This is a profound instruction for any Believer during any age of history, but particularly so in view of the fact it is being given within the context of what should be done in the Last Days leading up to the Second Coming. The goal of the Gospel is the same from the moment of Christ's resurrection right up to the very last second before He returns again. But something even more profound is revealed here. At a time when spiritual darkness will be at its all-time pinnacle, we're provided with the opportunity to actually do something to alleviate its effects: turn "a sinner from the error of his way".

(more…)

I admit that if I had my way, every speaker, conference, and web site devoted to discussing the Second Coming would have to prominently begin by exegetically teaching from these verses. James doesn't diminish or de-emphasize the importance and place of "the coming of the Lord" in our life, he merely puts it all in the proper perspective by commanding "be patient".

(more…)

This is one of those simple, little verses with huge, eternal consequences both in its personal application as well as the theological. I think it speaks of the natural result of living a life of co-death and co-resurrection with Christ, of ultimately becoming like Him. Just as Christ constantly demonstrated His compassion, love, and mercy for all those He came across, so in becoming more and more like Him we're going to find that doing the minimum to get by is no longer the desire of our heart. This additional, personalized burden is not just knowing what WE are to personally do in all of life's situations, but actually DOING it.

(more…)

There are three very specific commandments here in regards to how we should approach God: "submit", "draw near", and "humble". This is curious to me in that there are myriad books, speakers, and conferences dedicated to enlightening us as to how a church is to conduct worship, and yet THE Book on the subject is rife with specific instructions on this very topic. Are you lucky enough to fellowship where this structure has been established as the basic framework for worship?

(more…)

The more I try to understand James and the epistles in their original context to the Early Church, the more I realize not just how imperfect the Early Church was, but how similar it is in many respects to the church today. Perhaps the ultimate human deception is the one about "the good ol' days" when things were thought to be perfect and uncorrupted, but in reality were just part of the present trend spiraling downward even further. But as it was then, so it is now: people bringing their unresolved lust for the things of the world in to try and get it to live side-by-side with their spiritual desires.

(more…)

I find it fascinating that in the earliest letter on record to the very first church in the history of this planet, that they experienced the same problems that are found in our generation's iteration of the church today. We always seem to talk about the Early Church in hushed, reverent tones in the context that they started out right and perfect and it was subsequent generations which introduced unhealthy elements that have undermined the church institutions that came later. And yet at the outset James is drawing attention to behavior in the Early Church which was "earthly, natural, demonic". When good intentions are overtaken by selfish ambition, the result is the same: hypocrisy.

(more…)

In case you haven't noticed, there are several terms repeatedly appearing in the Bible which describe sin. They're not perfect synonyms of each other but are used to express specific, different characteristics. The Holy Spirit through James does not say the tongue is "the very world of evil", or "the very world of transgression", or "the very world of wickedness", or any of the many alternative terms for sin, but "the very world of iniquity". Whereas the word for sin has to do with "a missing", and transgression means "to break covenant with", iniquity has to do with "a bending" or "curving". In other words, iniquity can only be committed by someone who knows God's Word yet purposely perverts or twists it to suit themselves. It takes "lying" to the more sophisticated and conscious level of "manipulation".

(more…)