James 1.1-18 - Capitol Commission
An Ageless Message
15 January 2013
RON J. BIGALKE, PASTOR/MISSIONARY, CAPITOL COMMISSION, 912.659.4212
Bible Study Title
Ron J. Bigalke , PhD / PO Box 244, Rincon, GA 31326‐0244 / www.capitolcom.org / [email protected]
CAPITOL BIBLE STUDY 152 nd General Assembly ( weekly schedule) * first 2013 Bible study is Tuesday, 15 January *
• TUESDAYS @ 7:30 AM in 123 CAP • TUESDAYS @ 12 NOON in 123 CAP
his writing that the book is intensely applicable in its emphasis upon personal responsibility, which is, of course, necessary for us to read and understand. Indeed, we need God to use His divinely inspired Word to convict us, and to empower and motivate us to godly living. The book of James is a moral exhortation to Christian living not only as individuals but also as members of the body of Christ. There are those who talk holiness and are hypocrites; those who make profession of perfect love and yet cannot live peaceably with their brethren; those who are full of pious phraseology but fail in practical philanthropy. This epistle was written for them. It may not give them much comfort, but it ought to give them much profit. The mysticism that
Capitol Commission Bible Study is Tuesday, 15 January 2013 James 1:1-18 – “An Ageless Message” The first Capitol Commission Bible study for 2013 will be in the New Testament with the book of James, which is relevant for the Capitol Community because this book is concerned with ethics. Indeed, ethics and politics are interrelated. Politics is an extension of ethics, and ethics is an extension of theology. Ethics involves decision making in all realms of life. The rationale for that decision-making is not always obvious because it is based upon one’s worldview (i.e. one’s reason for living, one’s decision for the focus of their life, and one’s consequences for those decisions). One’s worldview is their answer to the following questions: (1) what is ultimate reality?; (2) what is the goal of history?; (3) what is man?; (4) what occurs at death?; and, (5) what is the basis of authority for morality? Theology is the answer to those questions. Therefore, your theology will determine your ethics, from which is determined morality and politics. Therefore, it is absolutely critical to abide in the truth of God’s Word and in the Savior, so that one’s ethics are based upon the spirit of truth, not the spirit of error (e.g., see 1 John 4:1-6). Good men and women—because God has constituted them as such— will make good politics. James 1:5 – But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
The book of James is a practical work within the Bible. However, the emphasis of the book of James upon Christian living does not mean that it is a necessarily easy work to read and study. The book of James is quite easy to understand; however, James was so candid in
contents itself with pious frames and phrases and comes short in actual sacrifice and devoted service will find its antidote here. The antinomianism that professes great confidence in free grace, but does not recognize the necessity for corresponding purity of life, needs to ponder the practical wisdom of this epistle. The quietists who are satisfied to sit and sing themselves away to everlasting bliss ought to read this epistle until they catch its bugle note of inspiration to present activity and continuous good deeds. All who are long on theory and short on practice ought to steep themselves in the spirit of James; and since there are such people in every community and in every age, the message of the epistle will never grow old [Doremus Almy Hayes, “James, Epistle of,” in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, 5 vols., gen. ed. James Orr (Chicago: The Howard-Severance Company, 1915) 3:1567].
The message of the book of James is certainly ageless, eternal, and timeless. The importance of studying God’s Word to us through his “bond-servant” is certainly evident.
HOW TO ENDURE VARIOUS TRIALS (Jas 1:1-2) The author of the book of James is identified as “a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” The author was a younger half brother of Jesus Christ, according to physical birth as a child of Joseph and Mary (Gal 1:19). Mark 6:3 records the author’s name first in a list of Jesus’ brothers, thus it is likely that he was the oldest of the half brothers. Two notable facts can be identified concerning James. First, he was an authoritative and well-known individual among the early church (Acts 12:17; 15:13-21; 21:17-19; 1 Cor 15:7; Gal 2:9). Second, he demonstrated tremendous humility for he simply identified himself as a servant of the Lord Jesus. The book of James was likely written prior to the Jerusalem council (Acts 15), and prior to AD 62 when the author was martyred. A probable date for authorship of the book of James is AD 45.
