David Pawson - A Commentary on James Pt3 - Hearers and Doers

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Thoughtful Thoughts 15.11.24 by John Dunning. James Part 3

A). INTRODUCTION…

Catch-up…

James introduces the importance of putting faith into practice in ch. 1-2.?

Chapter 1.

Themes are wisdom, inequities, temptations.

James 1:2-4 Trials build spiritual maturity.?

1:13-17. Temptation is not from God, but from man’s desires. (God tests in order to promote, and which is within our ability to resist.)Sin leads to death.

1:25 A man must put into practice what he knows God requires.?

1:27? Caring for the fatherless and destitute widows is required.

Chapter 2.

And in ch. 2 themes are practising our faith by not showing partiality.

James 2:1-4? It is ungodly to treat the rich better than those who just happen to be poor. James 2:5-13 God’s law requires we avoid giving preference to the rich. And the extent to which we are merciful is taken into account on the day of judgement.

There is more than that, like treating all men impartially, but that is a summary catch up.?

2:17-26… James exhorts his Messianic Jewish readers by saying that faith without works is dead. (Which is perhaps the best known verse in this book).

B). MOVING ON: Chapter 3.

a). The tongue…

Chapter 3 starts by explaining “how” faith must be worked out in practice, with the first specific point being our manner of speech, and moving on to our attitude and showing mercy.

James teaches that the words we speak is a measure of spiritual maturity.

“Though it be with great difficulty, we must learn to control our tongue and use it wisely” (3:2-8) & “it is inconsistent to spew from the same mouth blessing and cursing” (3:9-12).

Jesus…

In spite of what Luther thought, James is in line with what Jesus said in Luke 6:44-46. “44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit — figs aren’t picked from thorn bushes, nor grapes from a briar patch. 45 The good person produces good things from the store of good in his heart, while the evil person produces evil things from the store of evil in his heart. For his mouth speaks what overflows from his heart. 46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ but not do what I say?” (Complete Jewish Bible.)

b). James provides a warning to those wanting to be teachers. As I write this, not only has the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury had to resign, but there is a call for 30 more bishops to resign and for the disestablishment in England of the Anglican Church, with only 20% of the British wanting to keep it as the established church, according to a YouGov poll.?

Prophets spoke because God gave them a burden to speak. James advises against anyone wanting to become a teacher, as teachers use their tongue a lot, and teachers are going to face a higher standard on the Day of Judgement because of what they say. (Paul warns of the same thing).?

c). The impartiality of God…

The fact that teachers will be judged by that higher standard is an example of the impartiality of God. Teachers need to heed the warning. Teachers have a very heavy responsibility. “Be not many of you teachers my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgement” (3:1).?

d). True wisdom…?

In verses 3:13-18 the writer discusses the true wisdom that is available to us, that is from above.

3). Epilogue…

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ but not do what I say?” James 3:46?

(Complete Jewish Bible.)

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Luke 18:9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” ( Cf. Jesus teaching… Luke 18:9-14 NIV)

The prophetic call is “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18.)

Having repented of sin, the call is “...for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”?(1 Peter 1:16).

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

A funeral is a sobering reminder of how short a time we have to live the way God intended. The day of judgement brings us back to how we live now, which affects our eternity.?

Life is short.?

Eternity is forever!?

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This is John Dunning signing off from “Thoughtful Thoughts” for another week.

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