James Week 3 1

19-20 New King James – “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” New Living – “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.” 2

19-20 These adjectives don’t describe the nature of the action… But the attitude governing them Isn’t that always the harder thing? We can often do something that we don’t necessarily ‘buy into’ James wants them to buy into these 3

"We might wonder why the ever-practical James does not proceed to outline schemes of daily Bible reading or the like, for surely these are the ways in which we offer a willing ear to the voice of God. But he does not help us in this way. Rather, he goes deeper, for there is little point in schemes and times if we have not got an attentive spirit. It is possible to be unfailingly regular in Bible reading, but to achieve no more than to have moved the book- mark forward." - J. A. Motyer 4

Hmm… So that’s an interesting statement What areas of our christian walk do we just “move the bookmark forward?” How do we take this and improve our commitment? How do we ensure that those things that we do try to give some regularity to don’t turn into simply routine?

Verse 21a Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness. – Filthiness – moral defilement – Wickedness – deliberate and determined sin – Hidden and known only to God and the sinner A conditional statement… It’s necessary for receiving the word It’s a ‘spirit vs. flesh’ thing… 6

Verse 21b In humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls Humility – not weakness Meekness which is great inner strength or power under control Emptying ourselves of any perceived rights or privileges That’s how God wants us to receive His word 7

The gardener in me… ‘the implanted word ’ or the ‘word planted’ When you think of planting something what do you think of…? You don’t just hide something… You ‘plant’ it so IT can grow Compare this to Matthew 13 8

Save our souls? Aren’t they already saved? WARNING – church words cometh Justification: saves us from the penalty of sin Sanctification: saves us from the power of sin Glorification: saves us from the presence of sin James is talking about the sanctification part… An ongoing activity 9

Verses But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. 10

Verse Doers! Must be a doer! Mirrors… such an interesting analogy Mirrors don’t lie We look in a mirror to do what? 11

verses If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. 27 Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. 12

verses Dog-gone it! Discipline again… Oh to control one’s tongue… such a challenge An interesting view into James views on “religious/religion” Remember the audience… If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 13

verses Caring for orphans and widows – Genesis 22:21-22 – Psalms 82:3-4 Refusing to let the world corrupt you They are not to wait until the orphans or widows are in a position to give them something back… Don’t look to the world for honor in so doing.. Matthew 6:1-4 14

JAMES 2 FAVORITISM FORBIDDEN FAITH AND DEEDS Next week 15