You probably know there was a huge argument about allowing the book of James to stay in the canon. It belonged there because it was with all the other books that has been accepted from the beginning. The questionable books, the ones in the Apocryphal (of questionable authority) all came much later.
Many felt James taught salvation by works, in opposition to the gospel. By the time you get to chapter 4, you feel beaten down, as if holiness is out of reach. How can I control my tongue? How can I endure temptation? How can I possibly love my neighbor as myself?
HELP! WHAT AM I TO DO?
JAMES TELLS US IN CHAPTER 4.
My seminary professor said, “And that’s exactly where James wants us. He said, “Now James tells you to fall upon God: ‘Lament and mourn and weep! Let laughter be turned to mourning and your gloom to joy. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.’ (James 4:9-10) This is the gospel. We must realize we are without hope. We cannot do it ourselves. We are so bad it took the death of Christ to pay for our sin, yet so loved that He did it.”
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JAMES IS THE SAME AS THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO HIS HALF BROTHER, JESUS.
Sunday:
- Share a way the Lord has been with you this week.
Monday: James 4:1-6
2. Make ten observations.
3. What two reasons are given for not receiving from God in prayer?
4. Share a recent answered prayer — did it pass the above two stumbling blocks?
5. In what context are we told that the Spirit is jealous over us?
6. Can you find the gospel in this section?
Tuesday: James 4:7-10
7. List the commands in this passage.
8. Find the gospel at least twice.
9. Let us be still before Him, praying for our hearts with the help of these verses, to trust and obey.
Wednesday: James 4:11-12 -Obeying the Law of Love
Slander! I have been guilty of exaggerating a genuine grievance to get sympathy from another. That’s slander. That’s a high bar that I have at times missed.
I also am convicted by “stirring up dissension among brothers.” I am listening to a biography of George Whitfield. He and John Wesley were once close but argued fiercely about Whitfield’s belief in election and Wesley’s belief that it was possible to reach sinless perfection. Then Wesley wrote a letter to circulate about what he saw as blasphemy in Whitfield’s theology of election. Whitfield pleaded with Wesley to be silent about these peripheral matters, but he was not, and it caused division among many brothers.
10. Make 5 observations.
11. How does slander or speaking against a brother go against the law of love?
12. Make 5 observations on Proverbs 6:16-19. What parallels do you see with this passage?
13. In the book of Acts, there is public confrontation of Peter by Paul, but it is a central concern of the gospel. Do you remember what it was and the result?
14. How might you apply this teaching from James and Proverbs?
Thursday: James 4:13-17
15. Make five observations.
16. What connection is James making about our life being a mist and not boasting about what we will do tomorrow?
17. Meditate on verse 17. So often we see a holy life as abstaining from certain sins. What does this say? How does the Lord speak to you specifically about this?
Friday: James and the Gospel
18. How would you answer the criticism that James advocates salvation by works?
Saturday:
19. What is your God Shot?
140 comments
SUNDAY
As I was reading this morning, I was struck by the sentence “The faith you have is the faith you show,” from How to be a Christian without being Religious. All week as I’ve been reading/studying here, I’ve had to take a hard look at myself, and this sentence put a cap on it, so to speak. Also my memory verse for the week was 2John 6a, And this is love, that we walk after his commandments.
Christ lives in me by the power of the Holy Spirit, this is my Hope! All this week I have felt the moving of the Spirit convicting and refining me. Who would have thought that after 52 years I would still need more help? But I do!
I am so thankful that God still moves in me, refining me to be conformed to His Son’s image – loving others, living out my faith. I am so thankful that He saved me by His grace, What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
No one can stand against the Lord in my life, NOT EVEN ME! He loves me in spite of my weakness. Praise the Lord!
Cheryl Ann, I love this No one can stand against the Lord in my life, NOT EVEN ME! He loves me in spite of my weakness. Praise the Lord!
Sunday:
Share a way the Lord has been with you this week.
—Well it has been been a very eventful week in that Terry and I sold our home. It all happened quite quickly and simply. We did not use realtors because we live in a small town and putting a for sale sign in our yard and word of mouth sells houses here. The couple who bought it are cash buyers. That in itself is unusual but has made the whole transaction fairly simple. We see God’s hand very much in this decision and now we will be looking to buy a home in Lincoln. This is all a step of faith and I said we feel like Abraham. “It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going.” Hebrews 11:8
Outside of going to Lincoln we don’t know where we are going because we don’t have a place to live yet but tomorrow we are headed to Lincoln which is 3 hours a way from here and start the search to find a home. Lincoln has a lot to offer us as opposed to spending our remaining years in a small town. God has given us a wonderful godly young woman to be our realtor. She is part of the church that we will attend in Lincoln.
God has given us much peace about this decision but leaving Broken Bow will be hard. We have lived in this house for 36 years and the memories are many. Broken Bow is our hometown where we both were born and where we were married. Our two youngest children were born here and our parents and grandparents are buried here so our roots run pretty deep. But ultimately Heaven is our home. The Lord has been close to us in many ways this past week. 💕
Bev, What an exciting time of life for you and Terry. I will be praying that the Lord continues to lead you to your new home in Lincoln.🙏
Bev, I am so very excited to hear that you and Terry have sold your home! The Lord is so good. And that you are moving to Lincoln! I so look forward to meeting you face to face, as we are only about 80-some miles away!
Be praying for you as you look for a home in Lincoln, and as you leave Broken Bow. 36 years in one place-that’ll be hard to leave. But just like you said: “But ultimately Heaven is our home.”
Bev, I truly admire your view on life. I can’t imagine leaving your home of 36 years and with the family heritage there. I love your analogy to Abraham-beautiful is your faith in Him.
Oh Father, thank You for this answer to prayer in the sale of Bev and Terry’s home. Please do before them today and guide them to their new home on this earth. In Jesus Name I pray
Oh Bev, what a wonderful answer to prayer and I continue to pray for God’s guidance and wisdom in your house hunt in Lincoln!
I love this story Bev! My husband and I have been married 36 years. We have lived in 2 homes; in Texas and in NH. I’m happy for you and sad about your leaving too. I do think it’s important for you to be in a more accommodating place as an older person. I’ve thought a lot about that lately. I really don’t have much of a family outside of my nuclear family, so if my husband dies before me I have no idea where I would go. I love what you said about heaven being our home.
WOW! What a week for sure. Praying for God to lead you to your next home.
Sunday:
Share a way the Lord has been with you this week.
I had memorized Philippians 4:6-8 a long time ago, and the Lord often brings these verses to mind. I have it on the wall in front of my desktop, and I saw it again today as I am thinking about what to share. It is amazing how a verse can speak to us differently at different times. There are so many concerns that I could start rehearsing in my mind, and could take me on a downward spiral. But I refuse to let that happen and ask the Lord for help. And today, that peace which passes all understanding settled in my heart once again. I don’t have to have all things figured out. And the verse before these verses? “…The Lord is near.” He is near, indeed!
That peace and not needing to have things all figured out -the Lord is near. Yes, finding that peace is what I want as well. Thank you, Bing.
Bing, Thank you for this. I need this today. I love that you refused to look at your concerns and quickly turned to the Lord. I echo Chris’s thoughts, peace is what I desire to find, as well. Only in Jesus.
Bing, some of my favorite verses…so good that His peace “settled in.” Whenever those verses come to mind I go back to verse 4…”Rejoice in the Lord and again I say, rejoice.”
Sunday:
Share a way the Lord has been with you this week. The Lord is working in my life in a new way. I’m so blessed to have spent time in ministry for children with our churches in the past. It was something I truly enjoyed and I still enjoy spending time with children and helping them become curious about their faith and the Lord. Since we left our former church and began attending our new one, I have not felt led to be a part of the children’s ministry. I have been serving in hospitality, mainly with greeting and providing cookies after the service. Our church is ready to begin a prayer ministry and I was invited to attend the first planning meeting for this last week. I learned that no one in our group has ever been a part of such a ministry. We each have our own personal experience with prayer, but not anything like this. I’d love any resources anyone has for me.
In addition, the Lord is working in my heart about starting spiritual retreats. In my desperation of the trial my husband and I had recently, I sought the Lord alone at a nearby park. He definitely met me there, but I was left wanting more out of the experience. For one, it wasn’t near long enough. It was very last minute and I feel fortunate to have had the time I did, but I would like to plan a full day or an overnight away with just the Lord. In preparation, I bought a little book called, “Spiritual Retreat for Tired Souls”, by Linda Andersen. I am feeling myself drawn more and more to the idea of experiencing God on a deeper level.
