Craig Cooper

Where do we come from? We read of our origin story in Genesis 2:7, “The Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” All that exists comes from God. He is our Creator. Paul writes in Colossians, “For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him” (Col 1:16). Nothing exists that God has not created.

Further, in Genesis 2:7, we are told that man did not have life until God “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.” God takes dust from the ground and forms it into a human being. We can picture Adam (the first man) with hair, skin, organs, and the sort. He had practically all he needed, but he was not yet living. Then, God literally breathed life into him, and he became a living being.

When we look back to the first chapter of Genesis, we read, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Gen 1:27). We human beings have been made in the very image of God. This is why Orthodox Christians understand that all of life is sacred. The term “Imago Dei,” which comes from the Latin version of the Bible, meaning “image of God,” is at the center of this belief. The Bible teaches that human beings are made in the image of God; they are His metaphysical expression. Genesis 1:27 does not imply that God is in human form but that humans are in the image of God in their moral, spiritual, and intellectual essence. Therefore, humans reflect God’s divine nature in their ability to achieve the unique characteristics with which they have been endowed.

Then, where do I come from? I came from God, Who created me in His likeness. This reality leads me to an understanding of why I am here. I have been created to live in relationship with God. Not only am I a living being through the life-giving breath of God, but as a follower of Christ, I have His very Spirit indwelling me. The Spirit of God sets me free, empowering me to live as an image bearer of the Lord, reflecting His love and character, and being on mission with Him. His Spirit identifies me as God’s beloved child (see: Rom 8).

Our origin, created by God, is the same whether we accept it as truth or not. For those who do, the only obvious choice is to receive Christ as Lord and Savior and walk with Him. For those who don’t, they are left attempting to navigate the dark corridors of false assumptions and weak presuppositions, which can never help us answer why we are here. On the contrary, knowing I come from God presents me with the only right path to understanding why I am here. As His created beloved being, I must listen to Him, my Creator, following the way He has in store for me. This is true for all us image-bearers of our loving and magnificent Creator. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!

Answering the question “Who am I,” is closely connected to “Where do I come from.” We read in Genesis 1:27, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” I want to answer the question, “Who am I,” but I must begin by stating that all people are created in the image of God. This is true of unbelievers estranged from God as well as believers who are in a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ. I will dig into this truth in greater detail when answering, “Where do I come from,” but for now will note that this is what makes us human beings distinct from the rest of God’s creation. All of us are fashioned in the image of God.

Being made in the image of God is true of unbelievers and believers. But, there are differences in our identity as well. God is everyone’s Creator, but we are born estranged from God. We have been created to reflect God’s love and character and be on mission with Him, but we are not automatically in a relationship with Him that allows this to be a reality in our lives. This is why Jesus came, to die for our sins and be resurrected for our salvation (Rom 4:25). The Bible teaches us that we are born “dead in our sins” and alienated from God (Eph 2:1-3). This is why unbelievers, in Scripture, are referred to as sinners. Their identity is tied to their estrangement from God.

The believer has a different identity from the unbeliever. The believer has been “born again” or spiritually renewed (John 3:3). We find in the Bible that believers walk in new life (Rom 6:4), free of condemnation (Rom 8:1), reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:18), and citizens of heaven (Phil 3:20). The identity of the believer that I find myself often amazed at is that a believer is a child of God (John 1:12). The term used in the New Testament for the believer is saint. A saint is one set apart for Christ. A saint is a disciple of Christ, one who is following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and committed to the mission of Jesus.

Although the believer, formerly an unbeliever, was estranged from God, they are reconciled to God through receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Since God is the ultimate purpose and reason for our existence, our identity is found in Him and Him alone. Therefore, I am a beloved child of God. This is true of every believer and offered to the unbeliever. In fact, if you have yet to receive Christ as Savior and Lord, I encourage you to do so. God has provided through Christ the way you can be reconciled to Him, granting you the identity you have been created to possess.

So, the answer to the question, “Who am I,” is not defined in terms of who we are in and of ourselves. It’s described in our being image bears of God and in terms of whether or not we have received Jesus as Savior and Lord. In other words, who I am as a believer is wrapped up in the action of God in me, my relationship with Him, and God’s purpose for me. Who we are is not self-focused but God-centered. Ultimately, discovering who I am is not an end in itself but for the sake of walking in a right relationship with Him as His beloved child. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!

When you begin to study the book of James, you discover from the beginning (1:2-4) that life’s trials are not unnatural barriers to our walk with God but the appointed way forward to spiritual maturity. He at once calls us to prayer. James ends where he began, calling us to pray before he concludes by addressing care for someone “wandering from the truth.”