Capitol Commission Bible Studies Tuesday (15 January) @ 7:30am, 123 CAP Tuesday (15 January) @ 12 Noon, 123 CAP (lunch will be provided by Capitol Commission donor)
Georgia An Ageless Message (Jas 1:3-11) The content of the book is focused upon the theme of faith; moreover, the practical and uncompromising approach of the book is characteristic of the style of the Old Testament prophets. The book of James contains a series of exhortations (hortatory statements) that urge readers—such as you and I—to demonstrate the authenticity of professed belief in God through both attitude and behavior. The exhortations of the book commence with the concepts of faith and trials. Various trails are sovereignly intended to prove the genuineness of faith, which will result in the believer being made “perfect and complete” (1:2-4). “Endurance” suggests perseverance or stamina; it does not merely connote the ability to restrain the discouraging expressions of a bad temper or remorseful self-pity; rather, it is the divine empowering that believers can possess when trusting in God. Faith that is tested becomes spiritually mature, which means one is complete and undivided in heart and mind to be devoted to God, as opposed to vacillating between the things of this world and the world to come (4:4; cf. 1 Kgs 18:21; Matt 6:24; Col 3:1-4). James 3:13 – Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
Christians must seek wisdom from God to endure afflictions and difficulties that threaten to overpower and overwhelm (1:5-8), and to “ask in faith without any doubting” (1:6). Genuine faith in God is complete commitment to Him in trusting obedience, and such trust is evident in how we perceive the Source of true value and worth (1:9-11; cf. Jer 9:23-24; Matt 19:30; Luke 16:15; 20:46-47; Gal 6:14). Divine wisdom provides a true perspective regarding life, that is, one that is contrary to the wisdom of the world (Jas 3:13-18). Where do you tend to seek wisdom, both in making important decisions and in managing daily issues of life? What should we do if we lack wisdom? Scripture tells us that we should “ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach” (1:5; cf. 1 John 5:14-15). 1 Corinthians 2:12, 14 – Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God. . . . But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness . . . because they are spiritual appraised.
True wisdom is not found in the communal judgment of the culture, or in personal experience, or in secular philosophies; rather, God alone is the source of all true wisdom (Prov 2:6; 15:33; 1 Kgs 4:2930; Ps 51:6; Dan 2:21; 1 Cor 3:19; Eph 1:17). Therefore, the one who seeks wisdom will find it in God’s Word, the Holy Bible. God’s wisdom allows one to understand how the Lord is involved in the daily issues of life. Consequently, trials need not be regarded as hindrances, but as divine opportunities to become wise. The word “trial” was not used throughout the book of James; however, the concept is continued. One manner in which one can understand the Christian life is to regard every life experience as a test
Throughout the book of James, there are many dynamics expressed that evidence the testing of one’s faith in God. The Word of God is compared to a mirror, which reveals one’s true nature (1:22-25). The outworking of faith in God is demonstrated in several dynamics: the manner in which we regard others (2:1); the productivity of our lives (2:17); the use of our tongue (3:2; 4:11); our personal desires (4:1-3); and, even in our business practices (4:14-15). Through the use of these various illustrations, the primary emphasis of the book is conveyed: faith in God, which is genuine, will endure and mature.
HOW TO BE BLESSED AND APPROVED (Jas 1:12-18) The one who endures various trials will be approved, and blessed to receive a divine reward (1:12). The imagery of the Christian life as a race, in which (at the finish) one receives a “crown of life” that endures forever, is expressed throughout the New Testament (1 Cor 9:24-25; 2 Tim 2:5; 4:8; Heb 12:1-3; 1 Pet 5:4). The crown is eternal life, which is the common inheritance of all those who persevere in obedience and faith until being welcomed into the presence of God (Rev 2:10; cf. Matt 7:21-23; 1 John 2:19). God does indeed cause trials in the life of His people (Gen 22:1; 2 Chron 32:31); however, in such situations, one must not blame God for the evil effects of those trials (Jas 1:13-16). God is not responsible for human sin for He is the source of all that is good (1:17-18). God’s goodness is evident in that He does not change (1:17) and in His revealing “the word of truth” that brings new life to those who trust in Him (1:18). Surely, the Lord God can be trusted for He is faithful and His intentions are always good. We have no excuse for a diminished faith in either action or thought. May this Bible study encourage you to endure various trials, and thereby experience the blessing and approval of God—by His grace and for His glory! Thank you for allowing Capitol Commission the honor to provide Bible studies to you. If you have any questions, please talk with us, or contact us by email or phone (912.659.4212). We are praying for you personally throughout the day and week (1 Tim 2:1-4).
About Capitol Commission Capitol Commission state directors are pastors/missionaries who teach weekly verse-by-verse Bible studies for the entire Capitol community. State directors also meet personally with many government leaders to proclaim God’s grace in salvation, to encourage our leaders, pray with them, and provide biblical counsel. The mission of Capitol Commission is to reach Capitol communities for Christ—one person at a time, to disciple them, and to prepare them for a lifetime of ministry, wherever God chooses to place them. Capitol Commission is a charitable and religious nonprofit corporation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Capitol Commission is supported by the generous gifts of businesses, churches, and individuals. Capitol Commission is not state-funded; rather, those with a heart for the Capitol community fund it. Please join us in this ministry!
N EXT CAPITOL COMMISSION BIBLE STUDIES: T UESDAY , 22 JANUARY @7:30 AM in 123 CAP and again @ 12 N OON in 123 CAP
Bible study luncheon sponsored by: State Representative – Tom Rice Georgia House District 95
to demonstrate one’s professed faith/trust in the Lord Jesus. “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!” (2 Cor 13:5). Therefore, the book of James exhorts the believer to vindicate his/her faith before others by demonstrating the reality of that trust.