Lastly, for Father’s Day, I got out some old pictures from my childhood and from my dad’s childhood. I only have a few but they help me remember my dad’s story and my own. In the pile, I found my dad’s testimony of sorts. Sometime after the tragic accident and my parents divorce he had tried to process what he called the ripples in his life. He came to see all the tragedy and challenges which resulted as a part of God’s plan in his life. At the center of his little book, he tells how the most important part is my step-mom reintroducing him to the Lord. From there, he praises God several times for the work He did in his life. It was a bitter sweet time of reflection. My dad has been gone to heaven now for almost 10 years. I’m happy to have seen the look on his face as he reached toward heaven in his last moments here on earth. And I’m happy he’s no longer suffering. My dad was a tangible way for me to feel the Lord working here on earth and I do miss him.
I love your heart, Chris. Father please show Chris Your place for her to minister best and joyfully with her gifts. In Jesus name I pray.
You have such a beautiful heart for the Lord, Chris. I love the sweet memories you shared about your dad. It is good to reflect and it shows the importance of writing our thoughts to give or leave for our family. This is a powerful post. I am part of a Prayer ministry at my church here on RI. I would be happy to share what I know. It might be easier by email.
Oh, Patti, I would love to know what you can share. Please email me. Obfarm@yahoo.com
I will send you some information later today Chris.🙏
Monday: James 4:1-6
2. Make ten observations. 1. Our passion cause quarrels 2. Desires cause us to murder-what??3. We covet and fight to get what we want. 4. We do not have because we do not ask. 5. We ask and do not receive because we ask with selfish motives. 6. We are not loyal to God and foolishly prefer the world. 7. A friend of the world is the enemy of God. 8. He yearns jealously over the spirit he has made to dwell in us. 9. But he gives more grace. `10. He opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
3. What two reasons are given for not receiving from God in prayer? selfish motives and pride
4. Share a recent answered prayer — did it pass the above two stumbling blocks? It’s interesting to me to consider whether I am always humble and unselfish in my prayers. I would say I am mostly selfish when I am praying for day to day circumstances. I do know that in bigger matters, for instance, relationship issues and spiritual growth for others, I am humbly seeking the best for others. I’ve been praying for years for healing for my daughter for instance and I am finally seeing fruit in her life. It is a great joy to see the way the Lord is blessing her after a season of great trial. I do not know that I can truly be unselfish in my prayers, however. Only through the Spirit, can I forget myself.
5. In what context are we told that the Spirit is jealous over us?
6. Can you find the gospel in this section?
OOPS! Forgot these two:
5. In what context are we told that the Spirit is jealous over us? I am curious to see what everyone thinks of this verse. There seems to be some confusion about how to interpret. I take it as the Holy Spirit being jealous over our love for the world.
6. Can you find the gospel in this section? It has to be verse 6, where God gives grace to the humble.
Monday: James 4:1-6
2. Make ten observations. 1.Quarrels and even lawsuits derive from the lusts/desires within the person, battle between flesh and spirit 2.Desire, envy, fighting to obtain worldly riches won’t provide you with what you want 3. Asking the Lord won’t get you what you want/desire 4. Requests that are selfish, born out of envy and worldly desireare wrong, 5. Like an unfaithful husband/wife, seeking worldly gain/honor is turning away from God 6. To be a friend of the world (wanting riches, honor, power, etc) is to be in opposition to God 7. The scriptures clearly show that the fleshly spirit is envious/lustful for worldly things 8. The Lord gives more grace than the world can give to overcome lust/envy 9, God stands in opposition to pride (selfish ambition) 10. God gives grace to the humble believer
I found it hard to list ten things. I always do my own work before looking at the other posts. I’m interested to see what my sisters have written.
3. What two reasons are given for not receiving from God in prayer? 1. Asking out of selfish desire or ambition 2. God stands in opposition to pride
4. Share a recent answered prayer — did it pass the above two stumbling blocks? My husband had been waiting six weeks for an MRI appt, and had been calling repeatedly. I asked my bible study group of women to pray about it. THE NEXT DAY Gary spoke with a person who said, “You need a chest xray first (because of his pacemaker). I’ll put in that order right now, and then the MRI can be scheduled.” Xray is done and MRI is this Friday.
5. In what context are we told that the Spirit is jealous over us? Okay, now I am confused.
6. Can you find the gospel in this section? The gospel being the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and our faith in that; no I don’t see it. I do see advice and wisdom for the believer.
Cheryl, What a wonderful way God answered your prayer for Gary’s appointment! He is always waiting for us to ask Him.
I LOVE IT WHEN ANSWERS COME SO QUICKLY AFTER GROUP PRAYER!
Share a way the Lord has been with you this week.
This is sort of a rabbit hole that is like half of a story……but I truly felt the Lord’s presence….
I attended a memorial service for a neighbor, who recently died from a fast moving cancer. She was an author, only 62, very reclusive, and no one in our neighborhood really knew her. That made me sad. I had spoken with her husband a number of times when I walked my dogs, and told him I hoped to meet her sometime. (I never knew she was sick until a week before she died) I live in a no gossip neighborhood, which is good. He always said, she is very shy, but we will have to do that…The service was in a very old, tiny and beautiful stone Episcopal church, right near the ocean. When my other neighbors and I arrived, a lovely petite woman approached me with a smile and a huge hug. She thought she knew me? I did not know her, but she looked a bit familiar….it was a total kiss from the king. I asked if she was Melanie’s niece and she said, no, she was her twin sister. I have felt a great impression that the Lord wants me to know her. (?)…The service was so beautiful and it was very Christ centered. Melanie’s 90 year old father read the 23rd Psalm. Her husband and son spoke. Both sweet. The pastor only met Melanie a few weeks before she died. They talked much about heaven. The service included the Apostle’s creed and the assurance of eternal life given at Baptism when we proclaim our faith. I spoke with the sister again at the reception at Melanie’s home.…..I love that everything was Christ centered, yet no one in the family mentioned Jesus….not at the reception either. The Lord has definitely impressed me to pray for all of them. I did invite the sister to come over sometime to visit if she was in town. She lives an hour away in Boston. 🙏🙏…..
What an interesting experience, Patti. I know that my grandmothers and even my parents grew up in a generation that kept religion, politics and money closely guarded. These were not topics for open discussion. I find that so contrary to the gospel and our requirement as believers to go to the ends of the earth with the good news, but this may be a part of this family’s culture.
Chris, I felt conflicted…yet, hopeful….I keep thinking back on it and looking for something in the unspoken words….it gave me a lot to pray about. Our pastor has doing “garden sermons” a recent one about planting seeds. I pray that God will lead me….it is a bit of a weird rabbit hole… maybe I’m reading too much into it.
Praying for your friendship to bear fruit, dear Patti
May your love bear fruit, Patti!
Patti — I’m having trouble posting but praying this love bears fruit.
Monday: James 4:1-6
2. Make ten observations.
1. The word you /your ( me) 😣appears with every source of quarrel and conflict.
2. You lust for what you want.
3. You envy what others have and you do not have.
4. You fight and you quarrel.
5. You ask with wrong motives, for your own pleasures
6. You love the world more than God.
7. Being friends with the world, makes you an enemy of God.
8. He tells us in Scripture that HE desires the Spirit that He made to dwell in us.
9.God is opposed to the proud
10.God gives grace to the humble.
3. What two reasons are given for not receiving from God in prayer? I ask with the wrong motive. I ask for things for my own pleasure. I need to pray with a heart of thanksgiving and to pray for things that will be glorifying to God. God can always see my motives, in spite of my words. He sees my heart and mind. I may convince myself that I am unselfish, but He knows the real me. Lord turn my heart totally to You, always.
4. Share a recent answered prayer — did it pass the above two stumbling blocks?
I have long prayed to get to know my neighbors and friends at church better, and find some common bonds, that would glorify God. This is slowly happening in unexpected ways. My next door neighbors, who are lovely (but I don’t know them well) sat in front of us at the memorial. I was with another couple, also neighbors. I chatted with my next door neighbors at the reception about the beauty of the church, and about where we each go to church. They know my pastor and also a couple from the Life Group I belong to. It is all God, helping me to connect… baby steps.