In the closing of James (5:13-20), we find five truths about prayer and care James believes are important that we know. First, James looks at the individual at prayer. He writes, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise” (v. 13). Suffering or trouble can lead to a rebellious attitude against God and the abandonment of spiritual practices. Equally, times of ease can lead to complacency, spiritual laziness, and the assertion that we can cope with our lives apart from dependence on God. James encourages us that neither troubles nor ease should find us without a God-honoring response in prayer and song. We have a God for all seasons. Therefore, it’s important to James that we believe prayer and praise are the truest response to all circumstances.

Second, James looks at elders at prayer. We read, “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven” (5:14-15). James conceives a sick person inviting the elders, the leaders of a local church to which this ailing person belongs, to come and minister to him or her. This is the only passage in the New Testament that gives such direct advice concerning the ministry of healing within the church. Much could be written about the teaching of these verses, but what’s important to James is that we believe prayer is the genuine response to the problem of serious illness.

Third, James looks at friends at prayer. He writes, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (5:16a). There is no doubt that Christians who are burdened by some sin often seek the counsel of a close friend and they pray together for deliverance and cleansing healing. But this is not what James is speaking of here, and his chosen wording will not allow this interpretation. James is directly talking about one believer offending another, then going privately to confess what they have done is wrong, asking to be forgiven, and joining in prayer for healing. It’s important to James that we believe that prayer has the power to heal the sin-sick soul and sin-torn fellowship (v. 16a).

Fourth, James looks at the prayer of a righteous person. We read, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months, it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit” (5:16b-18). To drive home the truth of the power of prayer, James illustrates it from the account of Elijah. Prayer is often an untapped resource. The illustration from Elijah’s life shows that prayer carries a mighty punch. He prayed for drought, and there was no rain for three years; then prayed for rain, and it rained. Now that’s power!

What does James mean by “a righteous person?” The word “righteous” has a forbidding ring. It seems to rule out us and our prayers. And, of course, if we are to understand it to mean perfect moral character and integrity, we would be ruled out. But this is not what James means, and it’s for this reason that James introduces this illustration of Elijah, who, he notes, “was a man with a nature like ours.” Elijah was flawed like you and me. Elijah was an ordinary person, but he was right with God – or, to put things in the sort of terminology that we find in James’ letter, his faith was active in his works, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness (James 2:22-23). What’s the point? Those who by grace have been given the status of righteousness in God’s sight (believers) have been brought into a realm where effective prayer operates and have been given the right to exercise a ministry of prayer. It’s important to James that we believe prayer is powerful and has supernatural results when engaged by believers (vv. 16b-18).

Fifth and lastly. James looks at how believers ought to care for fellow believers. He concludes, “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (5:19-20). Every Christian Fellowship is a place of truth and holiness. Each of us knows within ourselves how easy it is to slip away from a full commitment to our Lord. Many of us know what a blessing it is to have a brother or sister in Christ run after us, direct us in the right way and bring us back to God. It’s every believer’s responsibility in a local church to watch out for the welfare of other believers. We are called to bring the wanderer within the embrace of the finished work of Christ. When we become aware of someone from our fellowship lapsing from the truth or an error in their life, we don’t sound the trumpet and make it public, but simply out of love, which covers a multitude of sins, we act in love, and shares the truth with that person in the hope they will abide in Christ. It’s important to James that we believe that care for fellow believers is the responsibility of every believer (vv. 19-20).

James wrote this letter bearing his name to instruct believers on how to practically live the Christian life. He started, in chapter 1, by drawing us to prayer and right fellowship with God and fellow believers amid all circumstances and ended with the same. When everything is said and done, James teaches us that the Christian life is not only a matter of belief but practice; we are to live what we believe. This is evidenced, in part, by how we engage in prayer and care for other believers. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!

When we approach the end of the book of James, we discover a reappearance of the key idea of patient endurance. James begins his letter with a call to patient endurance under a trial (1:2-4), and we discovered that holding up through difficulties and afflictions God allows in life is actually the pathway of sanctification, the progressive road of becoming more and more like Jesus in love, character, and mission. James’ conclusion to his letter (5:7-20) opens with the same theme set in a similar context to where he began. James encourages us to live with patient endurance by holding before us the prospects of the last Day when Christ returns.

The challenge for each of us is that the very circumstances that call for patient endurance often promote impatience and apathy. Remember that James is writing believers who have been scattered due to persecution. Many still face oppression simply for being followers of Christ. Therefore, James counsels these Christians to demonstrate patient endurance until the Lord’s coming. He proceeds to give four specific instructions concerning patient endurance.

Let’s begin by looking at James’ words in chapter 5, verses 7-9, “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.” James’s first instruction is to be patient and endure with the knowledge of the Lord’s coming (vv. 7-9).

