< James 1 >

James wrote his letter specifically to Jewish Christians who were scattered throughout the Roman empire,v.1James 1:1XWaiting for response and it contains many allusions to Jesus’ teaching on the mount. Matthew 5-7 Some have thought that James taught that works were required rather than faith whereas, like all the apostles, he taught that both faith and works are imperative. He declared that even severe trials which the disciples experienced in those days were valuable in that they proved their faith.vs.2-3James 1:2-3XWaiting for response

At that time, disciples had the Holy Spirit and could pray for the gift of wisdom, for which they were required to ask in faith.vs.5-8James 1:5-8XWaiting for response Today, however, we can only receive wisdom from God by reading his Holy Scriptures.

Those early Jewish disciples were persecuted by their fellow Jews, but James encouraged them with the assurance that those who endured trials would ultimately receive, not a gold medal or a coronal wreath as in the Olympic games, but “a crown of life”.v.12James 1:12XWaiting for response

God proves his people, but he does not tempt them with evil.v.13James 1:13XWaiting for response What really provokes us to do evil is our own sinful flesh. Our fleshly desires move us to sin, and sin brings death.vs.14-15James 1:14-15XWaiting for response In the past men and women have not found it easy to accept this truth and have invented a god of evil, or “Devil”, as the source of temptation and sin. It is vital, however, to understand that it is our own sinful natures that we must fight against and mortify if we are to attain to everlasting life. We are all born like this, but by belief and baptism we can be born again, God having begotten us with his word of truth.v.18James 1:18XWaiting for response Thereafter we must develop characters like his.vs.19-22James 1:19-22XWaiting for response

James emphasised that disciples should not only hear the word of God but also do it.v.22James 1:22XWaiting for response We can look into the word of God, as into a mirror,v.23James 1:23XWaiting for response and see ourselves as he sees us, and it is one of the inestimable benefits of the word that it enables us to know ourselves as we are known by God. 1 Corinthians 13:121 Corinthians 13:12XWaiting for response It is imperative, however, to remember what we are really like and to be doers of God’s work so that he can bless us in our deeds.vs.24-25James 1:24-25XWaiting for response This pure and undefiled religion includes being like the Father in blessing the needy among the disciples and in keeping ourselves pure from the contamination of the world.vs.26-27James 1:26-27XWaiting for response