5. In what context are we told that the Spirit is jealous over us? God desires to have our faithfulness, love and His Holy Spirit live in us, not for us to live filled with the values of this world’s system.
6. Can you find the gospel in this section? I feel that the Gospel is mostly in James 4:6 . Even as sinners, as we humble ourselves before Jesus, He gives us His Grace. The previous verses compare the choices~ the world or what Jesus desires of our hearts.
Hurray, for answered prayers!
Monday: James 4:1-6
1. 2. Make ten observations.
The source of wars and fights among the members is passion from within, according to James.
You desire and do not have. (wrong desires?)
You murder (yikes!) AND covet and cannot obtain. Coveting is a treacherous enemy. I have been there, and even if I have “obtained” the thing, what does it feel like I really didn’t?
Waging war and fighting connotes that it is an ingrained way of getting what they want.
Sometimes, I just don’t ask my Abba! And then when I do, it is for wrong motives or to spend it on my pleasure.
What is my motive when I ask?
All the above is my attachment to worldly ways. V. 4 When I choose the world, I am hostile to God’s ways. Oh, wow! I did not see that coming.
I am not just an idolater but also an adulterer!
I was moved by verse 5, “the Spirit He made to dwell in us envies intensely.” This made me feel very loved. He knows the “world” is only trouble for me.
I need to humbly receive His grace, knowing I do not deserve what He gives me because of the wretched condition of my heart.
2. 3. What two reasons are given for not receiving from God in prayer?
Not asking from God.
Asking with wrong motives and for one’s pleasure.
3. 5. Share a recent answered prayer — did it pass the above two stumbling blocks?
We have this one family who has been coming to church, and the oldest child is 13 years old. She has approached us before about being baptized, and in the course of several conversations with her, I have observed that she may not be ready yet. I have been praying for her and asking God to lead our pastor and me on how to approach this matter.
I thought of her when we were looking at Acts and a comment from TLC about the church, then waiting for three years before a new “convert” gets baptized. Of course, I am not looking at waiting three years! But the Lord will lead!
She also told me that she was baptized before at another church of a different denomination, but that was a decision made by her mom. She said, “This time, this is my decision, and I want to be immersed.” Our pastor and I felt it best to wait until we get to know her better. She is a sweet and very helpful girl, and because they live close to our church, she offered to help with anything I do for the ministries we are involved with. Last Sunday, for Father’s Day, she read a poem about Joseph being the earthly father of Jesus, and was very excited to ask how she did later that evening.
I feel at peace with how this relationship is moving along, and I keep close to God for direction and that my heart is in the right place and not just wanting to add another person to our church roll. Her mother is a former student of mine and is also a nurse. The latter has expressed appreciation for the welcome that they have received from our church. She has started coming to one of our women’s Bible Studies this spring.
4. In what context are we told that the Spirit is jealous over us?
In the context of how we relate to the world and its pleasures or enticements.
5. 6. Can you find the gospel in this section?
V. 6 Grace is greater than what I deserve.
I love your careful consideration of the request for baptism. Praying for discernment for you.
I agree with Chris!
Bing, What a sweet story about your growing relationship with this young teen. Praying for God to give you wisdom and discernment on the baptism. She is blessed to have your for an mentor.
2. Make ten observations.
People are quarreling and fighting.
James proposes that the fighting comes from evil within us.
He says we want what we don’t have.
We are jealous.
We don’t have what we want because we don’t ask God for it.
We have wrong motives. We want for the wrong reasons.
We are adulterers to God.
Friends of the world mean we are enemies of God.
The scriptures have meaning.
God gives grace to the humble.
3. What two reasons are given for not receiving from God in prayer?
Our motives are wrong and we want what gives us pleasure.
4. Share a recent answered prayer — did it pass the above two stumbling blocks?
I would say yes, because I prayed for my nasty boss to have a successful brain surgery today. It does me no good to have her have a successful surgery, as she will (maybe) continue to inflict nastiness on me, but I can’t imagine being in her shoes with having a third brain surgery and I do want her to be well. She is a child of God.
5. In what context are we told that the Spirit is jealous over us?
God is passionate for us. He doesn’t want us to want the world more than Him.
6. Can you find the gospel in this section?
We are saved by grace.
Oh, Laura, indeed you are praying for someone who has hurt you. Praise God he has our backs when we are mistreated. I love your way of putting things.
It was not easy…
Oh, dear Laura, I will pray for your boss, and her recovery from brain surgery. That is so sad. I pray that God will heal her physically and mentally. She must be carrying a lot of stress about her illness. I pray she comes to know Jesus.
Thanks Patti, of course I want her to be well; this has been a reoccurring adventure for her. This is the third time in her life. But, I cannot deny hoping the surgery changes her attitude. Ugh. I’m SO human.
Laura, I think it was CS Lewis who said, pain is God’s megaphone. Watch for an opportunity to speak to this woman about the Lord. He may have a plan to use you, and probably already has. ❤️
Sunday:
Share a way the Lord has been with you this week.
God kept me from doing something I’d regret for the rest of my life. It just reminded me that He’s forever present with me and His thoughts to me are precious even if I’m making the wrong choices.
It is good to see you here, dear Eunice. You are so wise to listen to the Lord, when something tempting came along. The enemy is very clever, that is why it is so important to stay in God’s Word.
So good Eunice!
Amen, Eunice. ♥️
Sunday:
Share a way the Lord has been with you this week.
God kept me from doing something I’d regret for the rest of my life. It just reminded me that He’s forever present with me and His thoughts to me are precious even if I’m making the wrong choices.
So good Eunice!
Sunday:
Share a way the Lord has been with you this week.
God kept me from doing something I’d regret for the rest of my life. It just reminded me that He’s forever present with me and His thoughts to me are precious even if I’m making the wrong choices.
Oh, Eunice. So good to see you here again. Praise God, he is with you always and has kept you from something you do not want to do. Praying for the Lord to be very close to you, like a brother. May you be close to him and trust him with your whole heart. Praying the enemy will be stopped in his tracks and flee from you. Praise the Lord you are safe in him. ❤️🙏🏻
Amen to Chris’s prayers for you, Eunice. Praying for the Lord to be very close and protect you on all ways.
Tuesday: James 4:7-10
7. List the commands in this passage. Submit to God, resist the devil, draw near to God, cleanse your hands, purify your hearts, be wretched and mourn and weep, let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom (humble yourself).
8. Find the gospel at least twice. 1. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you-echos knock and the door will be opened to you. 2. Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you-Christ has done the work for our salvation, we only need to submit and accept his gift.
9. Let us be still before Him, praying for our hearts with the help of these verses, to trust and obey. Oh, Lord, you are beautiful. Help me to see you more and more and the world less and less. Draw me to you and away from the world. Carry me away with you and help me leave the world behind. Give me the eyes to see the enemy when he is clothed in white and resist him. Help me to wash my hands of the world and be clothed in your light. Help me to trust you when my circumstances look dire and know that you are in control. Keep my trust in you alone, not in money or people or worldly answers, but in you. Give me discernment where I need it for parenting, marriage, health and fellowship with others. May you have all the glory. Amen.
Tuesday: James 4:7-10
7. List the commands in this passage. Submit to God. Resist the devil. Draw near to God. Cease from any evil deeds/thoughts. Mourn for past sin. Let joy turn to sadness (worldly lusts/pleasure/selfish desire be turned into repentaence). Be humble before the Lord. Don’t speak evil of the brethren. Don’t judge each other.
8. Find the gospel at least twice.
9. Let us be still before Him, praying for our hearts with the help of these verses, to trust and obey. Dear Lord, How I thank you for the written Wod, Your love letter to me. You have reached doen to me, to claim me as Your own; I don’t know why, but You did. I have been so convicted this morning by James, dear Lord, by the words You gave Him to write. I have been critical and judgemental in my thoughts. Forgive me, Lord. I need You desperately to remind me and guide me. It’s only through Your power in me, the power of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, that there is victory and lasting peace. Let my life demonstate my love for You by obedience to Your Word and love to all the saints. Let my life be a reflection of Your love to everyone I meet. I am nothing and You are everything. In the precious name of Jesus, I humbly pray, amen.
I like your interpretation of joy (worldly) to sadness (repentance). Your prayer shows your sweet love of your Savior. ❤️
I had never really understood that werse, and usually I just skimmed by it. This time I did a lot of digging before I was led to this interpretation.
