Part 2: A Walk Through The Book of James

An excellent question was raised by my good friend and fellow student of the Bible, His Reverend Eminence, Pastor Kelly VanArsdol (sorry brother, I couldn't resist 😁). He asked, "How do you frame this letter to an application to Gentiles since the original audience seems to be a Jewish reader with the 12 tribes? Does it change any of your interpretation or impact any applications?"

My response to his question was - "I would start by quoting Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. That being said, the letter was originally written to the 12 tribes who were being persecuted but only those who were believers. The interpretation remains. It is timeless, and applicable to all who believe. Christ said we will suffer for His name sake and James tells us how to behave when suffering as well as when our faith is tested. Our faith gets tested regardless of who we were before Christ, Jew, Gentile, etc."

So we pick up where we left off in Chapter 1 with verses 5-7.

Vs 5-7 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

Ask God for wisdom and believe! God will give it freely and won’t think you are stupid for asking.  He wants to be your Father.  Believe me how many times have I made stupid mistakes by not asking. Come on! How great is it to be able to have a dad that wants you to ask him about your thoughts and won’t be accusing, sarcastic, or condescending when you ask.  He also is the creator of everything and is omniscient.  His answers will always be the right ones!!! If you believe that he will give you the wisdom to make the right choices he will give it too you generously. But you MUST believe and trust that He will.  Don’t doubt that He will.  For too long, I have doubted.  How much fuller could my life have been?  Who knows?  Honestly who cares.  What is done is done.  Remember Romans 8? 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. This includes wrong choices.  If it didn’t, I would be in a world of hurt.

So what are the consequences of unbelief and doubt? No wisdom.  No wisdom means wrong choices.  Instability.  Constantly warring against indecision and fear and storms of life.  So how do we attain the faith and belief?  Some of it is given directly by God as a gift and some must be requested, and some is achieved through perseverance.

Mark 9: 21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”“From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” 23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Ephesians 2: 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

Romans 10: 16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

Vs 9-11 9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

CS Lewis, a renowned Christian author, refers to this in his Narnia book, Prince Caspian: “You come of the Lord Adam and the Lady Eve," said Aslan. "And that is both honor enough to erect the head of the poorest beggar, and shame enough to bow the shoulders of the greatest emperor on earth. Be content.”

It is somewhat dissonant that James would write this at this place in the letter. If you think about it though, it does fit in. “Humble circumstance” means that God is taking them through trials to grow them and mature them and so they should see that as an honor that God would see that they have the potential to do His good works.  In the same token, the rich who are already blessed are either, not ready to be trained and should be humbled by that, they should not place their faith or hope in material goods (or outward appearances) because they are temporal and not eternal, or they should have the attitude that God has taken them to a place where they are able and equipped to do or help others to perform His works.

Alright, we will pick up again with verse 12 next time.  Please read chapter 1 and please do not be afraid to ask questions as they arise. God bless you all!