Hearing and Doing

Background

This book is written by James (The Just), one of Jesus half brothers, between 44-49 AD and sent to the twelve tribes of Israel scattered abroad. Unique in that it was written as practical wisdom. James became a believer after witnessing the resurrection of Christ. His church was established in Jerusalem. The book begins like a letter because it’s being sent to people at a distance. But it is actually not very much like other letters of the time. Known as proverbs of the new testament, it’s a collection of short sayings and slightly longer discussions of practical topics.

James, Simon, Jude (James 2:2 “For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in,” (Assembly was another term for synagogue) 1 Corinthians 15:7 “Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.”

Greeting

James 1:1 “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.”

Lord - Kurios (gr for Master over a Doulos (gr for slave) Jews used Kurios for God as Hellenistic

12 tribes refers to the Jewish people as a whole. Prior to Gentiles Galatians 2:8 “(for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles),”

Joy in Trials

James 1:2–4 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials (testing) of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces Patients hupomone hupo -under, mone remain active endurance) steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Trials revel the faith we have. Faith is tested, it is not produces Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

1432I have looked back to times of trial with a kind of longing, not to have them return, but to feel the strength of God as I have felt it then, to feel the power of faith as I have felt it then, to hang on God’s powerful arm as I hung on it then, and to see God at work as I saw him then.—43.477

Charles Spurgeon

Wisdom

James 1:5–6 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.”

James 1:7–8 “For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

We need wisdom more than knowledge (Knowledge is the ability to take things apart, and Wisdom the ability to put things together

When I pray I pray the promises of God

“do you believe that God can give you wisdom, and that he will do so if you ask him? Then, go at once to him, and say, “Lord, this is what I need. “ Specify your want, state your exact condition. lay the whole case before God with as much orderliness as if you were telling your story to an intelligent friend who was willing to hear it. and prepared to help you:and then say, “Lord, this is specifically what I think I want; and I ask this of thee believing that thou canst give it to me.”

Charles Spurgeon