Monday: James 4:1-6
2. Make ten observations
—James asks why are there fights and quarrels.
—He identifies the problem is because of evil or sinful desires.
—in wanting what we want but don’t have we are willing to destroy others to get it.
—Jealousy is the cause of fighting and warring with others.
—we don’t have because we don’t ask.
—we ask with wrong motives seeking only our own pleasure
—It is like adultery against God.
—Friendship with the world makes us enemies of God.
—the scriptures speak clearly that God desires faithfulness from us.
—God gives grace generously to the humble
3. What two reasons are given for not receiving from God in prayer?
—Not asking and asking wrongly for selfish and self satisfying reasons.
4. Share a recent answered prayer — did it pass the above two stumbling blocks?
—A really big answer is God selling our house. We asked and He answered. It certainly wasn’t something for us to work out on our own. We needed his direction.
And our reason for asking was because of his direction in our lives. In many ways it would have been more comfortable to just stay where we are but we feel He has reasons for moving us and it isn’t just about what we necessarily would want to make ourselves comfortable.
5. In what context are we told that the Spirit is jealous over us?
—Verse 5 says the Bible makes it clear that God is jealous over and passionate about our spirits being faithful to him.
6. Can you find the gospel in this section?
—This section tells us that God loves us, desires to have us, gives grace generously to us and if we humble ourselves and acknowledge our need and ask He provides generously.
That was a big answer. How did looking for a home in Lincoln go?
We are putting an offer on a townhome today. Thankfully my husband is a detail and paperwork kind of person. Our realtor is a really great gal. Very efficient and a sweet Christian. We’ll see where God takes it from here.
How exciting Bev. Praying that God is opening doors to all line up to His plan.
Praying for your offer on your townhome, Bev. I love how you always depend on the Lord’s leading. 🙏❤️
Reason for moving is not about making us comfortable-I like that.
Sunday:
1. Share a way the Lord has been with you this week. – I’ve been very tired lately and on Sunday I really didn’t want to go to church. But I felt God telling me, get up and go. You need to support John (our lead Pastor was gone on vacation). John is a retired pastor of many years and is in our Life Group. So, we got up and went. What a blessing it was. Our Director of Worship had some fun with the announcement slides and John did a wonderful job picking up where Pastor Joel left off. It reminds me that though I am weary or tired God will give me the nudge I need so I continue to see his goodness in others.
Great testimony, Julie.
Monday: James 4:1-6
2. Make ten observations. – 1. We fight and quarrel amongst each other. 2. We kill and covet because we want something. 3. We don’t ask God for things. 4. We ask God with the wrong motives, so we do not receive. 5. We are an adulterous group of people. 6. Friendship with the world is hatred toward God. 7. If we are friends of the world, we are an enemy of God. 8. God opposes the proud. 9. He gives us grace. 10. He humbles us
3. What two reasons are given for not receiving from God in prayer? – We don’t ask God for what we want and when we do ask our motives need to be right in order to receive from God. If we are using our wants for our own pleasure, we will not receive.
4. Share a recent answered prayer — did it pass the above two stumbling blocks? – I have been praying for my grandson Logan for a long time. He’s had some struggles (he’s 13) with anger and his emotions. I’ve also prayed for him and his dad, my son Kyle to have a better relationship. Logan has been on various meds for his moods and recently was taken off at least one of them. Kyle is saying he is a brand-new kid that they now have to get used to having around. In the past, they would approach him with caution as they did not know who would answer them and now, they are saying he has more joy and peace and joins in with the rest of the family. What a huge answer to prayer for Logan and for Kyle. I’m so happy to know that next time I see Logan, I won’t ‘recognize’ him. Thank you, Jesus!
5. In what context are we told that the Spirit is jealous over us? – I see in vs 5 that it mentions envy, but in this verse, in my NIV version spirit is lower case, so I checked my notes and it says that “the spirit he caused to live in us” refers to God’s creation of man and that because of the fall, man’s spirit envies intensely. But God’s grace is able to overcome man’s envy. On the other side of that, my notes go on to say that “God jealously longs for the spirit that he made to live in us.” I can see either of these being right. I’ll look to see what others say.
6. Can you find the gospel in this section? – I think it shows that vs 6 that God gives us more grace than we have envy and though he opposes the proud the grace he gives us is to humble us and see that it’s all him.
Wonderful answer to prayer!
Julie, So thankful for the great answer to prayer for Logan and Kyle. Praise God.
Such a wonderful answer to your prayer!
Wow — wonderful about Logan.
In love hearing about Logan!
Tuesday: James 4:7-10
7. List the commands in this passage. – Submit ourselves to God; resist the devil; come near to God; wash our hands and purify our hearts from sin; don’t be double minded; grieve, mourn and wail (repent); change our laughter to mourning, our joy to gloom; humble ourselves before the Lord.
8. Find the gospel at least twice. Vs 8 come near to God, and he will come near to you. Vs 9 grieve, mourn and wail or repent. Vs 10 Humble ourselves before the Lord and he will lift us up.
9. Let us be still before Him, praying for our hearts with the help of these verses, to trust and obey. – Lord, help me to grieve, mourn and wail so my heart can be cleansed, and I can come to you with a clean heart. Help me to always humble myself before you and help me Lord to resist the devil so I can be near you and you near me. I want to always be walking with you. In your mighty name I pray, amen.
WEDNESDAY James 4:11-12 obeying the law of love
10. Make 5 observations.
1. Christians should not speak evil against one another (or anyone). 2. Speaking against a brother is judging the person and the law. 3. If you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge-trying to be in the place of God. 4. There is only one law giver and judge-the Lord almighty, who is able to save and destroy. 5. Who am I to judge my neighbor?
11. How does slander or speaking against a brother go against the law of love? We are not loving another if we do not consider whether that one may have right motive in their actions just because it is different from ours. To speak poorly against someone to others is slander. We must go to a person in love & humility and speak our hearts desire for them to be right with God in order to show love. Slander only shows our concern for ourselves. “To break God’s commands is to speak evil of them and to judge them, as if they laid to great a restraint on us.” Matthew Henry’s concise commentary.
12. Make 5 observations on Proverbs 6:16-19. What parallels do you see with this passage? 1. Six things the Lord hates, 7 are an abomination. 2. Haughty eyes and a lying tongue. 3. Murder of the innocent. 4. Heart that devises wicked plans. 5. Feet that run to evil. 6. A false witness 7. One who sows discord among brothers.
Pride is the bottom line. We think we know better or care for ourselves more than others. We choose to serve ourselves and lift ourselves up above others and the Lord, who has given us life.
13. In the book of Acts, there is public confrontation of Peter by Paul, but it is a central concern of the gospel. Do you remember what it was and the result? I did not remember, but looked it up. Dee, I believe you are referring to Galatians 2:11-14, where Paul opposes Peter “to his face.” Peter had the dream recorded in Acts 10, that Gentiles were to be accepted and in Acts 15 the Jerusalem Council concluded that Gentiles do not need to follow the laws of Moses. So when Peter is living among the Gentiles and the circumcision party shows up and he retreats out of fear-this is hypocrisy. His faith is to be by grace through faith in Christ alone, not by works of the law -Gal. 2:20. Galatians 5:13-15 really sums up this teaching-“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.”
14. How might you apply this teaching from James and Proverbs? One memory stands out from COVID days. Our church was divided about wearing masks and keeping distance in worship, etc. I contacted one member of our children’s worship team about serving and she was harsh to me about meeting in person. I remember acknowledging that if she felt called to stay away and worship from home that was her choice, but I wanted her to accept my choice in love. She did not. Our church fell apart and it was sad. Truly, it was about loving one another (or not) in many ways. Currently, I have much to think about between my husband and I regarding how to love him best. It is hard. We have much in common with our faith/beliefs, but often a different perspective on things. Sometimes this issue of perspective can cause division and I am learning to hold my thoughts and pray.
That’s a sad story. Looking back I think many may realize more grace was needed curing Covid.
Chris, I am having similar problems with my husband. This study in James has helped. I also am praying more instead of speaking out.
Chris, I can see myself in your answer to 14 regarding your husband. I too have to step back and keep quiet when I don’t agree with him on something.
Chris, COVID was hard on our church. I agree with Dee that, looking back, many may realize that more grace was needed during that time.
