Practical Living(Wisdom of God)

Dr. Eric Reese

The traditional author is James (Hebrew, "Jacob"), the half-brother of Jesus (one of four sons from Mary and Joseph (cf. Matt. 13:55; Mark 6:3). He was the leader of the Jerusalem Church (A.D. 48-62

James and Jude are half brother of Jesus in

the New Testament

James

This was Martin Luther's least favorite book in the New Testament because it seems to contradict Paul's "justification by faith" emphasis in Romans and Galatians (i.e., James 2:14-26)

Martin thought James was preaching you can get save through works.

James

*He was called "James the Just" and later nicknamed "camel knees" because he constantly prayed on his knees

 *James was not a believer until after the resurrection (cf. Mark 3:21,31; John 7:5). Jesus appeared to him personally after the resurrection (cf. 1 Cor. 15:7)

James

 This is a very different genre from other NT books

1. very much like the book of Proverbs (i.e., wisdom literature) spoken by a fiery prophet

2. written early after Jesus' death and still

very Jewish and practical. Its emphasis is practical living—faith in action

James

3. In some ways the style is very similar to both Jewish wisdom teachers and Greek and Roman moral itinerant teachers (like the Stoics). Some examples are:

A. loose structure (jumping from one subject to another)

B. many imperatives (54 of them)

C. diatribe (a supposed objector asking questions, cf. James 2:18; 4:13). This is also seen in Malachi, Romans, and 1 John.

James

1. This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings!

The reference to "the twelve tribes that are scattered over the world" (James 1:1) The Book of James is directed to Jewish Christians scattered among all the nations.( Outside of Palestine)

James 1: 1

2. Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 

3.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 

4.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

James 1:2-4

James in other words is stating in your walk with Christ we will have difficult days.

Problem NOBODY wants to go through difficult times

Practical Living

The only road to maturity is Problems in life.Hebrew 5: 8

Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.

Problems is what make your Muscles of Faith grow.

5. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 

6. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 

(The Greek word for If really means Since you do need wisdom

Since we all have problems, Since we all will make bad decisions…….

James 1:5-6

Divided Heart/ Divided Mind

12. God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

James 1-12

From a metallurgic perspective, steel tempering is made by overheating certain alloys or specific compounds. Upon reaching a certain heating point, something changes in the structure of those alloys. And I mean it, something changes deep down, their atoms are actually rearranging. The molecular structure of the alloy is modified, resulting in a much more tougher and ductile material.

How Do You Temper Steel?

Some people would spell LOVE= TIME

But I would also add OBEY

ITS not what you say it ITS what you do and how you live your life.

New Living Translation"So why do you keep calling me 'Lord, Lord!' when you don't do what I say?

Love God

Christianity is a Life Style

It’s an Encounter with Christ – It’s a moment when you say, I realize I am a sinner and need help from a LOVING GOD!

Turning away for your way of life, Giving your life to Christ.

That encounter CHANGES your life. No Change No Christ.

Romans 6:4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.