The Book of James: REVISITED Putting Faith to Work! (Chapter 1: Verses 21-27)

 Hello Friends!

This week we’ll continue to work our way through this serious “study” series solemnly surveying the powerful book of James in considering the TRUE calling of the “Christian” life as directed throughout this excellent Epistle – “Putting Faith to Work!”

The Book of James: Putting Faith to Work! (Chapter 1: Verses 21-27)

²¹ Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. ²² But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. ²³ For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: ²⁴ For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. ²⁵ But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. ²⁶ If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. ²⁷ Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world – James 1:21-27

OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: The granted GENUINENESS of a person’s “religion” relished is NOT directly determined by their OWN opinion. Rather, it IS Divinely determined by our great “God’s” opinion! And although a person may “think” themselves to be quite “religious” as such, they are NOT the factor making that decision. The wonderful “Word of God” says we are genuinely “religious” in the TRUEST sense based upon HIM when our “lives” are mutually marked by overt “obedience” and lived-out “love” for Him and others. Incidentally, the true “believer” will also solely STRIVE to constantly “keep oneself unspotted from the world” by Biblical “faith” firmly found in “Jesus Christ” by the great “grace” of our grand “God the Father” formulated through the in-filling “power” of the “Holy Spirit” Sanctified – Thank YOU Lord!

Belief that BEHAVES!

Here “James” continues to carefully challenge his readers with TWO more trying TESTS of true “faith” as he further instructs the “brethren” entrusted into his PASTORAL care and nurturing:

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls – James 1:21

Another way we must “receive” the “Word of God” is with a “pure” life. However, we can NOT do so until we are rightly READY to wholly “lay aside” the influences of our “flesh” and the satanic “world” system SATURATED around us. The engulfing evil of the world’s “filthiness” and “wickedness” will hinder the real “righteousness of God“ from being produced in our lives. WHY? Because they do NOT please Him! Therefore, “James” intently instructs us to “lay aside” our “sins.” And a KEY word “James” uses here is "receive” as it is HOW one rightly responds unto “God” as they “receive with meekness” His intimate “implanted word” into their SUBMITTED heart. It is the “Word of God” that ALONE is aptly “able to save your souls” from damnation. If “you” are a TRUE bold “believer” there is a receptivity to the “truth of God” rightly working within “your” life soundly SUBMITTED unto the – Word OF God!

Doers OR Hearers?

The SEVENTH true TEST is being a “doer” of the “Word of God” in life – OBEDIENCE!

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was – James 1:22-24

One way to DEFINE a true “believer” is to diligently DETERMINE the one who is a “doer” of the “Word of God” and willfully “walks” in the “way” of the “Lord” in kind. They soundly SUBMIT their own “life” unto the “Word of God” and deeply “desire” to personally pattern their “lives” after Him. On the other hand, uniform “unbelievers” are NOT at all “doers” of the “Word of God” willed. They simply “observe” themselves as a “natural face” and then “goes away” quickly to “straightway” avidly AVOID it at all costs. Therefore, “we” must diligently DEAL with our “sin” source immediately! In other words, if “we” are ONLY a harkening “hearer” of the “Word of God” without REMEMBERING the maniacal “manner” of which “we” were, we’re dangerously close to decisively – DECEIVING Ourselves!

BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: If “we” try to construct a rank RELIGIOUS house built upon anything else but “obedience” to the “Word of God” alone, our effort is FOLLY. In fact, “James’” older half-brother as Sovereign “Savior” and “Lord Jesus Christ” asked this straight-to-the-point question:

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? – Luke 6:46

The called-out “Christian” has a deep “desire” to diligently DO what the wonderful “Word of God” has to SAY as such – Devoted DOERS!

DOER of the Work!