Tuesday: James 4:7-10
7. List the commands in this passage.
—Submit to God
—Resist the devil
—Draw near to God and cleanse your life and purify your heart
—Grieve over your sin
—Humble yourself before the Lord
The gospel according to Dee:
“We must realize we are without hope. We cannot do it ourselves. We are so bad it took the death of Christ to pay for our sin, yet so loved that He did it.”
8. Find the gospel at least twice.
—I must draw near to God and humble myself before Him. I need Him. I can do nothing without him.
—I must confess I am a sinner and have a broken heart over my sin.
—In response He will “exalt” save me.
I read in “My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers this morning that we must reconcile ourselves to the fact of sin. He said “Not being reconciled to the fact that sin exists is what produces all the disasters in life”. And he instructed us to “Always beware of an estimate of human nature that doesn’t take the existence of sin into account. Jesus Christ never trusted human nature, yet he was never cynical, never suspicious. He trusted absolutely in what God could do.”
Loved the Oswald Chambers quotes. Thanks Bev.
Amen to Julie. Love those verses, Bev.
Wednesday: James 4:11-12 -Obeying the Law of Love
10. Make 5 observations. 1, Don’t speak evil (slander) one another 2. He/she who slanders another slanders the law (Word of God) 3. Judging another is judging the Word of God 4. There is one lawgiver (judge) who is able to save and destroy 5. Who are you that judges someone else?
11. How does slander or speaking against a brother go against the law of love? Slander chooses to set aside the law of love to hurt someone else and gain favor for yourself (attention, support, etc.)
12. Make 5 observations on Proverbs 6:16-19. What parallels do you see with this passage? The LORD hates: 1. A proud look (pride) 2. A lying tongue (lies, dishonesty) a false witness 3. hands that shed innocent blood 4. A heart that plans wicked plots and quick to carry them out 5. The person that sows discord among brethren (causing arguments, division, etc.)
One parallel is that the list in Proverbs is what can produce the slander James talks about. Pride, lies, false witness, killing, causing mischief/discord all involve judgeing leading to slander.
13. In the book of Acts, there is public confrontation of Peter by Paul, but it is a central concern of the gospel.
Okay, Dee, remembering-not looking it up, you are stretching me here. Peter had accepted Paul’s ministy to the Gentiles and agreed with James that they needn’t follow all the Mosaic laws/customs. Peter also had had the vision/experience with Cornelius, that God accepted ALL true believers. I don’t remember where, yikes!, but Peter arrived in a city where Paul was ministering and separated himself from the Gentile believers (dissimulation). Peter fellowshipped only with Jewish believers. Paul publically reprimanded Peter for his hypocrisy.
14. How might you apply this teaching from James and Proverbs? My application is to be more careful of my thoughts, wods, and actions.
James 4: 7-10
7. List the commands in this passage.
Submit to God. Resist the devil. Draw near to God. Cleanse my hands, spiritual cleansing. Purify my heart; have a change of heart. Repent from all sin and mourn over my trespasses. Humble yourself before God.
8. Find the gospel at least twice.
Submit my entire self to God and His will. Purify and change your earthly heart by living for Him, instead of myself.
9. Let us be still before Him, praying for our hearts with the help of these verses, to trust and obey.
‘Dear Lord God, Creator of all the Universe, I love You and desire to serve You alone with all my life. I mourn how my sinful nature has hurt you and others, I ask Your forgiveness. I pray that You will anoint me with Your Holy Spirit, and strengthen my trust in You. Help me to put You first in my life and to obey Your commandments. Help me to be content with Your will only for my life. In the Name of Jesus, I pray.
Wednesday: James 4:11-12 – Obeying the Law of Love
Slander! I have been guilty of exaggerating a genuine grievance to get sympathy from another. That’s slander. That’s a high bar that I have at times missed.
I also am convicted by “stirring up dissension among brothers.” I am listening to a biography of George Whitfield. He and John Wesley were once close but argued fiercely about Whitfield’s belief in election and Wesley’s belief that it was possible to reach sinless perfection. Then Wesley wrote a letter to circulate about what he saw as blasphemy in Whitfield’s theology of election. Whitfield pleaded with Wesley to be silent about these peripheral matters, but he was not, and it caused division among many brothers.
10. Make 5 observations. – Do not slander; Speaking against or judging others, speaks against the law and judges it; When you judge the law you aren’t keeping the law; There is only one Lawgiver and Judge; This one Lawgiver and Judge is the one able to save and destroy.
11. How does slander or speaking against a brother go against the law of love? – When we slander or speak against someone, we are taking what God created as perfect and saying it’s not. It makes me think of Psalm 139:14 ‘I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made’. Like James 4:12 says at the end, ‘But you–who are you to judge your neighbor?’
12. Make 5 observations on Proverbs 6:16-19. What parallels do you see with this passage? – God hates a lying tongue; A heart that devises wicked schemes; Feet that are quick to rush into evil; A false witness who pours out lies; A man who stirs up dissension among brothers. God clearly shows us here that he hates those who go against loving others. Statement after statement is saying this in these few verses.
13. In the book of Acts, there is public confrontation of Peter by Paul, but it is a central concern of the gospel. Do you remember what it was and the result? – When I searched for this to read up on it, I didn’t see Acts referenced, but I do see it in Galatians 2:11-14. Paul confronts Peter and rebukes him on how as a Jew he is living like a Gentile so for him to then make the Gentiles live likes the Jews is hypocritical.
14. How might you apply this teaching from James and Proverbs? – I need to search myself and make sure I’m living and speaking in the way Jesus would want me to be. I need to not be judgmental or slanderous. I need to be lifting others up and encouraging them to seek the Gospel. Oh, I have some work to do for sure.
Tuesday: James 4:7-10
1. List the commands in this passage.
Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil. Come near to God. Wash your hands. Purify your hearts. Grieve, mourn, and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before God.
2. Find the gospel at least twice.
Wow, Dee! I have not thought of these verses as the gospel. Mourning and gloom are words to acknowledge my sinfulness and need for humility before the Lord. I am invited (the gospel) to come near to God. The washing of hands points to actions, and purifying hearts points to the condition of the heart—these call for humility on my part.
3. Let us be still before Him, praying for our hearts with the help of these verses, to trust and obey.
Lord, thank you for what you are showing me here in James. I am once again reminded that all I have and do is pure grace and mercy from you. May I recognize sin for what it is and mourn for it. May I submit to you and resist the devil. Heighten my senses to your righteous ways and to trust and obey you.
Wednesday: James 4:11-12 -Obeying the Law of Love
Slander! I have been guilty of exaggerating a genuine grievance to get sympathy from another. That’s slander. That’s a high bar that I have at times missed.
I also am convicted by “stirring up dissension among brothers.” I am listening to a biography of George Whitfield. He and John Wesley were once close but argued fiercely about Whitfield’s belief in election and Wesley’s belief that it was possible to reach sinless perfection. Then Wesley wrote a letter to circulate about what he saw as blasphemy in Whitfield’s theology of election. Whitfield pleaded with Wesley to be silent about these peripheral matters, but he was not, and it caused division among many brothers.
4. Make 5 observations.
We are admonished not to criticize our brothers and sisters.
We become a judge or somebody defaming another.
We judge the law when we criticize others.
There is only one lawgiver and judge. This One can save and destroy.
So guilty! And some days I don’t even say my criticism out loud, but still harbor it in my heart.
5. How does slander or speaking against a brother go against the law of love?
I think of I Corinthians 13 as it enumerates what love is. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
6. Make 5 observations on Proverbs 6:16-19. What parallels do you see with this passage?
These verses from Proverbs talk about actions that come from a heart of pride and not seeking to love and honor another person, and only thinking of their harm.
7. In the book of Acts, there is public confrontation of Peter by Paul, but it is a central concern of the gospel. Do you remember what it was and the result?
8. Dee, was this about Peter in Antioch withdrawing himself from the Gentile believers when some strict Jews came to visit? And the result was division in the early church.
9. How might you apply this teaching from James and Proverbs?
Lord, that I would not give in to the temptation of slander or causing dissension among my brothers and sisters. Keep the meditations of my heart to be pleasing to you so that from it would come words and actions that would do the same. I ask for your wisdom on what to do or say if I am being pulled into conversations of slander or dissension. Give me discernment, and may I remember what I have learned here about the use of my tongue. Help me not to major on the “minor” things and cause dissension, or, according to Whitfield, “to be silent about these peripheral matters”.
