Dr. Charles F. Stanley once said, "Life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about God's mighty kindness and love."
This excerpt, available with Bible Gateway Plus, is based on James 3:13, which reads: |
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Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. |
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| NASB Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible |
The Epistle of James
Faith without works cannot be called faith. James tells us, "Faith without works is dead," Dead faith is worse than no faith at all (2:26). And he is right. Nothing harms the body of Christ more than a believer who refuses to exercise his or her faith in the absolute infinite power of God.
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Faith must work, it must produce, and it must make itself visible. Verbal faith is not enough, and mental faith is insufficient. Genuine faith inspires and empowers godly action. Throughout his letter, James integrates true faith and everyday, practical experience by stressing that true faith must manifest itself in works of faith. Otherwise, it is not real faith at all.
Genuine faith endures trials. Trials are bound to come, but a person who has a strong faith will face them head-on and develop endurance in the process.
Genuine faith understands temptations. It will never consent to our lusts and thereby slide into sin. Christ has broken the power of sin through His death and resurrection. We are new creations, and our lives are hidden in Him. This means that when God sees us, He sees His Son. Sin cannot rule our lives. We can give it access, but we have been freed from its ensnaring bondage.
Genuine faith harbors no prejudice. For James, faith and favoritism cannot coexist. God also calls us to love one another, just as He loves. Hatred and bitterness against another have no place in the kingdom of God
Genuine faith has the power to control the tongue. This small, but immensely powerful, part of the body must be held in check—and only grace, working through faith, can manage it. Words are powerful. Words of grace bring life and encouragement.
Genuine faith acts wisely. It gives us the ability to choose heavenly wisdom that brings life and shun earthly wisdom that brings death.
Genuine faith produces separation from the world and submission to God. It provides us with the ability to resist the devil and humbly draw near to God.
Finally, genuine faith waits patiently for the coming of the Lord. Although troubles and trials cause us grief, faith in the return of Christ stifles complaining.
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The name Iakobos (James) in 1:1 is the basis for the early title, Iakobou Epistole, "Epistle of James." Iakobos is the Greek form of the common Hebrew name Jacob.
Theme: Genuine faith works on a daily basis by depending on the power of God.
Author: Generally agreed that James, "the Lord's brother" (Gal. 1:19), and a leader in the church in Jerusalem wrote this letter.
Time: Probably written before the Jerusalem Council in a.d. 50, making it perhaps the earliest book in the New Testament—with the possible exception of Galatians. Structure: James briefly greets his audience (1:1), then instructs them about trials (vv. 2–20), the nature of true faith (1:21—2:26), the untamable tongue (3:1–12), heavenly wisdom (vv. 13–18), pride versus humility (4:1–17), warnings to the rich (5:1–6), persevering patience (vv. 7–12), and miscellaneous matters (vv. 13–18). He then gives a brief conclusion (vv. 19, 20).
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