My Study on the Book of James
This Bible Study is for my own personal study and I paraphrased many of the scriptures for clarification of my understanding of the English language. My study came from the KJV translation, the only true translation. I encourage every reader to study the Bible for themselves. Always check someone else’s understanding of the Bible to make sure they have stayed in Truth.
IN THIS STUDY, WE WILL EXAMINE WHAT THE EPISTLE OF JAMES IS ABOUT AND SUMMARIZE ITS TEACHING SO WE CAN APPLY IT TO OUR LIVES.
The Book of James explains how to receive wisdom from God’s Word. Wisdom from God results in a life that is fruitful even in the face of hardships. James applies the teachings of Jesus, to everyday life. It explains what a life of obedience to Christ looks like.
The Gospel is living as people of God’s Kingdom now, not just in the future, not just when we die and go to heaven. James is not just a call to try to live a better life. It describes God’s Kingdom, not man’s wisdom. It’s not a band-aid for a broken and hurting world. It’s an entirely different way of looking at the world. It requires repentance: to see God, yourself, and the world differently.
THE GOAL OF THE BOOK OF JAMES IS NOTHING LESS THAN OUR FULL SPIRITUAL MATURITY AS JESUS’ DISCIPLES.
The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 is not just a good set of morals that you can try to live by. It’s impossible because the Kingdom of God cannot be entered into by man’s efforts.
The call of the Gospel is so much higher and the grace of God so much greater than we can ever imagine. The good news is not only that you can go to heaven when you die if you believe in Jesus. The Good News gets even better.
The Gospel is an invitation into a life in Christ that is impossible by man’s efforts or works. But God gives us His grace. Grace is not an excuse to live however you want. Grace is the empowerment on your heart to live out the Good News that Jesus preached. It’s a glorious Gospel.
James describes God’s vision for your life: to go from drifting and being tossed to and fro by the wind and the waves to receiving God’s true wisdom. This is God’s vision for your life and it will bring you into the fullness of Christ.
James is a call to perfection, or completeness, in Christ. It’s a call to take action, to live in obedience to Christ out of love. The Gospel is not trying harder to live for Christ. It’s nothing less than a new spiritual birth (John 3:3) until you are transformed into the image of Christ. It can never be entered in through trying to live a better life on your own strength. This can only be received through repentance, baptism, and power through the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:8; Acts 2:38).
The Gospel of Jesus Christ results in a righteousness that is way beyond the surface of what is often understood as religion. It’s not about religion, it’s about a true relationship with the living God, Jesus Christ.
James doesn’t allow for a Christianity that is lukewarm. It brings a much-needed balance and understanding to the Gospel.
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