Tag Archives: James

April 25, 2024 · 6:00 pm

Wisdom of God

14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.

James 3:14-16

In this passage, James teaches the Church about the failure of worldly wisdom. Jealousy and selfish ambition causes people to have an improper view of themselves and “lie against the truth.” Human beings can be deceived so easily and it’s important for God’s people to be on guard against this scheme of the evil one. 

Worldly wisdom does not come from the Lord. James describes this wisdom as “earthly,”  “natural,” and even “demonic” in nature. What sounds good and right to the worldly person is often diametrically opposed to Christ’s will and His Word. This earthly philosophy leads to chaos and further sinfulness when followed.

God’s people have the wisdom that comes from above. God’s Word provides us with the truth. The Holy Spirit leads us to righteousness and true goodness. And the Lord’s Church holds us accountable to the truth as we meet regularly for worship.  

Let us be thankful and give praise for the wisdom of Christ. Without it, we would be tossed to and fro by godless teaching and wisdom.

Tony French

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April 11, 2024 · 9:00 pm

Wise

Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.

James 3:l3

The wisdom of the Christian is exhibited by two things. First, the deeds the Believer performs are an opportunity to show Godly wisdom to those outside the faith. An understanding Christian who serves God by serving others is a wonderful example of Christ’s love and grace.

Also, the Christian who exhibits humility is a wise convert.  Wisdom and comprehension are revealed by the Believer through their actions. May we live with wisdom and understanding each and every day.

Tony French

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April 4, 2024 · 9:00 pm

Hypocrisy

11 Does a spring send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, bear olives, or a vine bear figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.

James 3:11-12

One of the great temptations that Christians face is that of hypocrisy. Believers, of all people, should strive to make sure that our testimony of Christ’s salvation matches up with our daily living. When the two are misaligned, God’s people are exposed to ridicule and are in danger of being ignored by lost people and the world alike. May God help His people!

While Christians do sin from time to time, it is imperative for all the converted to practice personal holiness and allow their “walk” to line up with their “talk.” Sin should be the exception in the life of a believer and not the rule. 

Tony French

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March 21, 2024 · 9:00 pm

Speech

7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. 8 But no one among mankind can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.9  With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way.

James 3:7-10

These verses reveal two main points of instruction for James. First, the Apostle teaches us that we have great difficulty in controlling our own tongue. Humans have been able to tame and subdue creatures on land and animals in the sea. Even so, human beings have a very arduous time controlling their speech. Words spoken by people have destroyed relationships, resulted in murders, and caused wars. The tongue no can tame!

Second, James tells us this should not be case with Believers. It is inconceivable that the same mouth could produce blessings to God and curses on fellow image bearers. Yet, we see this phenomena at work in others and also in ourselves.

Let us strive to control our words.  We will be judged by our speech. May God help us to remember the warnings of the Apostle.

Tony French

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March 7, 2024 · 6:00 pm

Words

Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their whole body as well.4 Look at the ships too: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are nevertheless directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot determines.

James 3:3-4

James 3 deals with the words we use in everyday life. The words we say have power. Our words have the power to destroy and the power to lift up. Christians would be wise to understand the nature of even small words which can do damage or bring healing.

The tongue, though small like a ship’s rudder or a horse’s bit, can drive the direction of our lives. If we use words of hate and destruction we will leave a path of destruction. If we use words of edification we will build up those around us for their good. The choice is ours.

Tony French

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February 29, 2024 · 6:00 pm

Warning

1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.

James 3:1-2

A strong word of warning is issued to teachers in James 3. Those who teach and preach the word of God will be judged more harshly because of the responsibility given to them. The obligation to teach Holy Scripture is high and lofty. God’s Word is being espoused and it should be taught with the utmost concern for the Bible’s accuracy and truthfulness and for the student’s comprehension and understanding. 

Every teacher must be faithful to expound the text properly and not fall into error. Consequences await the instructor who handles the Bible sloppily or falsely. Let every teacher/preacher study and teach in a way that does not cause one to stumble. May the words of the herald edify and build up the body of Christ.

