Category Archives: James

“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.” (James 3:1–2, ESV) WhenContinue reading “Grave Responsibility (James 3:1-2)”

“Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:25–26, AV) I met a woman one time who thought that she had sinned soContinue reading “Elevating the Lowly (James 2:25-26)”

“Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was calledContinue reading “Faith-Works Partnership (James 2:21-26)”

“But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:20, AV) Let us say that you had developed a cure for a most dreaded disease. You knew that it would work 100% effectively. Yet, with both the knowledge that it would work and the belief that it would work, youContinue reading “Uselessness or Usefulness (James 2:20)”

“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” (James 2:19, AV) The great American hero, GI Joe’s famous statement is, “Knowing is half the battle.” This statement came as a public service announcement that ended each one of the 1980 GI Joe cartoons. There would be aContinue reading “Half the Battle (James 2:19)”

“Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” (James 2:18, AV) It might have been about 6 months to a year after the Lord saved me as I read a Gideon Bible in aContinue reading “Living Witness (James 2:18)”

“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?” . . . “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” (James 2:14, 17, AV) I worked with a man one time who talked a big game. One of theContinue reading “Dead Faith (James 2:14-17)”

“For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” (James 2:13, AV) I heard an old story regarding Napoleon, the French dictator, that goes something like this. (I cannot verify the veracity of the story and do not know its origin.) Napoleon was presiding over the executionContinue reading “Manifestation of Mercy (James 2:13)”

“So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.” (James 2:12, AV) The United States is considered to be the land of the free. This phrase is sung in our national anthem. Yet, with freedom, there comes responsibility. Freedom demands responsible people. Without responsible people freedom isContinue reading “Freedom and Responsibility (James 2:12)”

“If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” (James 2:8–9, AV) I have met people who harbor prejudices against others deep in their heart. TheyContinue reading “Seriousness of Prejudice (James 2:8-11)”