James (Faith expressed through works)
Author: James the brother of Lord Jesus Christ.
Date: 44-50 AD. This is perhaps the first book written in the New Testament.
Place: Jerusalem.
For whom: The book was addressed to the 12-tribes scattered among the nations.
Uniqueness of the book: This book is a master piece of didactic writing. The book has strong Jewish flavour along with powerful references of Christian assembly. James used nature to illustrate many spiritual truths.
James the just
Purpose:
The book of James is a powerful and practical manual for applying our faith to our everyday life. James shows that faith ultimately brings a heart transformation for the believer in his conduct and character.
Theme: James focusses on godly behaviour and obedience to the Word of God. He emphasizes both on faith and works, but writes very clearly that we are justified by faith, but it needs to be expressed through works of faith unlike the works of the law.
Key verses:
- “ If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” (1:5)
- “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” (1:26)
- “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?” (2:14)
- “Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small part. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” (3:5-6)
- “Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.” (5:17).