Yes, Bing, that’s right.
7. List the commands in this passage.
Humble yourselves before God.
Resist the devil.
Come close to God.
Wash your hands sinners.
Purify your hearts.
Let there be tears, and deep grief.
8. Find the gospel at least twice.
Verses 8 and 10? Come close to God, and humble yourselves.
I have been following the blog even though I haven’t been commenting much. I need to get back to participating part since this is pretty much the only bible study that I’m in and I need honest feedback.
I won’t be able to post all the answers, but I’ll do the best that I can.
Love to see you here, Dawn ❤️
Always love your participation, Dawn!
It is always so good to see you here, Dawn, even if just to say “hi”.🙏❤️
I’m in the same boat, Dawn. my life is surely hectic these days. I’m trying to keep up, but I am doing another Bible study reading the Bible in a whole year and I’m trying to study with ladies at my church to help us understand about women preaching in the church. So I’m in three different places, and it’s a lot if I include the kids and just regular life!
Thursday: James 4:13-17
15. Make five observations.
1. We boast about tomorrow, but know not what tomorrow will bring. 2. We are but a mist. 3. We should consider all in light of the Lord’s will for us. 4. Boasting in arrogance is evil. 5. Failing to do the right thing is sin, for the one who knows.
16. What connection is James making about our life being a mist and not boasting about what we will do tomorrow?
Seems to me he is connecting our world view with our actions. We need to keep an eternal world view in order to align our actions with our faith.
17. Meditate on verse 17. So often we see a holy life as abstaining from certain sins. What does this say? How does the Lord speak to you specifically about this?
This is where I think I am feeling the need for a spiritual retreat on a regular basis. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant but just a bit of time alone with the Lord where I can reflect on my life and what the Lord would want of me. Life can be so BUSY and with good things, but is my heart right? Are there things I need to repent of? Is there a place in my life the Lord wants me to grow? Am I watching for Him in my day to day?? Do I hear Him?
My son is at that age where he talks 24/7 and he feels the need to be at my side 24/7. In addition there are distractions everywhere. It makes it tough to have that alone time with God. Someone said it takes 20 minutes to start worshipping God-to clear our minds of all the TO DO’S. To settle and relax enough to be ready to worship and then to take the time in the word and prayer. I would love to develop a time away from my home where the distractions are many. I have brought the idea up to my daughter, of trading days and kids. I’m finding it tough to carve out the time, but I think it would be so enriching.
Interesting about time to settle our minds!
I’m loving Linda Andersen’s book on spiritual retreats. One quote she has in her book is from Metchtild of Magdeburg, “God leads the child He has called in wonderful ways. He takes the soul to a secret place, for He alone will play with it in a game of which the body knows nothing.” She goes on to say, “…solitude is an empty black hole in America. It virtually doesn’t exist. We are too busy making something happen, so we don’t need to step back and see where we’ve come from and where we’re going. We mostly want to clap our hands over our ears and shut out the bleeping noise of our pasts and the niggling questions of our futures. And so we up the pace. And we pay counselors to do the work solitude would be glad to do.”
Thanks for sharing this quote from Andersen, Chris. “We are too busy making something happen, so we don’t need to step back and see where we’ve come from and where we’re going. We mostly want to clap our hands over our ears and shut out the bleeping noise of our pasts and the niggling questions of our futures. And so we up the pace. And we pay counselors to do the work solitude would be glad to do.”
I understand, Chris. I, too, need to settle so I can think and focus more clearly. So hard when you have little ones.
10. Make 5 observations.
1)Do not speak against one another; 2)do not judge one another; 3)when I speak against another or judge another, I become a judge of the law and not a doer of the law, myself. 4)There is only one judge and lawgiver and it is not me. 5) God is the Only One who is able to save and destroy….It is not my job
11. How does slander or speaking against a brother go against the law of love?
Both of these sins are totally in opposition Galatians 5:22. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control; against such things there is no law.” And John 17:23 “I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have Loved Me. We do not represent our Lord well, when we speak against a brother. These verses are so convicting to me.
12. Make 5 observations on Proverbs 6:16-19. What parallels do you see with this passage?
There are 7 things which are an abomination to the Lord: Haughty eyes (pride), dishonesty, violence (harming another), a heart that has wicked intentions, being eager to do evil, one who lies, one who stirs up conflict . All these things go against the teachings of God. They are a slap in the face to the Lord. These are all things that are prideful and do nothing to glorify God.
13. In the book of Acts, there is public confrontation of Peter by Paul, but it is a central concern of the gospel. Do you remember what it was and the result?
I had to look this up, Dee. I had totally forgotten this…. In Antioch, Peter had been eating with the Gentiles, but withdrew when the Jewish traditionalists arrived, in order to avoid their scorn. Paul rebuked Peter (in Acts) for his hypocrisy in his behavior, because it contradicted his earlier words and actions. It also compromised the gospel and caused problems. I could not find where it was resolved. Peter was always trying to walk the line….
14. How might you apply this teaching from James and Proverbs?
All of these things cause division and do harm to the Gospel. I do not like conflict or confrontation, and I could see myself fleeing from a situation. How I pray that I stay strong in the Lord. I am so flawed! Lord, help me to reflect your Word in my thoughts, words and actions.
I agree, conflict is hard. It is almost harder though, to live with strife and this is what drives me to resolve conflict. I want peace.
Oh I so get it with conflict. I have a dilemma with my church now that meets in my home. I already cried and lost my temper with someone on the steering committee — NOT GOOD!
Dee, I am seeing conflict in absolutely every church we have associations with right now and I am hearing here on the blog troubles in many of the churches represented here. I do believe our enemy is working feverishly against the people of God and the hindrance of the Gospel. I empathize with your crying and losing your temper. As Patti said we are so flawed. Boy do we need Jesus and his grace poured out on us.
Conflict. The word often sends shivers down my spine. It is hard, and I don’t like it. My initial response is often to flee! Or to pacify. I can see myself being frustrated and crying, too.
Patti, Good reminders from Galatians and John 17.
“Peter was always trying to walk the line….” So true about Peter
and oh yes Patti, I am so flawed too. 🥴
So true, Bev.
What church will you make home in Lincoln?
Thursday: James 4:13-17
15. Make five observations. 1. Boasting about plans for the future (success, wealth, etc) as if you can control it, is folly. 2. Life is like a vapour, appearing and then quickly vanishes. 3. You ought to say. “If the Lord” wills or allows it, you can do this or that (acknowledge that He is in control). 4. It is evil (wrong) to boast about plans to get riches (proud, self-sufficient). 5. If you know of something you could do that helps/encourages someone, and you don’t do it, that is sin.
16. What connection is James making about our life being a mist and not boasting about what we will do tomorrow? The connection is that we don’t even know if we will be alive tommorow (life like mist vanishes quickly). Boasting about all our plans is folly/presumptious.
17. Meditate on verse 17. So often we see a holy life as abstaining from certain sins. What does this say? How does the Lord speak to you specifically about this?
James has already said “Be doers of the word and not hearers only deceiving yourselves,” “faith without works is dead,” and now he goes a step further. Knowing that you COULD be doing something good, helpful, encouraging, and NOT doing it, is sin. It’s essential that we follow the Holy Spirit’s leading when prompted to do anything. Ignoring a person’s need when I can do something, quenching that impulse/compassion, leads to a hard heart.
Ignoring a person’s need when I can do something, quenching that impulse/compassion, leads to a hard heart.
Yes! How often I have quenched an impulse. I had a friend recently say, she would not quench the desire to give someone affection who she knew needed it any longer. It is not hard to give a hug or send a card or even just say a kind word. This is so important to building relationships. I find myself desiring to send cards more and more to those I hear going through hard circumstances. Maybe a phone call or a text is easier sometimes.
WOW FROM CHERYL:
Ignoring a person’s need when I can do something, quenching that impulse/compassion, leads to a hard heart.
Cheryl, I, too, was struck by this sentence: Ignoring a person’s need when I can do something, quenching that impulse/compassion, leads to a hard heart. I needed an attitude check yesterday as I was tired, but I had asked a young person to meet with me. She comes across as needy in our past conversations, and I was tempted to cancel (quenching compassion). Thankful God worked in my heart, and I went and met with her at our church. We had a good time together, and I got to know her a little bit more.
