e-mail 10/3/03 (2)

Today, I am reading through the letter of James. It is a short letter in the New Testament written by James the half-brother of Jesus. (For those who don't catch it, James and Jesus had different fathers.) James was probably converted by Jesus after the resurection although there is nothing definite that I can find to state emphatically that this was the time of his conversion. It is believed that it was written about AD45-50 - after the resurrection. He wrote this letter to the Christian Jews. It is revelant to us today because as believers, we have been adopted into the family. The books's central theme is religion. To get the meaning and full impact of this letter it needs to be read in its entirety and it doesn't take long.

Scripture needs to be studied with a view of the whole book. We need to know more about who the book or letter was written to and why it was necessary to write the things the author did. All Scripture is given to us by God's authority and is written for us to have instruction for daily living, recognize the past(the good, bad and ugly), and be prepared for the future.

James identifies himself in the traditional way in verse 1 and says to whom the letter is written .

Beginning in verse 2, he jumps into his teachings using "tests" to make his points throughout the letter. In my Bible there are topical headings and first is the purpose of testing, then there is the test of obedience, followed by the test of true religion, the test of brotherly love, the test of good works and being tested by being able to control the tongue. All of this in only 3 chapters. The last 2 chapters, James talks about wordliness and then allowing our riches to control us and he concludes with more practical advice in view of our Lord's coming back and our being ready. James talks about what is really important in this life: true, honest and sincere faith in Jesus Christ. He also talks about the common traps we fall into that just come so easily in today's world, like gossip, that tear down our faith and hurt others.

Some believe that James taught that we are saved by works. A careful reading of what James really said is that our works are important. Our faith will be recognized by our works and behavior. The truth of the matter is that we are saved by grace. There is nothing that you and I can do, other than believe in the Lord Jesus Christ WITH OUR WHOLE HEART, to be saved. Jesus did it all and that is called "Grace". I have done nothing to deserve salvation. I deserve God's wrath. There is nothing that I can do to make up for my sinful nature. Saying I am sorry is not enough for the price Jesus paid for me. Saying I was born this way is no excuse. In my humanity, I stand ashamed and a pitiful creature.

I know, that many who read this are probably trying to figure out what terrible things I must have in my past. I will give you a short list. I was born a sinner into a sinful world. My thoughts have not always been honest or pure. My mind has not always stayed on my Savior. I have not continualy walked in prayer all the days of my life. I have taken glory for myself at times when God should have received it all. I have been selfish and at times self-righteous. There have been days when I was filled with self-pity and did not trust God. There have been days when I have grumbled and complained and if I stood before God without the covering of the blood of Jesus, I would stand condemned. "When I stood condemned to die, He took my place."

Thank God, that He does not look at my works, He does not look at my deeds. He does not just hear my words but He looks into the heart of men and women to know the innerost thoughts. He knows everything. He knows it all, even what we think are hidden from others.

Psalm 44:20-21 reminds us:
"If we had forgotten the name of our God,
Or stretched out our hands to a foreign god,
Would not God search this out?
For He knows the secrets of the heart."

I am so thankful for the Grace of God. I am thankful for His mercy because without Jesus I would have no hope.

We live in a confused world, what God calls good, man calls bad. What God calls bad, man calls good. Sin is no longer considered something bad or wicked but merely a mistake made or bad judgment. We are more prone to be politically correct than Godly correct. We think we have no right to confront sin because we might be judging another. We think that God is confined to the little box we place Him in and that He is just ours to use when we need Him. We forget that He loves the whole world. We forget that He wants us in every action and thought we have to.........

Share God's Love,
Peggy