“But” now in stark CONTRAST considered, “James” aptly addresses the true “believer” in “Jesus Christ” alone: 

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed – James 1:25

This Greek word for “looketh” used here is “Parakupto” and literally means to “bend down and examine” something with great care and precision practiced. This is the bold “believer” who THOROUGHLY searches out EVERYTHING and implies a true humbling of oneself. It is to “looketh” with an INTENSE diligent “desire” and eager effort at the “perfect law of liberty” and wanting to dutifully “discern” what is REVEALED rightly in “God’s Word” fully. Thus, “James” enticingly encourages the diligent “doer of the work” in that “this man shall be blessed in his deed” indeed WHY? Because the true blessing is in the actual DOING itself – DOER of the Work!

VAIN Religion!

The EIGHTH true TEST is being able to “bridleth” of our “tongue” in life – MOUTH!

If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain – James 1:26

In the “fellowship” fold to which “James” adamantly wrote, there was a BIG problem present. Apparently there were many “religious” people misusing their torrid “tongue” for vilely “vain” and very VINDICTIVE pursuits. There seems to have been several would-be “religious” ruffians of whom were dire “deceivers” of the “brethren” and their rank “religion” was utterly USELESS to both “God” and “man” in kind. The point here is that a shallow SUBJECTIVE mental mind-set is implied by the word "seem" in that one outwardly "has the OPINION of himself that he IS religious” as such. After all, cantankerously corrupt and utterly unholy speech BETRAYS a heinous “heart” hankered – Ungodly USELESSNESS!

THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: The Greek word for “religious” used here is “Threskos” and is a very interesting word, found ONLY here in the New Testament narrative referring to an external ceremonial “worship” as such. Incidentally, the Greek word “Eusebeia” means “godliness“ referring to the “heart” and the Greek word “Mataios” means to “accomplish nothing” and is thus USELESS for anything! Therefore, if someone “seems” himself to be liturgically “religious” in carrying out a sort of pompous and pious parade, but does NOT care to boldly “bridleth his tongue” tightly, he actually “deceives his own heart” and his rank “religion is vain” both externally and internally as such – DECEIVED Hypocrite!

Therefore, even though the “religious” rank RITUAL might be evangelical in nature and even though the caustic CEREMONY might be Biblical per se’ it is actually futile pagan IDOLATRY unless one’s “heart” is righteously RIGHT with the “Lord” Himself! It's the “hearing” and “doing” with a humble “heart” and mindful “motives” that indeed TRULY matters to “our” great “God” in heaven. WHY? Because if any “man” might himself “seem to be religious” but is NOT mindful to “bridleth” his own “tongue” tightly, his pious PROFESSION of fickle “faith” is a sure sham shorn – VAIN Religion!

PURE Religion!

Finally, “James” reports that a proper reaction to and reception of the “Word of God” also means a willingness to aptly APPLY it without a selfish intent:

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world – James 1:27

True “religion” rightly demonstrates our great “God’s” garnered LOVE and caring COMPASSION contained in Him. “Pure” is the word for CLEAN and “undefiled” is the word for UNSTAINED in full They are synonyms with each other and points to the PUREST kind of “religion” realized. Again, it is NOT about what we do on the outside that matters. Rather, it is what comes OUT of our “heart” from – The INSIDE!

Furthermore, before WHOM? Here “God and the Father” is speaking of His Sovereignty as “God” and His Love as “Father” as He evaluates and judges our “works” based upon His divine decree This word for "to visit" means much MORE than simply saying "Hello" to someone. It has a sense of CARE built into it and includes the idea of bringing pity to someone in NEED through genuine nurturing support and service surmised. And “James” chooses outcast “fatherless and widows” succinctly. WHY? Because they are a suppressed segment within the “church” that deeply demonstrates the obviously GREATEST need for compassion with the LEAST ability available to – RIGHTLY Reciprocate!

Then “James” finishes his thoughts as he ENCOURAGES his righteous readers to continually strive to “keep himself unspotted from the world” and its EVIL influence. The Greek word for “world” here is “Kosmos” of which refers to the dastardly demonic “system” of insolent ideologies, bogus beliefs, licentious lifestyles and wicked worldviews of Satan’s UNGODLY cultural influence. Absolutely ANYONE who is a fiendish friend of this waning “world” is the arch enemy of the great “God” of heaven – INCOMPATIBLE Influences!