Friday: James and the Gospel
18. How would you answer the criticism that James advocates salvation by works?
To me, it goes back to chapter 4, verse 17. Whoever knows the right thing to do….this means we are in the Word and in prayer. When we truly know God, we know his heart and that he loves us and THEN we choose to love him and others. James gets this. He grew up with Jesus and didn’t get it until after the resurrection. When we question the law, we say to God, “This is too hard for me. I will do as I please.” We are putting ourselves above God. God’s law boils down to 2 commandments, love God and love people. The law is about relationship. I tried to talk to my son about this last night. He has been challenging my authority for as long as I can remember. I told him he is not loving me well when he does this. He argued that he did love me. I said, show me and obey. This is the same with the Lord. If we love him, we will obey in our actions. Our obedience is not just compliance to the rule, but loving affection to the rule maker and his creation. So we care for him and our relationship with him as well as all creation. This is a big task that we can begin with our relationship with him. Once we know him and love him well, our actions will follow. This requires time in the word and prayer.
Such a good analogy. I pray your son gets it.
15. Make five observations. We are not to make definitive statements of our plans. We should acknowledge that our plans are only according to God’s will. We are like a mist and may not even be here tomorrow. When you say things like I WILL do this or nothing’s going to stop me, you’re being arrogant and that is a sin. If you know something is right and you don’t do it, it is sin.
16. What connection is James making about our life being a mist and not boasting about what we will do tomorrow? Mist is one of the most temporary things there is. We cannot boast about what we will do tomorrow, because we don’t even know if we’ll be here tomorrow.
17. Meditate on verse 17. So often we see a holy life as abstaining from certain sins. What does this say? How does the Lord speak to you specifically about this? This clearly says sin is not only doing what you’re not supposed to, but not doing what you should.
Most people think that to live a life of no regrets is to do things that you really want to do. To me, this verse is saying if I want to live a life with truly no regrets then not only must I refrain from doing evil, but I must do what is good as well. I need to listen to the Spirit when it is telling me to do something. I sometimes fail in that area. I’m never free of sin, unfortunately!
Good thoughts Dawn, So true about mist. It evaporates quickly.
Dawn, this stood out to me from what you shared: “but I must do what is good as well.” Some days, I want to be free from thinking of how to serve others. Ugh! You are right: “I’m never free of sin, unfortunately!” When it comes to doing good, I start thinking, what’s in it for me? Are they deserving? No, it takes too much time. I am too tired. I don’t want to be involved, etc, etc. God, help!
I think that the older we get the easier it is to fall into this mindset. I used to wonder how so many people after long lives of following the Lord could fall away (both in the bible and modern times). Now I understand. We need to pray for ourselves and our brothers and sisters that the Spirit is strengthened and renewed in us every day.
2 Corinthians 4: 16 speaks to this Dawn. Joni Erickson Tada quoted this verse again on social media this week-as we age, we get weary physically and it seems emotionally, yet the word says we can be renewed! “So we do not lose heart. Though our outward self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” You are right! We need to pray. I pray today for each of us here on the blog to be renewed in our spirit for the Lord’s work.
Thank you for the reminder to pray and not lose heart. Love that verse, Chris, that Joni shared. We can be renewed day by day.
Wednesday: James 4:11-12 -Obeying the Law of Love
Slander! I have been guilty of exaggerating a genuine grievance to get sympathy from another. That’s slander. That’s a high bar that I have at times missed.
I also am convicted by “stirring up dissension among brothers.” I am listening to a biography of George Whitfield. He and John Wesley were once close but argued fiercely about Whitfield’s belief in election and Wesley’s belief that it was possible to reach sinless perfection. Then Wesley wrote a letter to circulate about what he saw as blasphemy in Whitfield’s theology of election. Whitfield pleaded with Wesley to be silent about these peripheral matters, but he was not, and it caused division among many brothers.
—What an interesting account about Whitefield and Wesley. And how sad. It would seem Wesley defeated his own point of sinless perfection in his sin against Whitefield.
10. Make 5 observations.
Don’t speak bad about others.
If you criticize and judge others you are criticizing and judging God’s law.
We are to obey God’s law and not decide whether it applies to us.
God alone is the Judge of everyone.
I have no right to judge my neighbor.
11. How does slander or speaking against a brother go against the law of love?
—Love is always looking out for the best interests of others.
12. Make 5 observations on Proverbs 6:16-19. What parallels do you see with this passage?
—God hates or detests (both are strong words) certain attitudes and actions toward others. He specifically lists these things. It begins with a prideful haughty attitude and a lying tongue which serves a person’s own ends.
Hands that murder the innocent come out of a heart that plots evil and hurriedly moves to do wrong.
A false witness speaks lies and it is the tongue that speaks in ways that causes discord in a family.
—The parallel is in the use of the tongue. James clearly says don’t speak evil against your brothers and sisters. In doing so you go against God’s law of loving others as ourselves. We have to leave others lives in God’s hands. He alone knows their hearts and He alone holds the right to judge them. Proverbs points out God detests a lying tongue and causing discord among family members which would include the family of God.
13. In the book of Acts, there is public confrontation of Peter by Paul, but it is a central concern of the gospel. Do you remember what it was and the result?
—Peter had been clearly instructed by the Holy Spirit in a vision that God had said all foods were clean for eating and was showing full acceptance of the Gentiles into the family of God. Peter had then gone and against Hebrew tradition spent time and ate with Gentile believers who were considered unclean by the Jews. Later Peter succumbed to peer pressure by staunch traditionalists Jews and stopped including and eating with Gentile believers. Paul confronted Peter publicly of the wrongness and how it hindered the freedom of the Gospel in going out to all mankind Jew and Gentile alike.
14. How might you apply this teaching from James and Proverbs?
—Frankly it hits home. I have a particular situation involving the new pastor at our home church which we have been part of for many years. There was a rush on the part of our leadership to find and call a new pastor. In doing so they found a man who they basically told us was the next pastor for us. A number of us had strong reservations about his credentials and even his preaching was not what we were comfortable with. Our leadership manipulated the circumstances for voting and called him quickly to become our pastor. Now after 6 months our reservations about him have only increased. The hardest thing has been to keep quiet and not speak criticism and make judgements. And it would have been easy to stir up discord among the members of our church and even in our own family. Even here I could make a case against the man and some of you would say “Oh my that isn’t good!” So I personally have failed in criticizing and judging him to some people we are close with in the church and confess my need to listen to God’s instructions here in this teaching. We are trying to just have a wait and see attitude about what God would do in the church. For us personally now God is moving us out of this community and we will be removed from the situation which is actually a good thing. God knew and knows the timing. It still is a big concern and a matter of prayer. And the instruction from God’s Word is to keep quiet and not sow any discord. It is never easy. I see more than ever the importance of being in the Word every day to be reminded and encouraged in my personal walk.
Such a hard situation, Bev, that has created so much strife and hard feelings. It seems to me that you and some others were spiritually discerning and not so much judgemental in your original hesitation about this man. Time will tell, and I pray the Lord gives everyone at your church more grace in the days ahead.
Bev, that is a hard situation. Yes to this: I see more than ever the importance of being in the Word every day to be reminded and encouraged in my personal walk.
Oh Bev — I can understand the pain. You are so wise not to stir up discord. They are reaping what they sowed, and can pray will learn.
Thursday: James 4:13-17
15. Make five observations.
He says “Look here!” In other words pay attention.
Those who make claims about what their future plans don’t know what life will be like tomorrow.
Life is short. Very very short.
We need to recognize Gods sovereignty over our lives.
Boasting about our own plans is wrong and it is sin when we know what God would have us do and then not do it.
16. What connection is James making about our life being a mist and not boasting about what we will do tomorrow?
—We can only live today because life is short and no one knows if they will be alive tomorrow. Death comes too soon for everyone. Making claims for the future is playing God when we should acknowledge we will only live and do life if He wills it.
17. Meditate on verse 17. So often we see a holy life as abstaining from certain sins. What does this say? How does the Lord speak to you specifically about this?
—There are things that should characterize our lives that dictate what our proper actions should be. Failing to practice good works that God lays out before us is sin against Him and his will for our lives.
In the above verses James exhorts us to not brag about our own plans for life and our own profit but rather to not sin by failing to live today well for the Lord according to His plans.
