James

The Epistle of James was written by James the brother of Jesus between 45-49 AD.  This is the same James who was bishop of the church in Jerusalem and who was head overseer in the special meeting in Acts 15.  The book of James starts out with addressing the twelve tribes of Israel dispersed among the nations.  The twelve tribes could be a symbolic term which is inclusive of both Jews and Gentiles or it could apply to the Jews.  James tells the believers to copnsider it pure joy when they endure trials for the testing of their faith will develop perseverance.  Endurance in God is one thing that is a vital tool for Christian growth.  James speaks of prayers offered in faith in which the believer can not doubt.  Now, this does not absolutely mean that if you have the least little doubt in your head that prayers will not get answered.  Rather, it means that you don't come to the Lord and say Lord, if you can- because God can do anything.  James reminds people to read the Bible.  He refers to the Word of God as a mirror which we look through to see how we are doing.  Nobody looks in the mirror when they are getting ready for their date and says,"Ah, I got a jalapeno sized booger sticking out of my nose, Ah who cares.  "  Yet, many people do that in their spiritual walks everyday.  James tells of how every good and perfect gift is from above.  He speaks of religion that God accepts as pure and faultless as that which takes care of widows and orphans and that kepp's one from being polluted by the world.  James emphasizes that the believers should not show favoritism to any one member because they look nicer or they come from a rich family.  James makes clear that it is in humble positions that the believer will be exalted by God.  James uses his knowledge of the law to speak of how he who breaks the law is guilty of breaking all of it.  James makes it clear that while faith alone saves you, if you have really have faith- then you need to back it up with your works.  Liberal scholars often say that James contradicts Paul by his statement that man is justified by both faith and works.  However, it is not a contradiction at all but rather James is saying that you prove your faith by your works.  James speaks of the difficulty of taming the tongue for it is a wildfire that speaks gpossip and cursing.  He appears to be targeting the Pharisees in this statement.  James before he accepted Christ was probably either a Pharisee or a Sadducee.  It's hard to tell which one.  The Pharisee idea is backed up by the fact that as a Christian he believed in the resurrection but that doesn;t mean he wasn't a sadducee before.  The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection  yet they were active in the work of the temple and we know that James was very active in the work of the temple.  Some alternative writings to the Bible that are not absolutely historical but may be speak of James as the High Priest.  James encourages believers to submit themselves to God.  He tells them not to worry about their life for God will take care of them.  The terms used by James are strikingly similar to the book of Matthew.  There is one theory that the author of Matthew was also a brother of Jesus which would thus make him a brother of James as well.  James warns the rich oppressors within the church saying they have hoarded their wealth.  In a time when the Word-Faith Movement is becoming exceedingly popular, we need an in your face character like James to come and rebuke them for their heresy.  James concludes by talking of the prayer of faith and having the elders pray over the sick of the church.  james if definitely an epistle that distinctly and clearly lays out the Jewishness of Christianity.  He is a good resource to read if you want to have faith that is in accordance with action.  From the contextual consensus of this reading, I think it is almost unanimous that James wasn't so much the lubby dubby kind of preacher.  Rather, he was in your face with the truth even if it would offend you right to the very core of your heart.  These are the kinds of preachers we need in this present hour when the church is basically dominated by hypocrites and apostates.