The Brother of the Most Famous and Influential Person in History
He was a contributor to the best-selling book in the world
It is believed by many that James, also known as James the Just, was the half-brother of Jesus, the most famous and influential person ever to live. He was an early leader of the Jerusalem Church in the Apostolic Age. James died as a martyr in the 60s A.D.
The Epistle of James is estimated to have been written around 45 A.D., making it the earliest document included in the New Testament of the Bible. Merrill Frederick Unger wrote in his Bible Handbook:
“If the several passages referring to Christ were eliminated, the whole epistle would be as proper in the canon of the Old Testament as it is in the New Testament. In fact, the epistle could be described as an interpretation of the Old Testament law and the Sermon on the Mount in the light of the Gospel of Christ.”
Written for Jewish Christians, the book of James is universal in its message for all Christians. James encourages Christians to grow in knowledge and is often considered the Proverbs of the New Testament.
The following quotes offer a reasonable summary of the book of James. To grasp its full impact, I recommend you read the entire book.
Let’s look at some of the wisdom this little book of the Bible contains. Most of the following verses are from the New International Version and New King James Version of the Bible.
Wisdom
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” James 1:19
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“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James” 3:13
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17
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“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” James 4:4
Watch Your Heart
“But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.” James 3:14–15
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“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:8–10
Faith & Deeds
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” James 1:2–3
But the rich should take pride in their humiliation — since they will pass away like a wild flower”. James 1:10
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“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.” James 1:22–24
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“But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.” James 2:18
“Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” James 2:5
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“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” James 2:14–17
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“You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” James 2:20
“You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.” James 2:22
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“You see that people are justified by what they do and not by faith alone.” James 2:24
“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” James 2:26
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“You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” James 4:2b-3
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“Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.” James 5:13–15
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“And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:15–16
The Rich
“For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.” James 1:11
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“But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?” James 2:6
“Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you.” James 5:1
Godly Speech
“For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,” James 2:12
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“Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.” James 4:11
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“Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear — not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.” James 5:12
The Law
“But those who look intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continue in it — not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it — they will be blessed in what they do.” James 1:25
“For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.” James 2:11
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“There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you — who are you to judge your neighbor?” James 4:12
The book of James is full of wisdom to help you live a good, full, healthy, blessed life should you choose to abide by its words. Like life, the book is real — it can be harsh, yet is full of love, it can be difficult to apply, yet is easy to understand, it warns us what to avoid, as well as what to embrace — in other words, it is full of wisdom! I leave you with this final quote to challenge you in seeking more wisdom in your life.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:5–6
He is faithful and true and will provide all the wisdom you can ever want. Just ask and receive it into your life!
Bill Abbate Leadership Writer and Editor in ILLUMINATION.
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