HISTORICAL HINTS: The ardent “Apostle John” aptly applies this SAME truth in saying if you “love” the wicked “world” in full, you do NOT really “love” the “Father” Himself:

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world – 1 John 2:15-16

STRAIGHT to the POINT! In other words, there is absolutely NO place provided for absolutely ANY crass – Christian COMPROMISE!

In closing:

Having been “born again” by the SHED blood of “Jesus Christ” and baptized by the “Holy Spirit of God” confirmed through the wonderful “Word of God” we become its PUPILS and our heart's “desire” is to listen to it, learn from it and respond to it in the SAME way a baby “desires” milk…

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious – 1 Peter 2:2-3

After all, you do NOT have to “teach” a new-born “baby” to like or drink milk. WHY? Because it naturally WANTS to eat as soon as it arrives into the world – DIVINE Design!

The same is true of a “believer” totally TRANSFORMED by the “Word of God” as he “grows up” with a spiritual appetite toward the true “things of God” granted. For the true “Christian,” this appetite is there in a GROWING way and is indicative of the “new birth” found in “Jesus Christ” alone with an ETERNALLY encroaching – SPIRITUAL Supply!

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!

Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

Encouraging Concepts

Truth for Today

"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"

The Book of James: REVISITED Putting Faith to Work! (Chapter 1: Verses 12-20)

Hello Friends!

This week we’ll continue to work our way through this serious “study” series solemnly surveying the powerful book of James in considering the TRUE calling of the “Christian” life as directed throughout this excellent Epistle – “Putting Faith to Work!”

The Book of James: Putting Faith to Work! (Chapter 1: Verses 12-20)

¹² Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. ¹³ Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: ¹⁴ But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. ¹⁵ Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. ¹⁶ Do not err, my beloved brethren. ¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. ¹⁸ Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. ¹⁹ Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: ²⁰ For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God – James 1:12-20

OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: As we’ve discussed, “James” rightly refers to his readers as “brethren” several times throughout his epistle. In fact, he even REVERES them as his "beloved brethren" beseeched. And the underlying assumption here is that the PARTICULAR people who make a claim of “faith” are indeed true “believers” beheld in “Jesus Christ” Himself. Interestingly enough, “James” does NOT even explain what it is to BE a called-out “Christian” as such. WHY? Because his readers already had that “knowledge” of their “salvation” glory! Therefore, “James” is simply saying throughout his excellent epistle: “It won't benefit you ETERNALLY unless there's clear EVIDENCE that your sure SALVATION is indeed the REAL thing!” Very – SERIOUS Indeed!

In the PREVIOUS section of his engaging epistle, “James” began to PRACTICALLY provide for “us” several sure TESTS to indicate whether or not our profession poised of “faith” is the REAL thing. We considered the first THREE last week:

The FIRST true TEST is perfectly proven by “patience” through “various trials“ of “suffering” and heralded – HARDSHIPS!                                                                                                                                                                                

The SECOND true TEST is perfectly proven by “asking” for the “wisdom” of “God” granted by – GOD!

The THIRD true TEST is perfectly proven by “rejoicing” in various financial – FACTORS!

Now here in these poignant passages “James” overtly outlines yet another THREE true TESTS as such:

The FOURTH true TEST is engagingly enduring the “temptations” in life – ENDURANCE!

The FIFTH true TEST is the direction of blame for the “temptations” in life – RESPONSE!

The SIXTH true TEST is totally trusting in God’s “perfect” provision in life – TRUST!

Therefore, “James” boldly begins this section with a firm FOCUS on the “promised” righteous reward received from the “Lord” in direly DIFFICULT times of “temptation” in life…

Loving God UNDER Trials!

