The Strand Study Bible

JAMES Written From Jerusalem (See Acts 12:25) faithfully endure the trials and tribulations through which our Lord allows them to go. Martyrs will certainly earn this crown (Rev 2:10 & 4:10 ). 1:13 The question has been asked repeatedly: If Jesus could not sin (and He couldn’t - Heb 4:15), why was He tempted? Why was Jesus (God) put to the test if God cannot be tempted with evil ? The reason Jesus was put to the test to see if He would sin was to prove that He could not sin ; He could not fall . 1:14 It’s not wrong to want ( lust ) something (that’s what free will is all about). It’s only wrong to take something that’s not yours ( when lust hath conceived – vs 15 and II Sam 11:1-4). Free will is the option to want what you shouldn’t have. It is also the option to defer that choice to another ( Gen 3:22 ). 1:16 The mark of a mature Christian ( Do not err ) is not his ability to resist temptation, but to avoid it ( Mt 26:41 ). THE ADAGE IS TRUE: If we do not want to err and reap the fruits of sin, then we need to stay out of the Devil’s orchard 1:17 a There is only one kind of “ perfect gift” –the kind that’s free , insured and comes with a service contract . There are three gifts that God has purchased at a great price ( Mt 13:44,45 ), and all three are for the benefit of the believer: 1. Our salvation (Rom 5:15-18 and Jn 4:5-10/ Exo 14:13,30-31 ) A gift is not a perfect gift unless it’s free (Eph 2:8-9). Salvation is in every aspect, a work of God on behalf of man, and is in no sense a work of man on behalf of God. Salvation is of the Lord (Jonah 2:9). You cannot work for it (buy it) because its already been bought and paid for. God purchased the gift of salvation by giving us the SON (Jn 3:16). You cannot add to that purchase your good works, your baptism or your church affiliation. You only have one of two choices. You either receive salvation as a gift (Jn 1:12/Lk 23:39-43) or you reject it (Mt 27:15-26). There are no other choices. 2. The security of our salvation (Jn 10:27-28/ Psa 37:28 ) A gift is not a perfect gift unless it’s insured (Phil 1:6, II Tim 1:12 and Heb 7:25). God purchased the security of our salvation by giving us the SPIRIT (Acts 8:14-20, Eph 1:13-14). The Third Person of the Triune Godhead is God’s guarantee that He will give us everything He has promised us. The Spirit of God is God’s “earnest money” (down payment), guaranteeing us eternal security. Therefore, just as God purchased the gift of salvation by giving us His SON , so He purchased the security of our salvation by giving us His SPIRIT . 3. The servicing of our salvation (Eph 4:7-13/ Num 8:19 ) A gift is not a perfect gift unless it’s serviced (Colo 1:25-28). If God spared not His SON in order to purchase the gift of our salvation (Rom 8:32) and spared not His SPIRIT (or His feelings – Eph 4:30) in order to secure the gift of our salvation (II Cor 1:21-22), why would he spare His servants whom He has called to service our salvation? Who among God’s people hasn’t benefited from the book of Job (Job 1:6-12 & 2:1-6), Jeremiah (Jere 20:7-10 and Lam 3:1-20), Ezekiel (Ezk 2:1-8), or Hosea (Hos 1:1-9), etc. (Mt 23:37 and Lk 11:47-51)? A gift can be purchased and insured, but if it’s not serviced it will fail to keep it’s original value. God’s desire for the ones whom He has salvaged is to preserve them and present them unto Himself blameless (Colo 1:20-22) and unblemished (Eph 5:25-27). Thus, God has no problem spending everything that’s dear to Him (His SON , His SPIRIT and His servants) just to purchase a gift that’s free , insured and serviced . NOTE - If God’s people are not in church like they should be, how can God service what He has purchased and insured ? 1:17 b God does not change like “shifting shadows” (the meaning behind: “ shadow of turning” ). He is set in His ways. He is eternally immutable ( Heb 6:13-18 ). 1:18 a Many within the Calvinistic side of Christianity love to use this portion of verse 18 ( Of his own will begat he us ) to prove the unconditional election part of their doctrine of predestination ( Mt 28:19a ), which states that God predestines ( Of his own will ) those who will go to Heaven and those who will go to Hell. However, the word “ begat” demands that there be two parties (two wills) involved in the process of conception –there is no other way for a conception to take place. His will + your will = birth! 1:18 b According to Romans 8:23, the “firstfruits” is the presence of the HOLY SPIRIT (Eph 1:13-14). As Christians, we are to be a “ kind of firstfruits .” Meaning: We are to bring about the same kind of unity amongst the brethren that the HOLY SPIRIT has brought to us (Psa 133:1-3). We do this via the “ fruit of the Spirit ” (Gal 5:22-23). 1:19a As Christians, we were given two ears and one mouth so we would “listen” ( swift to hear ) twice as much as we talk. Our FATHER isn’t interested in hearing from us (prayer) until we’ve first heard from Him (His Word). And that makes perfect sense. How do you know what to pray, if you don’t know how to pray? Hearing from God (His Word) is a prerequisite to God hearing from you (prayer - Job 35:13 ). 2084

1:19b As Christians, we are admonished to speak less ( slow to speak ), and listen more. THE ADAGE IS TRUE: If we hold our tongue now, we won’t have to eat our words later 1:22 God is more interested in our walk ( doers of the word ) than our talk. THE ADAGE IS TRUE: Our walk talks and our talk talks, but our walk talks louder than our talk talks 1:26 a THE ADAGE IS TRUE: The less we say; the less we’ll sin (Prov 10:19 & 17:27-28)

1:26 b This word ( religion ) is the Greek word θUKσNHLD ( threskeia ). Threskeia is used five times in the NT: Acts 26:5, Jms 1:26,26,27 and Colo 2:18, where it is translated “ worshipping .” In every case but one (Jms 1:27), this word has a negative connotation. Life is not about religion; it’s about a relationship with JESUS CHRIST . 2:1 Because God is no “respector of persons;” He is no respector of movements, which persons create. 2:9 It is a sin to show favoritism (respect of persons). Favoritism reveals a false system of value. 2:10 People who rely on their own “good works” ( whosoever shall keep the whole law ) for salvation place themselves under an obligation they cannot meet –perfect obedience ( Rom 3:10,23 a,b , Gal 3:10 and Mt 19:25 ). One sin, great or small ( and yet offend in one point ), condemns a person to Hell ( he is guilty of all ).