ragnew

(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? James says that teachers will receive heavier judgment. I'm not sure that James is discouraging people from becoming teachers, but cautioning them. Greater strictness is appropriate because the words of a teacher have far greater ability to either instruct and encourage in holiness, or to spread wrong and sinful ideas that will draw people away from the Lord. I think that God has set the standard for all teachers, from the preschool class right up to the leadership of the Church, to be the same. Instead of judging my Church leadership I would do better to look at how God's standards and expectations as a teacher apply to me.

(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)? The order in which things happen is important. Faith comes first and then comes works. The evidence of our faith is our works. Faith and works are like the wings of a plane. If either one is missing the plane plummets to the ground. In the same way works without faith is useless and faith without works is dead. Both faith and works are given to us by the grace of God. Our salvation is by grace and our good works are prepared for us by God in His grace (Eph. 2:10) This keeps us humble on both fronts. We can't boast of saving ourselves and we can't boast of our works.

(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 who God is and they hate Him for it and are doing everything in their power to try to defeat God and His followers. In a way, demons are the ultimate example of faith without works. A believer knows who God is and loves, worships and serves Him. Part of this service and worship is the works that we do in His name for the Glory of God. As far as a non practicing Christian I really couldn't say. A non practicing Christian may be someone who is not genuinely a believer or it may be a genuine Christian that has been so wounded in spiritual battle that they have dropped out of the fight. That person may just need someone to come along side and encourage them along.

(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 provide for the needs of our brothers and sisters in the Church, unless they are not willing to work (II Thess. 3:10) We are also called to minister to the needy outside of the Church. Consider the story of the Good Samaritan. In this Jesus teaches us to help and care for our neighbour. And who is our neighbour? Anyone that God brings to cross our paths.

(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? Later in the passage faith without works is compared to a body without the spirit. In other words, a dead body. Dead people don't do much and faith without works is not doing anything either. It has no value and calls into question the very existance of that faith. If you do not act on your faith, then do you really have faith? Works are the evidence of faith. V. 17 seems to indicate that without works faith is dead. Now the fruit or works of faith may not be discernible by us. It is up to God to decide who has faith and who doesn't. We never know what is going on in the hearts and minds of individuals and how God is working in and through them.

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? God has made the poor to be RICH in faith. When we show favouritism to a rich man we are judging like the world and forgetting that we are all on an equal footing before God.

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? I'm not sure why this is called the royal law. It was given in Lev. 18, and reinstated by the Lord Jesus (the King of Kings) so maybe that is why it is the "royal law." The royal law encompasses many of the 10 commandments because it is more general. If we genuinely loved others we wouldn't lie, steal, murder, commit adultery, dishonour parents or covet. By showing disproportionate regard for either rich or poor people we are not showing love. Instead we are either flattering with wrong motives or oppressing, both of which are sin, making us guilty of breaking the whole law.

Q1. (2:1-3) What kind of person or what kind of sinner do you tend to discriminate against? What kind of people are you (or your church) trying to make a good impression on? I hadn't thought about it as discrimination, but I certainly shy away from some types of people. I would say I shy away from people who seem to be putting on a front of wealth, professionalism, charisma or seem to have a domineering spirit. As much as I shouldn't be favouring these people, it is probably equally wrong to disfavour them, especially as it is likely that I could easily misjudge the true nature of their character. I would say that there are some people in our church that might favour the professional person over say ...a new immigrant, but in general our church is very welcoming to people from all walks of life.

Q4. (1:26-27) Why does James make taming the tongue and caring for the poor the prime tests of pure religion? Why not the quality of our quiet time or worship? Until what the Lord has taught us comes out in our every day actions, what good does it do. Christianity is more than just a religion, it is a relationship with the Lord Jesus, but a Christian does have religious duty to perform. God does place expectations on how we will act and behave, and until we are acting out our faith our religion is of no value. Quality time with the Lord is one aspect of our relationship to Him, being obedient and actually doing what He tells us to do is of equal or greater value.

Q3. 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? I think the perfect law is referring to God's Word in general. This passage is talking about the sanctifying power of God's Word which cleanses us from unrighteousness and frees us, or liberates us from sin. The royal law "love your neighbor as yourself" is just one aspect of the "perfect law." The royal law has to do with relationships here on earth. The "perfect law" frees us by letting us break free from all those sins that way us down and hold us back from running the race that God has set before us.