In counseling us to demonstrate patient endurance until the coming of the Lord, James uses the example of the farmer who waits to reap from the earth a harvest. Nothing can hurry on the rains, and nothing can speed up the imminent return of the Lord. Therefore, as believers, we must “establish” our hearts, fix or strengthen them – have patient endurance. The prophet Isaiah shared this same teaching, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3).

James instructs us not to grumble or complain against one another as we wait. Instead, we need to watch our fellowship with others. James warns that such judging of others can lead to our own condemnation. We read in verse 9, “the Judge is standing at the door.” It’s biblically accurate that the true judge, our Lord, will bring every aspect of our service under review. For the believer, this is not a judgment of whether or not one is saved but what rewards one will receive or forfeit. The Scripture tells us that some believers will enter paradise with little reward (1 Cor 4:5). Keep this in mind, allowing our tongue to grumble and complain against another will rob us of the spiritual harvest through failure to cherish the family and fellowship of the people of God, our church family.

Then, we read, “As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job” (James 5:10-11a). James’s second instruction is to be patient and endure amidst suffering. Remember, in context, James is writing to a church that is no stranger to suffering.

James shares two examples of those who demonstrated patient endurance in suffering from the Old Testament. The first example is the prophets. He invites us to look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord and suffered. However, they exemplified patient endurance amid suffering. Similarly, we are to show patient endurance when we face suffering.

The second example is Job. Job was blessed because he had patient endurance. Job shows us how the Lord uses suffering in our lives. Job’s suffering was not his own doing. Yet, he trustingly committed himself to the Lord, even while suffering. As a result, God showed compassion and mercy to Job and gave him much more than he possessed before the time of suffering (Job 42:12). In the same way, James encourages us that the Lord will be compassionate and merciful to us as we trust in Him, leading to our growth in knowing Him (v.11).

Look at James 5:11, “Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.” So the third instruction James gives us is to be patient, endure, and you will be blessed. It’s clear that the result of patient endurance during suffering will be God pouring out His blessings on us. The Greek term used by James for blessing is in the Septuagint (a translation of the Old Testament into the Greek language) and throughout the New Testament to define the kind of happiness that comes from receiving favor from God. Think about it. Our Lord offers us a quality of life that we can enjoy despite suffering and persecution.

Patient endurance has great blessings to bring, but the blessings must be safeguarded, and the danger arises from the tongue. James writes, “But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation” (James 5:12). The fourth and final instruction James give us is to be on guard against your tongue. Why? Because experiences calling for patient endurance can quickly provoke looseness or rashness of speech. It would be great if only we could say that this would never happen among Christians, that we would never be duplicitous or offer misleading affirmations, promises, and undertakings to get our own way or get ourselves out of a tight corner. But, unfortunately, this is not the case. We must understand that an unguarded tongue is the chief threat to a life of patient endurance, focused on Christ, and right fellowship with others.

You don’t need me to tell you that life can be challenging. Even as believers, we can become tempted to be impatient and apathetic. James calls us to stay the course with patient endurance. After all, we can continue in patient endurance because we know the Lord is coming. Further, we can continue in patient endurance even in the face of suffering because we know we will be blessed. Lastly, we can continue in patient endurance but must be on guard against our very own tongue, which is a chief threat to such a Christ-focused life. The longer we walk with the Lord, the more we can look back with heartfelt thanks for the benefits reaped through experiences that, at the time, were full of grief and pain. Our Lord calls us to a life of patient endurance where we live without internal division with fellow believers, aren’t double-minded, and are wholeheartedly with Him. What awaits us is a growing relationship with our Lord today and a heavenly reward when He returns. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!

In the New Testament book bearing his name, James writes about how to practically live as a follower of Jesus Christ. It makes the exploration of James a worthy journey for those who are investigating the things of Christ, as well as those who have walked with the Lord for many years and anyone in between. Following James’ teachings on living wisely and humbly, he warns of three traps people can fall prey to that would hinder them from living in such a way.

The first trap is defamation. James writes, “Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 12 There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor” (James 4:11-12)? Defamation is the act of communicating statements about a person that injure that person’s reputation.

A defamatory word may be perfectly true; we don’t need to tell lies to defame. The fact that something is true does not always give us the right to say it. Defamation is forbidden as a breach of loving humility. Unfortunately, one of the common expressions of our flesh (old self) is to attempt to build ourselves up by tearing someone else down. My task as a believer is not to publicize others’ faults nor to privately berate them but to go to them and speak words of truth and life in loving humility. We avoid the pitfall of defaming others by seeking to walk in the lowliest humility with God, knowing that the way down leads upward in our ability to know our Lord and make Him known.

