JoyceAlaska

What did I get out of the course? It made me put into words what I knew thus strengthening the knowledge. What could be improved? I'd like to see more feedback. Perhaps you could summarize the answers to each lesson and point out the error and/or the truths.

Q2. (5:5-6) What is the spiritual danger of our demand for comfort and luxury? The danger lies in thinking we deserve the comforts/luxuries--God is gracious and allows us to have creature comforts, even luxuries. However, all these will ultimately be destroyed--they should be held very lightly--enjoyed, but not worshiped!! Extra credit: How might our demand for low-priced goods and services cause us to (1) oppress our own employees or (2) cause workers in this country or abroad to be under paid or oppressed? Employers meet the demand for low prices not by cutting their profit margin but by cutting employee wages/benefits--this then, is an abridgement of the "royal law"--Love your neighbor as yourself and do unto others as you would be done by. How does all this relate to the need for patience? We need to understand that we do not need things "right now!" we can wait or do without!! There was a motto during WWII that might be good to remember: Use it up, make it do or do without!

Q1. (4:13-16) What danger is James warning us about in verses 13-16? How can we be humble in our planning without being indecisive and wishy-washy? Danger James is warning us about is arrogance and presumption-- presuming that we know what the future holds! We can plan for our future without being arrogant--or indecisive/wishy-washy by keeping God's provision in mind -- there is a saying: Plan as if you are going to live forever--live as if you only have today--- Planning for the future is not presumption if we keep in mind that our future is in God's hands--not ours--so, our planning should always have the caveat, even if unspoken--that we will do this or that if God wills!!

Q2. (4:4) Why does James refer to church members as "adulteresses"? I would say, that Paul was addressing Christians--not simply church members. And, the church or the body of Christ is referred to as His bride-- What does the adultery consist of? Being unfaithful to Christ by embracing the carnal pleasures of the world and by being seduced by deviant doctrine-- allowing the things of this world to become foremost in your thought and allegiance-- Who is the aggrieved husband? Christ--who died for us. What is wrong with friendship with the world? It dilutes the love/allegiance to Christ-- you cannot love/serve two masters!! If you serve the world, you will not be serving Christ--you can't do both!! You cannot fellowship with the dark things of this world and still cling to the light of Christ--- And, it is a choice we make--we can choose to follow the world--or we can choose to follow Christ.

Q1. (4:1-3) Is God against pleasure? No--but, He is against hedonistic pleasure--pleasing only self--living for pleasure rather than for God. What wrong in living to increase one's pleasure? The emphasis is on self--and we are not our own, but bought with a price! Our focus needs to be on God, not on our pleasing ourselves.

Q4. (3:17-18) With what tool do peacemakers sow peace? Why does this produce a ripening crop of righteousness? In whom does this crop grow? Righteousness--as the Amplified puts it: And the harvest of righteousness (conformity to God's will in thought and deed) is the fruit of the seed sown in peace by those who work for and make peace which means concord (agreement, harmony) between individuals, with untisturbedness, in a peaceful mind free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts!! When we conform to God's will in thought--and in deed-- there will be peace within-- This crop grows in those who are obeying God's will -- Christians!!

Q3. (3:13-16) In what ways are "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" (3:14) direct opposites of "humility" (3:13)? How does denial of "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" prevent healing? How does boasting about these prevent healing? Envy and selfish ambition are both concerned with "self" or "ego"-- envy focuses on what others have, whether spiritual or monetary, rather on what God has blessed you with. Ambition focuses on the advancement of "self--whether in a spiritual or worldy realm. It is in direct opposition to the royal laws: Love your neighbor as yourself and Do for others what you would have others do for you. They prevent healing because the focus is on self--not on God or His grace---these attitudes come between you and God and hinder healing. Boasting about envy or ambition is at best unwise; at worse self-defeating. It fosters feelings of resentment/anger--which hinders healing-- **scientifically proven!!

Q2. (3:7-8) Read Matthew 12:34 and 15:18. In light of these verses, why is the tongue untamable? What has to happen before it can be tamed? What is in the heart, comes out through the mouth (tongue)---an unregenerate (sinful--evil) heart speaks unregenrate (sinful--hateful) words. The heart must be changed if the tongue is to change! That change comes through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit when we accept Christ as our Savior!

