James : Who Has Superior Faith

By David Wilson

A simple conversational Bible Studywith multiple applications based the letter of James. James deals with people who had been beaten down by the claim that their faith and spirituality was inferior. At the same time, James rebukes those who claimed to be spiritually superior and at the same time teaches what really superior faith is all about.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Apr 13, 2011
• ISBN: 9781257617418

David Wilson

David Wilson is an emeritus professor of criminology and the founding director of the Centre for Applied Criminology at Birmingham City University. Prior to 1997, he was a prison governor, and, at twenty-nine, he became the youngest governor in England. He regularly appears in print and broadcast media as a commentator and presenter and won the Royal Television Society's Award for best documentary in 2017.

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Introduction

James is my favorite book of the Bible. I have always been drawn to its practical approach and straightforward method of approaching the subject of living one’s faith. James doesn’t spend a lot of time discussing doctrine, though the book is full of doctrinal concepts. Instead, James concisely proclaims how believers are to respond to various people and situations and in so doing truly demonstrate a superior faith.

The book is addressed to multiple congregations that were dispersed throughout the known world. However, by its context, I personally believe James was writing to a particular group of believers and addressing some very specific problems in conduct and practice.

This letter must also be considered in context of Jewish cultural ideas. The fact that this letter is written to believers who were at the very least familiar with Jewish history is borne out by the references to Job, Elijah, and the prophets. Prevalent in this letter is James’ constant refutation of the Jewish cultural concept that material wealth was a valid measurement of spiritual health.

Regardless of his target audience, James scores a direct hit to a common problem in churches both then and now. There were those in the churches that James was writing that considered themselves to be more spiritually mature than others. They asserted this so-called maturity and attempted to seek positions of authority, social prominence, and power within the church. While there were those willing to submit to those inappropriate assertions and view these assertions as valid, others objected and battled in an effort to assert their own prominence within the church.

Into these sad circumstances, James writes his letter, establishing a measuring stick for true spiritual maturity. By the time the churches completed the reading of this letter, I can imagine there were some red faces in the local congregations. Some should have been embarrassed because they had accepted the assertions of superiority. Some should have been ashamed because they had made the assertions. Still others should have recognized areas of their own personal shortcomings.

Years ago I went shooting with my younger brother. We went to an indoor target range for the first time. Rather than shooting at those familiar circular targets, Doug opted for a man-shaped silhouette target. He used the motorized cable to send the target out the full length of the range and proceeded to empty his six-shooter at the target. When he drew the target back he removed it from the clip and held it up for me to see. In the target was one bullet hole, down near the bottom, where the man’s wrist would have been. Doug approached his target with a grin, I winged ‘em! (His next series of shots were much improved.)

Doug wasn’t really proud of the fact that he had winged his target. Instead, he was glad he hadn’t missed all six shots. He used what he learned and quickly corrected his aim and began to do more than simply wing the imaginary burglar. This is what believers need to do when they read James. They have an opportunity to recognize their shortcomings, correct them, and begin to do better.

Reading the book of James provides the believer an opportunity to measure himself not on the scale used by the world or even the church. It allows the believer to measure himself based on God’s ways. We can be pleased in the areas where we believe we are succeeding. Being proud of our occasional success in hitting the target will never be adequate before the Lord. James offers us the opportunity to sharpen our spiritual shooting skills.

James touches on so many areas of a walk with God. He deals with temptations and hard times. He spends a great deal talking about the tongue and how we talk. He talks about the need to put our faith into action. He deals with the issues of seeking power and position within the church.

James hits the target dead center. I hope you will not find one or two areas of spiritual success and be satisfied. I hope you will adapt and correct those areas where you are missing the mark. Don’t just wing your target---hit it dead center!

CHAPTER ONE

1:1 Introduction & Greeting

Unlike most of Paul’s letters, James begins with a very simple explanation of his role in Christ’s kingdom. He calls himself a servant. He doesn’t claim apostleship, though his readers likely knew he had been the leader of the church at Jerusalem before the believers were scattered about by persecution. Instead, he calls himself a servant.

James is going to condemn self-promoters and position seekers as his letter develops. It is interesting to note that he chose for himself a simple title of humility before Christ rather than asserting authority.

Though the Greek word used is different, a Jewish reader might have related James’ reference to being a servant of Christ to the bonding of a servant to a household. (Exodus 21:2-6). Under Old Testament Law a servant was to be freed during the Jubilee year. However, a servant could by choice refuse freedom and become part of the household. If he freely chose to do so, he would be taken to the doorpost of the house and his ear would be pierced with an awl. This choice was made out of a sense of love and loyalty.

I believe James may have been referencing this choice. He was (by choice) a servant of Christ. He humbled himself to this position and it was the perfect position to use to present the truths he was about to share in this letter. He did not assert authority even though he spoke with authority. His priority was the message he was sharing rather than his own personal position or reputation. He chose to call himself a servant in order to demonstrate what he was preaching-- that believers were not to be seeking to claim spiritual authority over other believers.

1:2 Superior Faith Responds Joyfully to Trials

James tells the reader that he is to respond to trials in joy. The New International Version uses the phrase pure joy to describe the type of emotion that the believer should respond with. The Greek word is pas, which is often translated as all. In other words, the believer has nothing to feel sorry about when he experiences these terrible trials.

The Greek word for trial that is used here is peirasmoi and can be used to refer to trials from within or from without. It is used for personal periods of crisis, tests of character, as well as to refer to an outward temptation to become involved in sin.

Christians are not any more immune to suffering than Christ Jesus was during his earthly ministry. Jesus stated that the believer is blessed when people heap disrespect and persecution upon him for the cause of Christ (Matthew 5:11). Peter commands us (I Peter 4:12) not to be surprised when we encounter trials. The Apostle Paul said All that will live godly will suffer persecution. (II Timothy 3:12)

Adrian Rogers once said of suffering for the cause of Christ, "It