(1:18) In what sense are we given spiritual birth by the "word of truth"? What does spiritual life have to do with the Word? I am reminded of the verse "the truth will set you free." It is the truth of God's Word that reveals our bondage to sin and makes us aware of our need for a Saviour. Salvation is only possible through the knowledge of the truth that God sent His Son Jesus to pay the penalty for our sins. When we come to that saving knowledge/ faith we are reborn as spiritual sons of God. In that sense our spiritual birth is through the "word of truth" which is God's Word, the Bible. We need to daily be feeding on the truth of the Word of God for our daily sustenance, much like we eat daily to maintain physical health and strength. Without daily time in the Word of God we will become weaker and less effective in our spiritual life.

Q2. (1:22) 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? From a legalistic point of view, I may feel satisfied that I've done my duty to spend time in God's Word and then forget that it does little good until it is applied in my life. We may also feel great pride in knowledge on certain deeper truths of the Bible. I'd say the basis of the deception is pride. Spending time in the Bible is not a duty, it is what gives me life. Knowledge without application is of no value. It is all vanity.

Q4. (1:5-8) What is the promise to claim in verse 5? What is the condition attached to this promise in verse 6? How do trials help us receive this wisdom? The promise is that God will give generously of wisdom if we ask Him to. The condition is that we must believe and not doubt that God will give us wisdom. I can see that trials would help us in a couple of ways. First, trials strengthen our faith so that we are able to believe that God will give us wisdom and see us through the situation. Second, trials help us to know God and obey God's Word at a deeper level, which makes us wiser the next time around (ideally anyway).

Q3. (1:5-8) How do trials help cure us of "doublemindedness"? How do trials help us grow in faith? Trials push our limits in the Christian faith. God promises that He will never allow trials in our lives that are more than we can bear with His strength, but there is no doubt that trials push us farther than we would ever choose to go, much like an athlete in training must push harder and push through the pain to progress in her sport. As our faith is exercised, like a muscle, it grows stronger. I have found this to be true in my own life. When I face trials today, I can look back and remember how God has remained faithful to me in past trials and this gives me added strength to face the new ones. I think this cures "doublemindedness" because we no longer have doubts that God is going to come through for us. In James 1:5 He promises wisdom for those who ask. I need to take Him at His word and trust that He will give me that divine wisdom, especially in the midst of a trial.

Q2. (1:13-15) Why do people blame God for evil? Does God tempt us with evil? Does he tempt sinful people with evil? Why does he allow people to sin? Why does he allow evil to exist at all? Good question. I think some people blame God because they figure that He's God and in control of all things so he should stop evil from happening and the fact that He doesn't makes Him responsible for it. God does not tempt us with evil. "For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when....."(1:13-14) It is not in God's nature to be associated with evil in any way and He certainly does not incite anyone to sin. Right from the creation of Adam and Eve, God has given people the option to follow Him or not to follow Him. We have free will in this matter. If God had created us so that we could not choose, then we would lose some of the image of God that we are created in and we would be more like programmed computers that have no thoughts or abilities other than what God would have put in. In my experience, most people would not prefer that type of reality. I don't fully understand God's plan and the existence of evil. I have some ideas on the matter, but they aren't completely satisfactory in my mind, so I will remain patient on this topic until I reach heaven and can have a fuller understanding. I think that God wanted people to have the choice of who they will serve, not just one option. I think that He wanted to send Jesus to the world as the ultimate example of love, sacrifice and justice, thus demonstrating to all of creation His perfect character. I also know that God has a plan to put an end to sin and evil once and for all, but I sometimes question His timing.....why not do that right now? I guess it's because there are still those who will come to salvation. By faith I have to trust in His timing whether I understand it or not. These are difficult questions to answer. I look forward to further insight.

Trials have had a profound impact in my walk with the Lord. God has used them to reveal sin in my own life, to learn patience and perseverance, to give me the ability to sympathize with others going through similar situations, to strengthen my relationship with my husband, to strengthen my faith and to grow in wisdom (although I still have no wisdom apart from God). It has been tempting many times to throw in the towel and let Satan have his way as this sometimes seems to be the easier route to take. But the benefits of persevering through and letting God have the victory in your life far outweigh the short lived peace you may have in giving in. I find there is little joy while in a trial (v.2) and I've wrestled with this thought this week. I think that the joy comes in the end result....the growth in perseverance, wisdom and faith.

Hi, My name is Ruth and this is my first internet based Bible Study. I'm looking forward to being challenged in my walk with the Lord while studying James. It's already proved to be of practical value as I faced a bit of a trial this week. God is faithful! I live in Ontario Canada and have been married for 20 years and have two children.