Tony French

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February 22, 2024 · 9:00 pm

Faith and Works

17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe–and tremble!20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

James 2:17-26

A faith that does not result in works is a faith that has no worth. The Apostle makes this point abundantly clear. Genuine, saving faith in Christ will, of necessity, result in a changed life that desires to do the works of God.

Even the demons believe that God exists and they know His truthfulness is secure. But mental assent to the reality and power of God is not enough. Just saying true things about the Lord is inadequate. For the Christian, saving faith results in a changed life.

Abraham and Rahab are used as examples of the point James is making. Both persons believed God by faith about events that had not yet taken place. And each one acted upon their faith by doing what God said to do. Rahab and Abraham, though far from perfect, are sterling illustrations of biblical faith and works.

Christians are saved by grace, through faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Christians will also perform good works as a result of and evidence of saving faith. (Ephesians 2:10) Faith and works are not in competition with each other. Both will be revealed as authentic in the life of a Christian over time.

Tony French

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February 1, 2024 · 9:00 pm

Law Of Freedom

12 So speak, and so act, as those who are to be judged by the law of freedom.13 For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.

James 2:12-13

Christians ought to remember that they are under the law of freedom. Believers have the awesome privilege of living for Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. They are “free” to serve others, to love others, and to give their lives away for Jesus.

Christ has paid our debt, paid the price for our sins, and have justified us through His work on the cross and His resurrection. As a result, God’s people now live for Christ and not themselves. Christians will be judged not for their salvation. Rather, they will be adjudicated for how they lived their lives before the Lord their Savior.

As the Redeemed, we have received mercy through Jesus Christ. The life and sacrifice of Christ means that Jesus was judged on our behalf. Let us go forth and give mercy to the lost because we have received grace from the Lord!

Tony French

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January 25, 2024 · 10:00 pm

Love Your Neighbor

8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; 9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.11 For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.

James 2:8-11

The Apostle continues to preach against partiality by taking the reader back to the “royal law”—“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27)  Love for others requires the practice of justice and fairness. One cannot be a Christ-honoring Believer and practice favoritism. To do so would cause one to disobey and eschew the law of Christ.

James teaches another powerful truth in verses 10 and 11. In those stanzas, Christians are taught that breaking one commandment makes them guilty of breaking the whole law. The one, true God who commands against adultery also commands against murder. The same Law-Giver who prohibits idolatry also prohibits covetousness. Breaking one command of God’s Word makes humans guilty of ignoring all the precepts in the sight of the Almighty.

Thankfully, there was one who kept the Law of God perfectly. Christ Jesus kept the Law, fulfilled the Law, and was perfectly obedient to the Father. The Spotless Lamb died in the place of sinful humans and paid the debt of sin and the price of sin in His atoning work on the cross. He was raised to life the third day so that all who believe may be forgiven and receive the imputed righteousness of Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Believe in Jesus today. He is your only hope of salvation. (Acts 4:32) Christ saves without partiality. Call upon Him today. 

Tony French

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January 11, 2024 · 9:00 pm

Act Justly

4 Have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives? 5 Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court? 7 Do they not blaspheme the fair name by which you have been called?

James 2:4-7

Discrimination against the poor is in view in James 2:4-7. Two main condemnations are expressed by the Apostle as he teaches us to avoid distinctions and treat all with justice.

First, discriminating against the less fortunate reveals evil motives. Judging others based on their poverty results in a heart that is motivated not by the truths of God. Rather, a heart of greed and avarice is put on full display when Christians dishonor the poor.

Also, Christians blaspheme (to make little of) the name of Christ when they favor the rich over the poor. Jesus came to this planet for the disadvantaged whether they were poor in spirit or few in possessions. Even Christ had no place to lay His head. (Luke 9:58) The Believer brings judgement upon themselves if they act in favoritism.

It is far better to treat all with kindness and dignity. Such actions honor the Scriptures and give an example of Christ’s love to others.

Tony French

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