The FOURTH serious TEST of true “faith” is engagingly ENDURING the trying “temptations” of life:

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him – James 1:12

THEOLOGICAL THOUIGHTS: This “promised” reward is just ONE of the five conceived “crowns” of which the ardent “Apostle Paul” outlined throughout his New Testament epistles. It was ALSO the purposed “Paul” of whom rightly reflected upon the “temptation“ of maniacal “man” and the “faithfulness” of our great “God” in speaking to the spiritually IMMATURE childish chided “church” residing within the “Corinth” capital…

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it – 1 Corinthians 10:13

Indeed, “God is faithful” in absolutely ALL of our terrible “trials” and torrid “temptations” that “we” will eventually experience in THIS looming life! That's the “blessed” righteous REWARD of sure “salvation” for the “approved” true “believer” whose “faith” is outwardly demonstrated by the way he “endures” the torrid “temptation“ of tumultuous “trials” experienced throughout his life time. Thus, “James” reassures “us” that “we” too will “receive” the COURAGEOUS coming “crown of life” which the “Lord” has “promised” to those who “love Him” – PRAISE our Lord!

The FIFTH serious TEST of true “faith” is the direction of BLAME in the “temptations” of life:

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death – James 1:13-15

True “faith” accepts PERSONAL responsibility for “sin” and ungodly decisions. And “James” is very CLEAR in regards to the “false converts” who say “I am tempted by God” when in fact HE does not “tempt anyone” at all! WHY would this menacing “man” say so of the “Lord” of Whom “cannot be tempted by evil” and the wickedness of such? Because these “liars” definitely do NOT want to accept PERSONAL responsibility for their own “sin” and rank – Rebellion AGAINST God!

Also, the “he” of whom “James” is rightly referring to here is the UNBELIEVING ungodly “one” who has a false professing “faith” fully demonstrated by the fact they will NOT accept the “truth” and are demonically “drawn away” from “God” by their “own” wicked “desires” and “enticed” by them. At that point, “sin” is cohesively  “conceived” and when “it” becomes a “full-grown” as an UNREPENTANT and wholly habitual life-style of predicated personal choice will boldly “bring forth death” for the “false convert” both – Physical AND Spiritual!

BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: It was the “Apostle Peter” of whom also rightly REFLECTED upon licentious “living” in willful “sin” and the “flesh” fallen verses a wonderful “walking” in obvious “obedience” according to the PERFECT wonderful “will of God” granted…

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit – 1 Peter 4:1-6

In other words, “we” once “lived” in wicked, willful “sinfulness” through a “flood of dissipation” in fickle FALLEN foolish “flesh” natures. WHY? Because that is ALL we could do in our lost state of “sin” and “rebellion” against “God” Himself… Until the “gospel” of our Justifier “Jesus Christ” Sovereignly “saved” us! Therefore, “Peter” proclaims: “Stop licentiously LIVING in your WILLFULLY woeful WICKED ways!” These passages are indeed CONVICTING and yet COMFORTING thoughts from our “faithful” and “loving” Holy “God” of promise – AMEN!

The SIXTH serious TEST of true “faith” is regarding the “perfect” loving PROVISION of our gracious “God’s” granted “gifts” in life:

Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning – James 1:16-17

Here “James” courageously COMMANDS the bold “beloved brethren” not to “be deceived” in their “understanding” of “God’s” great “gifts” given. WHY? Because the only glorious “gifts” that comes directly “down” from the “Father of lights” is His “good” and “perfect” will for the TRUE beholding “believer” in Him. Therefore, we MUST see our own “sin” as the bad “fruit” of our own “lust” for worldly enticements eradicated And there is NO vindictive “variation” nor sure “shadow of turning” within “God’s” perfect “holiness” and nature. WHY? Because in HIM there is found absolutely – NO Darkness!

And the “Apostle John” confidently CONFIRMED this mindful “message” rightly regarding the lavish “light” of “God” Himself…

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all – 1 John 1:5

Our “sin” does NOT corruptly “cometh down” from heaven. Rather, our own “sin” seethes UP from deep within ourselves! Therefore, both “James” and “John” concur: “The TRUE believer readily REPENTS of their OWN sin!” It is HEAR where “we” are indeed – Loving God UNDER Trials!

