Salvation: past, present, future 

book-of-james-salvation

James, Part 9

He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created… Therefore, put away all the filth and evil in your lives and humbly accept the word planted in you, for it has the power to save your souls. 

James 1:18, 21

The introduction to James’s letter makes it clear that he is writing to people who have put their faith in Jesus and have been regenerated (born-again). In verse 18, James affirms they had experienced “birth through the word of truth,” and he identifies them as examples of God’s grace and goodness (“first fruits”). Then we come to verse 21, where salvation is described as something yet to come. “Humbly accept the Word,” James says, “because it has the power to save your souls.”

Quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger

james-present

James, Part 8

He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created. Understand this, dear brothers and sisters: Everyone must be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore, put away all the filth and evil in your lives and humbly accept the word planted in you, for it has the power to save your souls. 
James 1:18-21

Ten or twelve years had passed since Jesus had ascended to heaven. The church was growing, but persecution had scattered Christ followers all over the empire. Many were without spiritual guidance.  James, half-brother of Jesus and the first pastor of the church in Jerusalem, wrote a letter to encourage those who followed the way of Jesus. In verse 18, he speaks of the new birth that comes through God’s Word. Those who are born again are described as the “first fruits” of God’s grace.

How to overcome temptation 

How to overcome temptation

James, Part 7 

No one, when tempted, should say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted by evil, and he never tempts anyone else. But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 
James 1:13–15

Do not be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. 
James 1:16–18

James has much to say about how followers of Jesus are to overcome temptation, but his instructions sound foreign to many Christians–we don’t see the connection between what James says about temptation in verses 13–15, and what he says about God in verses 16–18. But the connection is one we don’t want to miss: James is telling us how to overcome temptation. 

How our desires sabotage our best intentions  

How our desires sabotage our best intentions

James, Part 6 

No one, when tempted, should say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted by evil, and he never tempts anyone else. But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
James 1:13–15

In the 1970’s, comedian Flip Wilson made it popular to say, “the Devil made me do it,” to excuse bad behavior. It was meant as a joke, but many of us are willing to believe it is true. The Bible, on the other hand, unequivocally says that we can’t fault the Devil for our sins.  So if we can’t blame the Devil, who can we blame? Well, let’s start with this: most of us look at sin as a single action, but God sees sin as a process. James outlines four steps: