The Book of James… oh yeah!
Last night, I learned that we are going to begin studying the Book of James together on Sunday morning. One of our elders is planning to teach through the book. But, he is going to be out of town for the first two weeks. So, another brother is going to teach chapter 1, and guess what?!?!
I’m going to teach chapter 2! Isn’t that awesome!
James chapter 2 is such an incredibly rich chapter of Scripture. I’m so looking forward to studying, teaching, and discussing it with my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Our brother who is planning to teach the final three chapters has asked that we read through the entire book each week, then focus on one chapter per week. So, this coming Sunday, we will focus on chapter 1 – another incredibly rich chapter. Then, the following Sunday, we will read the entire book, and focus our teaching and discussion on the second chapter.
I think this will be a very good study for our church. God has been teaching us to put our faith into practice recently… and I think that’s pretty clear in James.
So, what would bring out while teaching or discussing James chapter 2?
Whether you agree with him or not, the commentary on The Epistle of James by Zane Hodges is worth looking at. It’s at Amazon.
The first part of the chapter reminds me of Jesus, and who his friends were while on this earth. Jesus loved sinners, and I don’t seem to follow that.
I put myself too high, and look at sinners as my footstool, instead of friends.
I don’t think James was only talking about raiment.
Jeremy,
I read something by Hodges, but don’t remember what now.
Sol,
Yes, that’s a very important part of chapter 2. Thanks!
-Alan
That Gen 15:6 was fulfilled later when Abraham offered Issac. God could impute righteousness “back then” because He had the foreknowledge of what Abraham would do through faith later. Abraham had no works of justification (faith perfection) at that point and only his faith in the promise (which he didn’t receive before he died. Heb. 11). But without faith, it is impossible to please Him,for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
You can’t have faith without eventual evidence of works (perfection of faith). However, you can have works without faith.
also Romans 4 – reward reckoned by grace (God’s power) or debt (He owes you one)?
Eric,
I also love the way that James connects faith and works. I know that I don’t want dead faith.
-Alan