Q1. (3:1-2) Why does James discourage people from aspiring to be teachers of the Word? Why is greater strictness appropriate? Should you set higher standards for your pastor than you do for yourself? I can only reiterate what others have said! To teach the Word is to be responsible for what is taught--the teacher has a responsiblility to teach the word in truth and without detracting or diluting the gospel. And, teachers will be held responsible for what they have taught! Should I set higher standards for my pastor than for myself? No!! the same standards of righteousness apply to all!! A preacher/pastor is held responsible for what he preaches/teaches--and his conduct should measure up to the Word--but so should mine!

Q3. (2:18-19) What is the difference between the "belief" of a demon and the "belief" of a practicing Christian? The "belief" of a non-practicing Christian? Demons know that there is a God and that there is a judgment to come. They made a disastrous choice and rebelled against God--but, they still know that God is!! The belief of a practicing Christian is based on faith--faith in Christ and His redeeming blood. The practice their faith--their belief--by obeying Christ and His commandments: Love your neighbor as you do yourself--preach/teach the gospel--love one another. The belief of a non-practicing Christian is head knowledge--an intellectual assent to the existence of God. Much as I have the intellectual knowledge that there is a Queen Elizabeth of England--but, I do not know her--have never met her!!

Q2. (2:15-16) To what degree are we responsible for the poor and needy in the church community? How about our responsibility for those outside the church, in the community at large? We are responsible to the poor and needy in our church community to share what God has blessed us with--And, the same for the community at large--First our brothers and sisters in Christ who are needy--then the community. We are stewards of God's blessings--whatever we have is ours by His grace--we are to handle it wisely--and that means helping others! And, it is good to remember we are not responsible for what we don't have! My church has helped with the food ministry -- food boxes for the needy--no questions asked--homeless folks and others can get "wooden nickels" which they take to the food bank and get 20 lbs. of food. Until recently, we had a weekly ministry of having food at the church one day a week--the homeless and others could come and help themselves from the fruit/veg/ breads whatever was surplus that day. Those of the church community who were in need could do the same--no questions asked!

Q1. (2:14-18) In what sense is faith dead if it is unaccompanied by action? In what sense might (if that were possible) it be alive? Faith is always followed by action--if it is really faith! Faith demands action--because faith is active--not passive. A passive faith is dead because it stagnates, doesn't grow-- if we truly believe what Jesus said, then we must act on it!! "Love your neighbor as yourself---do unto others as you would have them do to you"--action!! How can a passive faith be alive? It is dormant-- so, it may be possible that if it is watered it might sprout!!

Q4. (2:20-26) How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)? Two sides of the same coin! Paul is pointing out that salvation comes by faith--cannot be earned! But, he also states that we are "saved for good works"--(Eph. 2:10); James says that if you are saved the good works should follow--that it is a natural progression--salvation by grace--then good works!!

Q4. (2:13b) In what way is showing regard towards the wealthy (2:2-3) a denial of mercy? Extra credit: Read Hosea 6:6; Matthew 5:7; and 9:13. In what way does mercy "triumph over" (NIV, RSV, NASB) or "rejoice against" (KJV) judgment? What does this mean? In what way is showing regard for the wealthy a denial of mercy? In 2 ways--it is as, others have said--making a judgment based on material wealth--discriminating between a wealthy person and a poor one--It infers that wealth makes you worthy of God's favor--in Christ there is no distinction between people because of race/color/wealth/gender-- all have sinned and come short of the glory of God! How does mercy triumph over judgment? Judgment demands payment for wrongs/sin--mercy forgives!!

Q3. (2:9-11) Why does James refer to the Great Commandment as the "Royal Law"? How is it more "royal" than the Mosaic Law? How does showing favoritism toward a rich person break the "Royal Law" towards that rich person? How does it break the "Royal Law" in regard to a poor person? Some one said it : Like the royal highway, it is straight forward--no twists or turns! The Royal Law is contained within the Mosaic law--in fact is a direct quote--however, the Mosaic law was imperfect because its system of blood sacrifices that had to be offered over and over again, was only a shadow of the true sacrifice--the Lamb of God--Jesus Christ. By showing preference toward a rich person, it can infer that their riches can buy them salvation--which is untrue and if they relied upon that would doom them--the gospel is to be preached without regard to person or pedigree. By showing disrespect to the poor person it can infer that they are not worthy of salvation, which, again, is untrue--salvation is free to all! Besides, it was to shepherds that the news of Christ's birth was first given--Jesus preached to all who would listen and that was mainly the poor, the disowned, the disreputable-- ** See Romans 15:7