Peggie

This makes the 3rd or 4th Bible studies I've done with Pastor Ralph, and they were all excellent. I have to say that the study of James is the best yet! The book of James gets down to easy to understand, common sense teaching for the Christian.

Q2. (4:4) Why does James refer to church members as "adulteresses"? Because they seek pleasure outside of Christ. What does the adultery consist of? Putting God on a back burner and taking pleasure in outside pleasures of the world. Who is the aggrieved husband? Christ. What is wrong with friendship with the world? Friendship with the world leads us outside of what God wants for our lives and down the path of destruction.

Is God against pleasure? What wrong in living to increase one's pleasure? No, God is not against pleasure, and I believe that is well pointed out in Matthew 6:30-32 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Seeking pleasure is only wrong when, as our lesson this week teaches, we ask with the wrong motives. We must seek God FIRST and not let things of this world come before that.

Q3. (3:13-16) In what ways are "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" (3:14) direct opposites of "humility" (3:13)? Envy and ambition show concern for ourselves, especially selfish ambition. When we are humbled and have humility, we begin thinking outside of ourselves, and toward the good of others. How does denial of "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" prevent healing? Because to rid ourselves of those 2 things, we first have to admit we have them. Once we admit the problem, we can begin to heal, not only ourselves but those around us who have been hurt by us. How does boasting about these prevent healing? Boasting shows we don't think we have a problem when in fact we do.

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? The tongue is untamable while we still belong to a "generation" or "offspring" of vipers. When we accept Christ, and we become His, we no longer are of that generation instead we are now God's child.

Q1. (3:1-2) Why does James discourage people from aspiring to be teachers of the Word? James discourages people from teaching because they are held to a higher standard than others. Not only do teachers of the Word have to be careful to live up to their teachings, but also have to be very careful that what they are teaching out of God's Word is exactly the way GOD means for it to be. Why is greater strictness appropriate? To hopefully keep teachers from teaching God's word in a careless and irresponsible way. If a teacher knows he/she is being held to a higher standard, they will hopefully be more careful. Should you set higher standards for your pastor than you do for yourself? Yes! We should all be very careful of the examples we set before the unsaved. But when a pastor shows a poor example, it tends to alienate the unsaved just that much more if they see it.

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)? What I was going to say is almost word for word what Troy said, so I'll just say a hearty AMEN for his answer:)

Q3. (2:18-19) What is the difference between the "belief" of a demon and the "belief" of a practicing Christian? To me, a demon has an intellectual belief, they "know" God exists, but they shudder......which I think that means they fear because they do not believe the way a Christian believes, their faith and hopes are not hanging on Jesus Christ to save them. A practicing Christian has a belief to the point of dedication in Christ, to do His will and delights in doing so! The "belief" of a non-practicing Christian? To me, the belief of a non-practing Christian is just as James said, their faith is dead.

Q2. (2:15-16) To what degree are we responsible for the poor and needy in the church community? We are responsible to the poor and needy as far as God enables us to help them. When I say "enables" I mean that in the truest sense of the word, in that it does not just mean to the extent that we "feel" like doing something. There is only so much any of us can do, so we should do all we can and leave the rest to God, continuing to pray for His provision for the poor, then help out again when He enables us to do so. Once in church when we were taking up a special missionary offering, our pastor made it very clear that this was to be above our normal giving. As he so clearly put it, "If we can't keep the lights on here, we can't continue to do for others." How about our responsibility for those outside the church, in the community at large? There is a song that says, "I'd rather see a sermon than hear one anyday." I believe that when we reach out to those outside the church, and they see our outpouring of love by DOING instead of yapping about it, that is a great example and testimony of our faith. Jesus said, "When you have done it to the least one of these my bretheren, you have done it also to me".

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? Here is one Biblical dictionary's definition of faith: Saving faith is a moral act, as it proceeds from a renewed will, and a renewed will is necessary to believing assent to the truth of God (1

Q4. (2:13b) In what way is showing regard towards the wealthy (2:2-3) a denial of mercy? Because when showing regard toward the wealthy at the expense of the poor, we show a lack of mercy and compasssion toward the poor. 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? If we were judged according to our sins, we would be going to hell because it's what we deserve. BUT, praise God that He is merciful! So much so that He sent His OWN son to bear our sins. What a small thing it is to show mercy to others when we think of the mercy Christ has given us!!!!

Q3. (2:9-11) Why does James refer to the Great Commandment as the "Royal Law"? Because it is the highest law that there is. Paul tells us that if we don't have love, we have nothing. How is it more "royal" than the Mosaic Law? Because the Mosaid Law stems off of it. If we go around stealing, murdering, etc. it shows we have no love. How does showing favoritism toward a rich person break the "Royal Law" towards that rich person? Because if we show favoritism toward a rich person just because they are rich, we are not loving them at all. How does it break the "Royal Law" in regard to a poor person? Because it's not loving the poor person.

Q2. (2:4) In what way does favoritism make one a judge? Because it shows in our minds that we believe one to be deserving of favor more than another, deeming ourselves worthy to make that call. How does favoritism make one a judge with "evil thoughts"? Because when we show favoritism, it is usually with selfish motives whatever they may be.

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? If I tend to discriminate, I'd have to say maybe it would be someone who drinks excessively because I don't have alot of patience for that, even though I know it is no worse of a sin than many things I've done and still fall into from time to time. Also, if I'm going to be really honest I'd have to say I discriminate against those who think they are better than everyone else. God is working with me on that one and showing me to always be kind to them regardless. I really cannot think of any type person that I am knowingly trying to impress.

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? Jesus said that the tongue is sharper than any two edged sword. Words can be and often are some of the most painful things one person can inflict on another. Many times when we care for the poor, we have to get our hands dirty...so to speak. This shows humility, which is what Jesus showed when He came and died for us.