Gaye-Ellen

I agree, they were in need of Paul's wisdom and counsel. The first chapter shows us Paul's reflection on the two groups who wanted to share the gospel. One group did it out of envy and strife ; therefore they already have their reward. The other group did it out of love, thereby sending their rewards onto heaven. A second problem was that they were grumblers and complainers. It is interesting Paul does not call out any one person but he quietly was laying the ground work for these two women in chapter 4. We can learn much from Paul on how to quietly speak against the behaviors and the persons who are the "trouble makers" without speaking their names.

I love this answer and it fits perfectly here in this chapter. We have been talking about judgmentalism and as Rachel says, when we deny mercy to the poor but give it to the rich we are judging. Again, Rachel nails it with her statement: in showing mercy we also receive mercy. Win win! Yes! Interesting that this topic keeps coming up...my mother had this gift. Her heart was always available to offer rides, help, just gifts of "being there" to those in need. Praying that today I might have this gift to those who are hurting and in need of God's mercy. Gaye

What is this "perfect law" that James mentions? How would you define it? How does it relate to the "royal law" (2:8)? In what sense does it bring liberty? It has been some time since I studied James and this question was and is perplexing. How do I define the perfect law of liberty? Liberty to me means freedom and Jesus came to do away with the Law which is not and never more shall be perfect. However, that Law is and was God's righteous standard. So to live/abide by the perfect law of liberty is to abide in the principles He established. Why does James use two different laws? "perfect law of liberty and the royal law?" Are they the same? Or is that they are the same in how they are lived out? Dr Constable says this: "The law to which James referred is the revelation of God’s will contained in Scripture (cf. Matt. 5:17). It is perfect because it is the perfect will of a perfect God." I think the key to this dilemma is the word "perfect". To be blessed as he says we must abide in the perfect law and that is God's Word and His Law. Again Dr. C. says this: "The law to which James referred is the revelation of God’s will contained in Scripture (cf. Matt. 5:17). It is perfect because it is the perfect will of a perfect God." That explains it 'perfectly' to use a pun. I am still perplexed by the two terms but just as I often look for a synonym I think this the pattern here. Good questions!

You ask this question: Why are we so easily fooled into thinking that listening to Bible teaching means that we are living out righteous lives? What is the nature of the self-deception? Being fooled and deceived is just one of Satan's deadly d's. He seeks to fool us by mimicking God but with additions. We, like Eve, fall for his deadly d because we listen but do not discern. Today we are comfortable to listen but not to do. Jesus told the Pharisees that they listened but did not understand and therefore were not doing what God required. Instead, like Eve, they added to the words of God. We fall for that same lie. We think we are righteous just by listening when Jesus requires we take the next step of doing. James said, don't just be hearers of the word but doers as well. We are deceived thinking God is pleased by our listening but if there is no application, then it is without merit.

What amazing promises! Just think as you read of all of them as they are beyond our comprehension to see and understand Peter used this passage as he preached his first sermon. Does that mean it has been fulfilled? Something to think about.

Although we read this from a 21st century perspective we must keep in mind what the prophet was saying both to his present day readers and our today present day readers. Isaiah was anointed by the Spirit of God to speak to the people seeking a Messiah and as he spoke the Spirit guided his words to reflect the plan of God. Just think! Isaiah was privileged to say that one day the true Messiah would come to bring hope to a people languishing in their sin filled world. This Messiah would not just be a man but a man anointed with the Spirit of God but he would come from the line of Jesse. As they read this what glorious hope that would bring to the people who had lost their king and kingdom and although that had happened God's promises were still in force. He promised a Messiah and this is how they would recognize him: He would be wise beyond all understanding and we saw how he confounded the priests even at age 12 in the temple. He would have a spiritual discernment and understanding beyond his years and even the people in Nazareth said, isn't this the carpenter's son - how did he become so wise.We saw it as he answered the fools who came asking Jesus questions such as whose wife in eternity would she be ...Jesus wisely said, you don't know the scriptures. He counseled and offered wisdom to those in need as we see the woman at the well. He would quote the prophets of old before the council and they could not refute him. All of these passages in Isaiah must have been such an encouragement to this prophet as he wrote, that although he would never see it happen he could be certain that God is a promise-keeper and a covenant keeping God. So the question is this for me and for us: When we read this and then the NT where the Messiah came, do we equate those promises and see how they were fulfilled? It gives me great hope to know that what God planned in eternity past truly came to be. It means that His Word is true and I can trust Him and it. It stands as a guide to those who come saying I am the Messiah and it gives me a way to discern truth from error, Heb 5:14. I can know that these are the false Messiahs that Jesus warned about who could some seeking to turn us away from the truth. It reminds me to use these as a way to prove Jesus is the promised Messiah when speaking to others about Him.