Sunday Praise & Worship 10:00
Christian Education - 10:00 - Casual Dress - Loving Childcare
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Key Verse: James 1:19 “My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”
James is called a general (or catholic) epistle, because it does not address a specific community. We credit its authorship to the bother of Jesus, who was himself martyred in Jerusalem. James is quite different from many of the “grace-based” messages in the New Testament, in that it focuses on personal holiness according to God’s law. Where Paul writes to the churches in Galatia, “we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ” (2:16), James observes, “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone” (2:24—both taken from the NRSV translation).
The book of James, a late addition to the New Testament canon, only twice mentions Jesus Christ by name, in 1:1 and 2:1, might be more accurately categorized as wisdom literature rather than an epistle. Luke Timothy Johnson, in his New Interpreter’s Bible commentary, writes this James’ 108 verses contain 59 imperatives, or “shoulds”. For James, faith is something you live, not merely believe or think. He states, in 2:17, that “faith without works is dead”; in 2:18, that he will by his works show you his faith; and in 2:19, that “even the demons believe—and they tremble”.
James encourages us to live our faith in real life, constantly comparing and revising our actions to the guidance of the law (see 1:25). Luke Timothy Johnson notes that the first chapter of James is an overview of what follows. Our passage, James 1:17-21, is expanded in 3:13-4:10, a comparison of earthly desire with that which comes from heaven. Other themes include testing and trials (1:2-4, 12 and 5:7-11); reversal of fortunes of rich and poor (1:9-10 and 2:1-6, 4:13-5:6); the use of the tongue (1:19-20 and 3:1-12); the necessity of acting out our faith (1:22-27 and 2:14-26).
Our passage comes after a discussion about temptation being the result of our owns desires, and before an exhortation to be doers of the word and not hearers only. Taken together, these three themes from a bridge of meaning: (1) our desires produce in us temptation, sin and death; (2) God has chosen us and planted his true word in our hearts; and (3) God’s word in us, humbly received, can produce in our lives goodness, freedom, and endurance. Takint the gift, then, nothing is possible.
But God has chosen us, and has planted the gift of his true word in our hearts, the message that has the power to save our souls. Because of God’s gift, we can listen more and talk less. We can refrain from anger, which does not accomplish God’s goodness. And we can put away all filth and evil—and welcome with humility and grace God’s blessing of membership in God’s family, the truth that sets us free. Christians are unique among all the religions of the world in celebrating this gift from God for all people. We do not earn it by our actions, our lives reflect the glory God has planted in our hearts, the truth that is not of this world, but like us, from above.
Questions for Reflection
The book of James, a late addition to the New Testament canon,
only twice mentions Jesus Christ by name, in 1:1 and 2:1, might be more
accurately categorized as wisdom literature rather than an epistle. Luke Timothy
Johnson, in his New Interpreter’s Bible commentary, writes this James’ 108
verses contain 59 imperatives, or “shoulds”. For James, faith isndent: -7.9024pt; margin-left: 7.9024pt">
1. James
contrasts anger that cannot produce goodness with humility that welcomes the
true word God has planted in our hearts. How does anger prevent you from
welcoming God’s word planted in your heart? (Read Psalm 38:8). In your life, how
do you see that humility is the opposite of anger (or that anger is an
expression of pride)? How does humility enable you to make room for God’s true
word to grow in your heart?
2. God
defines goodness and perfection (1:17-18). What does it mean to you that the
good and perfect God chose us (chose you) to be his own children/child? The NAS
translates verse 18 this way: “God willed to give us birth by the word of
truth”. How has the word of truth given you birth? What signs of the life of
this word of truth do you see in your life? 3. Read the key verse above. What do you think being quick to hear and slow to speak has to do with God’s true word planted in your heart? What is it that God wants you to hear?
For Next Week: Please read 1 Peter 3:8-11 (key verse: 3:8). Our theme is Partners in Ministry. The theme statement is: “To be partners, we must understand that we belong to each other, humbly thinking of others more than ourselves and encouraging one another.” How do you belong to other people at Skyline?
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