James by Mike Sullivan (2020)

The Book of James is different than most of the other New Testament books especially in its tone. Other writers of NT letters were balanced between what God has done for us and what we can do for God. James, on the other hand, focuses strongly on what we can do for God. He emphatically urges us to be doers of the Word. He was aware of the extreme need the dispersed believers were experiencing as they fled persecution in Jerusalem. His tone was different also because he was reaching a different audience than other writers. He was urging Jewish Christians to remove cultural barriers to the gospel so that the gospel could reach as many people as possible.

Even though it is disheartening to hear as Christians, we will experience various trial, it is also true we can experience joy in the midst of difficult times. James is telling us the key is where we place our focus. By making a deliberate choice to focus on the attributes of God, His character, His promises, His faithfulness, we will experience joy in the middle of suffering.

When we are in the midst of difficult times, James calls us to realize what a treasure we have in the Word. Trials can lead to temptation to turn away from God's way and toward our own solutions. The Word is not like any other spiritual text, it is the power of God. If we realize what we have in the Word, receive it, and act upon it, then we will be blessed.

Before James exhorts us to meet the needs of the poor, he is careful to remind us of the tremendous value God places on every human being, regardless of any distinguishing features upon which we prefer to to focus. While God shows special concern for the poor, we often don't. James wants us to not merely meet the needs of the poor but to develop the same heart for the poor that God has for the poor.

When people say they have faith yet have no works, can that faith save them? James helps us understand how, even under God's grace, faithful "works" show our relationship with God.

The danger all Christians are susceptible to is being driven primarily by our sin nature. Although we were given a new spiritual nature, our sin nature did not go away at conversion. When we fall in love with the 'kosmos' we are operating in Satan's domain. His value system is designed to lure us away from God. When hearts are more in love with the world than we are in love with Jesus, we are giving in to our sin nature. James, in Chapter Four, explains the greater grace God has given us to combat the pleasures that wars within us. It begins with humbling our hearts and drawing near to a gracious God.

Is James saying it is evil to plan for the future? No, James is not critiquing planning in general, but the over-confident "I will..." statements we often make. It is foolish and arrogant to make such statements for three reasons. We don't know the future; we won't live forever; and God exists. James recommends we learn the whole counsel of God and say "If God wills..." instead. The way to proceed is to learn God's values and perspective, receive the counsel of mature Christians and keep in step with the Spirit.