Friday: Further Study: James, the Lord’s Brother
Further Study: “His brothers often brought forward the philosophy of the Pharisees, which was threadbare and hoary with age, and presumed to think that they could teach Him who understood all truth, and comprehended all mysteries. They freely condemned that which they could not understand. Their reproaches probed Him to the quick, and His soul was wearied and distressed. They avowed faith in God, and thought they were vindicating God, when God was with them in the flesh, and they knew Him not.
-Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 326.
These things made His path a thorny one to travel. So pained was Christ by the misapprehension in His own home that it was a relief to Him to go where it did not exist.
Discussion Questions:
- The letter of James is essentially a handbook on practical Christian living. It may even have been the first New Testament book written (sometime between A.D. 44 and 49). That is, besides it being a book on theology, it also tells us how to live out the Christian life. Why is living out what we believe just as, if not more, important than what we believe? Or is what we believe more important than how we live out that belief? For instance, what’s better: a sincere Sunday keeper who truly and seriously keeps the first day of the week holy or an insincere Sabbath keeper who
keeps
the seventh-day Sabbath but doesn’t really take it all that seriously? Give reasons for your answer. - As we have seen in Sunday’s study, James was the brother of Jesus. In other words, though Jesus was God Himself, the Creator of all that was made, He was also human, one of us, even to the point that He had siblings. How does this amazing concept help us to understand how the vast gap between heaven and a fallen world was bridged? What does it say to us, too, about the lengths that God goes to in order to save fallen humanity? How does the humanity of Christ help us understand how we can have victory over sin? How does the humanity of Christ assure us that God understands the reality of our toils and struggles?
- This week’s lesson mentioned that humility was a theme in James’s letter. Why is humility so important in the Christian life? That is, in light of the Cross and what happened there, how dare any of us ever assume an attitude of arrogance or self-importance, especially when it comes to spiritual matters?
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James’ remarkable turn-around or conversion experience is a beneficial lesson to last day believers tasked with sharing the Three Angels’ Messages, which includes an unmistakable warning component.
The Messiah has bequeathed to us a tough Gospel message, centered on love, but marked by self-denial, cross-bearing and patiently suffering through persecution and victimization (Luke 9:23; Matthew 24:9, 13). At the same time the Lord has promised a soft heart to the faithful (Ezekiel 36:26).
The people of faith ought to be guarded against twisting the pattern of the Redeemer. The Christian needs to resist the temptation to preach a soft message and treat individuals in a hard (uncharitable) way. Rather we are tasked to share a tough message, like Christ did (John 6:66) and relate to individuals with a soft heart, like Jesus did (Luke 22:32; John 21:15).
The tenderness and compassion shown to Peter was apparently also shown to James in his meeting with the risen Savior (1 Corinthians 15:7). James accepted the love package, of both the tough Gospel message and the soft treatment. Others have and will as the followers of Christ reach out.
James: a handbook, a how to book for practical Christian living? Yes or No?
No it is not a D.I.Y. Book, because we can do nothing on our own.
Yes it is a picture of people who have received a changed heart from Jesus, we look at it and realize what we are missing, what we would like to be, then we go to Jesus and submit ouselves and ask Him to change us to be like Him.
If we read the book of James with this frame of reference we will be blessed.
For instance, what’s better: a sincere Sunday keeper who truly and seriously keeps the first day of the week holy or an insincere Sabbath keeper who keeps the seventh-day Sabbath but doesn’t really take it all that seriously?
This question is a trap! Because the answer is none of the above!
To be sincerely wrong is dangerous because we will be deceived 2 Thess 2:8-12.
It is also dangerous to know the truth but not allow it to impact your life. 2 Tim 3:5 - having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof. We will be like the foolish virgins who didn't have enough oil and when they got to the door and Jesus turned them away saying "I don't know you"
Jesus calls us to abide in His Word, to love Him and keep His commandments in our hearts.
He sends the Holy Spirit to lead us in to all truth. God pours out His love into our hearts and gives us His peace.
IMHO
Any person be it in religion, politics, sexual orientation, race, social standing, poor, wealthy, etc; that takes on the stance I am RIGHT you are WRONG, willfully opens themselves to the realm of demons that pervasively exist in and around the the very nature of sinful fallen flesh. Romans 6:6-23
Combining these two, Christian tenets and the sinful fallen flesh nature seems super dangerous and may lead to strong delusion. 2 Thessalonians 2:11
One of Jesus Christ main missions is as the Three Angels message portends. To wake us up from the sleep of mental/spiritual unconsciousness into the state God calls stillness (Psalm 46:10). Is not this where we meet God through Christ Jesus' Holy Spirit....at an intellectual level where unabated intelligence thrives. “Come out of her my people...” Revelation 18:4. Come out of the confusion of unconscious existence into an awakened consciousness and a whole understanding of your Being, Matthew 5:48 . We come out and away from Babylon, we stand firm in this faith, KNOWING that God is I AM/Emmanuel=God with us, God in Us .
I personally feel if there every was a time, “We are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God that worketh in you to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13. It is NOW and always will be, NOW!
These plagues that Revelation 18 warns of are of the mind- spirit/unconsciousness vs. consciousness. And Literal, like “EBOLA HEMORRHAGIC FEVER.”
Amen! NOW is the time to invite the Holy Spirit into our hearts to produce the thoughts and feelings of Jesus in us and thereby develop His character in us.