to be aware of their desperate need. They are our neighbours (2:8).

Actions (Chapter 2:14-26)

God commands us to love other people. However, we may not even hear his command. We might think good thoughts. They could be thoughts of pity and sympathy, but we do nothing. W5:9ords are not enough. God demands actions too (2:15, 16). True faith always shows itself. It shows itself in regular good works.

There are ceremonies like circumcision (Galatians 5:2-6). But they will not obtain salvation for anybody. Neither will good works. Paul makes this clear. Both Paul and James make something else clear. They are sure about its necessity. Good works must express our new life. Abraham was a good man (2:21). Rahab was a sinner (2:25). But they both acted because of what God had said. (Read Joshua 2:8-11, 18, 21; 6:17; Hebrews 11:31.)

Talk (Chapter 3:1-12)

James says much about good speech and bad speech. (Read 1:26; 2:3, 16; 3:1-12; 4:13,15; 5:9,12.) The tongue has great possibilities for good or evil. It astonishes us to realize this. James describes the tongue. And he uses some word pictures. There is the ‘bit’ in a horse's mouth. We use it to make the horse obey us (3:3). There is a big ship. Strong winds can push it. But a very small thing (the ‘rudder’) controls its direction (3:4). Then there is a tiny flame. It can start a big forest fire (3:5b).

With the tongue, we can praise God (3:9). But that same tongue can destroy relationships too.

Relationships (Chapters 3:13−4:12)

God promises to give wisdom (1:5-8). And Christians need that wisdom. Then we will know the best way to act. It will be like this whatever our circumstances (3:13-17). Wisdom is the most important thing that there is in life. It is much better than a great education. God's wisdom will not make us proud. It will make us holy. His wisdom will not make us superior. It will make us humble.

There were many problems in the church (or churches) to which James wrote. These problems were damaging relationships. The problems were when people:

• were evil (1:21)
• did not obey (1:22-25)
• had favourites (2:1-13)
• did not notice other people's needs (2:14-17)
• used conversation that damaged other people (3:2-12)
• were jealous (3:14)
• were quarrelling constantly (4:1-2)
• did not pray properly (4:2-3)
• chose to have the same attitudes as people who were not believers. (4:4)
• were proud (4:5-10)
• spoke against each other (4:11-12).

It is a terrible list of human failure. All these things destroy. They destroy any unity between believers. Believers could not feel part of the same Christian community.

Humility (Chapter 4:13-17)

Some of the people who read James’ letter were proud. They were acting as if they controlled their own lives. But they did not realize what human life is like. It is like an early morning mist (4:14). It is like a flower that soon dies in the hot sun (1:10-11; 1 Peter 1:24). It is like the quick movement of the tool that makes cloth (Job 7:6). Life is like a fast runner (Job 9:25). It is only as wide as a hand is (Psalm 39:5). Or, life is like smoke that comes from a fire and soon blows away (Psalm 102:3).

All this should make the believer humble. God is in control. So the believer should always choose what God wants for his life. He should not be proud about what he has done. Neither should he be proud about his ambitions. There are opportunities every day. The believer should not just think about good things, he should do them (4:17).

Money (Chapter 5:1-6)

James returns to the subject of ‘the rich and the poor’. Some rich people had collected great wealth (5:1-3). But this was because they did not pay their poor employees (5:4). The passage reminds us about the prophets who lived in the 8th century. There was Isaiah. (Read Isaiah 1:21-23; 3:13-26.) There was Amos. (Read Amos 2:6-7; 3:15; 4:1; 5:12; 6:4-6.) Then there was Micah. (Read Micah 6:8-15.)

The prophets were angry. There were citizens who were greedy for money. But people who owned land were cruel to poor people. The prophets told everybody about their evil behaviour. Notice what James said. The rich rob the poor. The poor can only pray. And God hears their prayers. But we must answer their prayers too.

In our time, there are millions of hungry people. Wherever they are in the world, they are our neighbours (2:8). And we must not waste money. We must pray for them and we must help them. We must be generous to people who need our help.

Patience (Chapter 5:7-13)

God's servants need something. And they need it in all the different circumstances of life. They need to develop the qualities of patience. A farmer waits with patience for his crops to grow (5:7). The prophets suffered many bad things, but they were patient’ (5:10). Then there was Job, who accepted his troubles with patience (5:11).

When they suffer, God's servants should learn these things. We should remember God's past goodness. (He helped Job and he helped the prophets.) We should remember God's present mercy and kindness (5:11). And we should remember God's promise for the future (5:7-9). ‘The Lord Jesus is coming soon’ (5:8). God always does what he has promised. And we must do the same.

Prayer (10. Chapter 5:13-20)

James referred to Job. This was a natural link with the problem of suffering (5:13). James referred to the prophets. And this makes us think about Elijah (5:17-18). But prayer is not just for times of trouble. It is just as important when life is good (5:13).

People should pray together (5:14). But they must depend on God for the answer (5:15). Prayer is powerful (5:16). And James gives us the example of Elijah (5:17). We remember Elijah because of the power of his prayer. (Read 1 Kings 18:41-46.) But Elijah had to pray seven times before the rain came.

People are sick in a spiritual way as well as in a physical way (5:19-20). They, too, need our help. (Read 1 Peter 4:8; Proverbs 10:12.)