Re-born unto HOLINESS!

Next “James” juxtaposes “John” with a thoughtful tie to aptly ARTICULATE the mindful meaning of the “new birth” formulated as “firstfruits” found in “Jesus Christ” alone:

Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures – James 1:18

In fact, it was actually “according to the good pleasure of his will” waxed BY the “word of truth” through which “we” were soundly “saved” by “our” great “God” granted BEFORE the “foundation of the world” forged – IN Him!

HISTORICAL HINTS: The “Apostle Paul” exquisitely EXPANDS on this poignant point in speaking to the “church” chosen in “Ephesus” emancipated…

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved – Ephesians 1:3-6

In our “unregenerate” condition, we do NOT thoroughly think, specifically speak, appropriately act or practically perceive God NOR do we ultimately “understand” His total “truth,” loving “law” or wonderous “will” for “our” lost soul. Therefore, the wonderful “Word of God” reminds US that of His “own will” He boldly “begat us” by His “word of truth” tantamount…

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new – 2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore” absolutely ALL born-again “believers” are finally FORMED as fomented “firstfruits” fashioned as a “new creature” to beautifully “become new” through spiritual REGENERATION found in “Jesus Christ” alone – Re-born unto HOLINESS!

Wrath OR Righteousness?

Finally, “James” provides “us” with these words of WARNING concerning “our” appropriate attitude towards God’s WORD itself:

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God – James 1:19-20

IMPORTANT INSIGHTS: The intention issued here represents a right RESPONSE to the “Word of God” granted. In other words, this passage is NOT speaking in regards to a snide response rendered in RANDOM conversation. Rather, when “James” juries to "be swift to hear" he means to LISTEN intently to the “Word of God“ and to respond accordingly. WHY? Because the idea here is an EAGERNESS to grasp every opportunity to intentionally increase our heralded “hearing” of the “Word of God“ and to purposely PURSUE every privileged occasion to obtain the wonderful “wisdom,” diligent “discernment, keen “knowledge” and unique “understanding” utilized from – GOD Granted!

We must also be equally as “slow to speak” on “God’s” behalf. WHY? Because EVERYTHING we boldly “believe,” tensely “teach” and lovingly “live” by indeed MUST be truly “tested” with the “Word of God” grounded in its proper CONTEXT considered. In other words, one must NEVER willingly misrepresent His glorious – Great WORD!

Finally, “James” then terrifically ties it all together with an EXHORTATION to be surely “slow to wrath” as such. In other words, when we “hear” something properly taught from the “Word of God” itself, we must NOT build up rank resentment aimed AGAINST its precepts. WHY? Because regardless of what “we” might personally purport concerning His majestic MANDATES made, the wicked “wrath of man” does NOT willingly “worketh” the real “righteousness of God” revealed – Wrath OR Righteousness?

In closing:

These are very IMPORTANT points “James” makes in these powerful passages PONDERING our righteous response to the wonderful– WORD of God!

Similarly, the ardent “Apostle Paul” bluntly questioned the “saints” living in “Rome” regarding “God’s” Divine DISTAIN towards man’s fallen “foolish” and satanic “sinful” opinion gouging God’s “sovereign” righteous rule over everything eternally:

Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? – Romans 9:20

In other words, “Paul” soundly says: “Do NOT ask that question! Do NOT impugn the CHARACTER and NATURE of God or His wonderful  WORD!"

Therefore, both “James” and “Paul” rightly REMIND each of “us” that our waning “wrath” aimed against the wonderful “Word of the Lord” will NEVER incite the “righteousness of God” willed within each of “our” lives. We must NEVER presume to challenge our great God’s FINAL written authority aptly found IN His – Perfect WORD!

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!

Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

Encouraging Concepts

Truth for Today

"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"