“…but rather to not sin by failing to live today well for the Lord according to His plans.” Failing to live TODAY well for the Lord, how often I waste time in meaningless activities during the day. I fear that I am failing to live in the way the Lord would want me to live,
Cheryl, I think we are all drawn into activities that we question. Certainly, some are meant to relax and calm our minds and this is valuable. We do not need to always be “productive”. Our society is bent on accomplishing things. Activity also has value when we just spend time marveling at his creation or contemplating his word and having fun with others in relationship building games or conversation. Solitary games can be good for our soul as well. As moms, grandmas, we can be torn about responsibilities and fun activities. It is difficult to balance, but this summer I am leaning towards frivolous fun times with my kids and building memories.
Thursday: James 4:13-17
1. Make five observations.
We do not know what will happen tomorrow. Life is short, like a mist that appears a little while and vanishes. Say instead if the Lord wills. Boasting and bragging are evil. We sin when we know the good to do and don’t do it.
2. What connection is James making about our life being a mist and not boasting about what we will do tomorrow?
A mist is short-lived. I kind of rabbit-trailed and looked up the meaning of mist. I found out that a mist (weather-wise) can last for a few seconds or a few hours, depending on several factors. So is life; you never know what will come next, moment by moment, let alone tomorrow.
17. Meditate on verse 17. So often we see a holy life as abstaining from certain sins. What does this say? How does the Lord speak to you specifically about this?
This means that when the Spirit convicts me of something that I need to do and don’t do it, I sin against God. I often withhold the truth from people because I am afraid it will cause them pain. I know God does not give us a spirit of fear but of power. And I also know that my pride has kept me from doing what I am supposed to do. Lord, help me trust and obey you.
Friday: James and the Gospel
18. How would you answer the criticism that James advocates salvation by works?
—James is not promoting works as a means to get right with God. He is in fact addressing the heart needs of sinners and pointing out our need for God because left to ourselves we serve ourselves and our own interests. If we humble ourselves and seek his wisdom he generously gives grace and from the heart we will love and serve Him. Our acts will then reveal our hearts and will be proof of our salvation.
Well put!
Friday: James and the Gospel
18. How would you answer the criticism that James advocates salvation by works?
The book of James was written to Christians; that means that the letter’s recipient understood the way to salvation is through faith in Christ. Righteousness was credited to them by faith because they acted and believed. Abraham’s example of offering Isaac ( chapter 2 v. 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
True faith will always be followed by actions. And James, in 5 short chapters, wrote about how we should act as a result of our faith: How to deal with trials and temptations. How to treat one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. How to use our tongue. Submitting to God. Instructions to the rich. Praying for others.
10. Make 5 observations.
Don’t speak evil against each other.
If you criticize each other you are criticizing God.
Your job is to obey the law of God.
God is the judge.
God has the power to save or destroy.
11. How does slander or speaking against a brother go against the law of love?
We are to love everyone. If you speak harshly against another you are not showing love to them.
12. Make 5 observations on Proverbs 6:16-19. What parallels do you see with this passage?
The Lord hates:
haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that kill the innocent,
a heart that plots evil,
feet that race to do wrong,
a false witness that pours out lies,
a person who sows discord in a family.
I guess these are all ways that we can disobey the laws of God.
13. In the book of Acts, there is public confrontation of Peter by Paul, but it is a central concern of the gospel. Do you remember what it was and the result?
I’m not sure, but maybe since Peter is a Jew and Paul is a Roman, is it perhaps that Peter doesn’t think Paul is worthy of being saved, like the Jews were?
14. How might you apply this teaching from James and Proverbs?
We basically should obey the law and God will take care of the rest.
Peter knew what was right, that circumcision wasn’t necessary for salvation, but he succumbed to the pressure and withdrew from the uncircumcised Gentiles. Paul was a Jew too, and told Peter to walk in line with the gospel, which is faith alone.
15. Make five observations.
You do not know what your life will be like from one day to the next.
Life is fleeting.
Do what the Lord wants you to do.
Do not boast.
It is a sin to know right but not do it.
16. What connection is James making about our life being a mist and not boasting about what we will do tomorrow?
It is important to keep in mind the things of Heaven, not of this Earth.
17. Meditate on verse 17. So often we see a holy life as abstaining from certain sins. What does this say? How does the Lord speak to you specifically about this?
We are honoring God by not sinning. We are in awe of Him and trying to obey His wishes. I need to think of Him before I intentionally embark on sinning.
Friday: James and the Gospel
18. How would you answer the criticism that James advocates salvation by works? I prefer to answer this question as though I am speaking to the critic.
I would say, I can understand how you might think that. I, too, was confused by the verse that faith without works is dead, but on further study I realized that James is not talking about salvation. He’s talking to believers who are already saved and is exhorting them to live a life in accordance to godly principles. James is not the only writer who speaks about good works and the believer. Just look at what Jesus spoke about in His earthly ministry and the principles He laid down for godly living. Would you say that Jesus was advocating salvation through our works, just the opposite. Paul says in Titus 2:14 that we have been redeemed to be His own special people, zealous of good works, and in Eph. 2:8-10 we read that we are saved by grace, unto good works that God has planned for us. Good works are the natural product of someone who has been redeemed. Jesus said in John 15 that only as we abide in Him can we do anything good, apart from Him we can do nothing. I’ve said all this only to point out that scripture interprets scripture, and you have to look at things in context. Why don’t we set aside some time to read and study the Bible together?
Very well done, Cheryl!
I agree!
18. How would you answer the criticism that James advocates salvation by works?
I think he is advocating that if you follow God’s way, the best way, you automatically will have good works that come from it. This, in turn, shows your love for God and for others which really is the Gospel.
By the way, why does he end the letter so abruptly? There is no closing and it seems weird to me. He greets Timothy at the beginning with a salutation, so it seems like he should end it too.
Would love to hear thoughts from others on Laura’s observation.
I’m a bit confused by your question because James doesn’t open his letter greeting Timothy. He is writing to Jewish believers scattered abroad. And we have just finished chapter 4 and not the end of the letter. Chapter 5 actually finishes the book of James. In chapter 5 James gives several important admonitions to his “dear brothers and sisters”. 5 times he refers to them that way.
Sorry, I made a mistake in saying Timothy! I have too many studies going on at the moment. Ugh! But, he is still writing to the 12 tribes, as he says in the beginning, but then it just ends with no real closing, like, “I’ll see you soon..”. I did jump ahead to read.
What paraphrase are you using, Laura?
Saturday:
19. What is your God Shot?
—My God shot is that God gives grace generously. Verse 6 says “And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
So as verse 7 says my need is to humble myself before God. I believe an important part of that is my realization of my sinful heart and bent to serve myself. But my hope comes from confessing my sins and drawing close to God and embracing the promise that He will draw close to me. James is clearly promoting the need to have a humble heart before God.
Tara Leigh Cobble said “God loves to draw near to people who know they are sinners.”
I read this and feel like it really applies to what we have been learning here this week.
WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS
There is no allowance whatever in the New Testament for the man who says he is saved by grace but who does not produce the graceful goods. Jesus Christ by His Redemption can make our actual life in keeping with our religious profession.
from Studies in the Sermon on the Mount
I too love Tara’s God loves to draw near to people who know they are sinners.
God loves the broken hearted. So true.
Saturday:
19. What is your God Shot?
It seems to me that the Lord can do amazing work in his children for the kingdom but when we choose to go astray from his law our works in our own hands amount to nothing. We can make a mess of things pretty quickly. The idea of being the branch that remains in the vine stands out to me. James wants his people to follow the law of love and watch their actions reflect the law. Loving God and loving people is a direct outcome of our faith. We cannot have faith without love.
Suppose
If all that we say in a single day,
With never a word left out.
Were printed each night
in clear black and white
‘Twould prove strange reading, no doubt.
And then, just suppose,
‘ere our eyes we could close,
We must read the whole record through;
Then wouldn’t we sigh,
and wouldn’t we try
A great deal less talking to do?
And I more than half think
That many a kink
Would be smoother in life’s tangled thread.
If half that we say in a single day
Were left forever unsaid.
–Author Unknown
I heard Alistair Begg quote this poem and was convicted by some of the words I hear myself speak in a day. Am I loving God and his people well, as I should? Not always. Praying for a more careful tongue.