The second warning James has for us is against presumptuousness. We read, “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— 14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” (James 4:13-17). How do we guard against presumptuousness? James shares that first, we need to admit our ignorance (4:14). We don’t even know what is right around the corner. This fact alone ought to keep us humble before God, who created, controls, and apportions time. Second, we need to acknowledge our frailty (4:14). Our mortality should be enough to keep us from presuming we are in control and joyfully placing ourselves in God’s capable hands. Lastly, we need to accept our dependence. The very existence of tomorrow is as much part of our dependence on God as is our life itself and our abilities. We avoid the pitfall of being presumptuous by seeking to walk in the lowliest humility with God, knowing that He is in control and can be trusted.

The third and final warning James has for us is against covetousness. James 5:1-6, “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. 2 Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. 4 Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. 5 You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.”

We discover in James 5:1-6 three pits of covetousness. The first pit to avoid is hoarding (5:2-3). Hoarding is a denial of proper use (Lk 12:33), of true trust in the Lord (1 Tim 6:17), and of godly expectancy (1 Tim 6:18-19). It’s wasting what God has given us to steward on His behalf. The second pit to avoid is fraudulence (5:4). Specifically, James speaks against dishonest and dishonorable paying of wages to employees by their employers. Thirdly, we are to avoid the pit of indulgence (5:5). The picture James provides through His choice of words is a life without self-denial, corrupt, and offering no resistance to sin where there is a promise of comfort and joy, which can ultimately come only from the Lord.

James calls out in no uncertain terms the sin of covetousness that acknowledges only money and self as lord and plots a pathway ahead where others suffer. James is not saying it’s a sin to save, be wealthy, or enjoy what one has earned due to hard work and God’s blessings. Covetousness is saving without regard to kingdom stewardship of what the Lord has entrusted you. Covetousness is gaining wealth by dishonest means and dishonorable practices. James calls those trapped in the pit of covetousness to repent! We avoid the pitfall of covetousness by seeking to walk in the lowest humility with God, knowing that nothing goes unnoticed by our Lord.

Would we be surprised by how often the Lord has taken second place in the way we think and speak of others, plan, and use our wealth, no matter how large or small? In our life of wisely walking with Christ in humility, the traps of defamation, presumptuousness, and covetousness must be avoided. We avoid these pitfalls by seeking to walk in the lowest humility with God, knowing that the way down leads upwards in our ability to know our Lord and make Him known, He is in control and can be trusted, and nothing goes unnoticed by Him. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!

James writes about how to practically live as a follower of Jesus Christ. Two themes intertwined throughout James are wisdom and humility. It appears they both are meant to go together. Humility is of great importance to James, and as we’ll discover the Lord. It’s the main focus of the fourth chapter. We’re told that only as we humble ourselves in the sight of God will we be lifted up by the Lord (James 4:10). Although James makes that direct statement about humility, he also makes many indirect statements that have significant bearing upon living for Christ.

Humility is a personal quality in which an individual shows dependence on God and respect for other persons. The importance of this virtue springs from the fact that it’s found as part of the character of God. Since God humbles Himself, it ought not to surprise us that we are to do the same. The antonym of humility is pride. Pride is the excessive love of one’s superiority over God and others. James begins his teaching in James 4:1-10 on humility by looking at pride. James writes about the problem with pride. “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions” (James 4:1-3).

James writes about “quarrels” and “fights” happening among those in the church between Christians. Both of these words refer to interpersonal conflicts. James instructs us that we are involved in conflicts because of our desire for pleasure that conflicts with our very selves and others – simply put, pride. James uses the vocabulary of war to express fights and quarrels, animosities, and bad feelings among Christians, not because there is no other way to say it but because there is no better way to express the horror of it.

James moves from the effect of pride on our relationship with others to our relationship with God. As to prayer, it’s clear that prayer requests remain unanswered because whatever God would give in response would be spent on “your passions,” which would harm ourselves and our relationship with God and others. We find that the flow of prayer upwards and response downward is no longer operating. Interestingly, James does not say that God does not hear but that we do not receive. God hears. However, the answer is “no” or “not yet,” because we are incapable of receiving the heavenly gift. John shares with us the proper motive of prayer. “This is the confidence that we have toward God, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us” (1 John 5:14). The focus of Christian living and the motive of prayer is the same – God has called us to deny ourselves, forsake doing our own thing, and seek and do the will of God.

At its heart, our problem is a spiritual one. So, how do we get right with God and stay right with Him? Let’s look at the rest of our passage to find the answer. “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you” (James 4:4-10). The strong language used in verse 4 takes up a theme woven throughout the Bible. The Lord has chosen a people for Himself. The church is the bride of Christ. When we forsake the loving choice of God choosing us, and we receiving Christ, violating intimacy with our Lord, we are indeed acting “adulterous.”

James proceeds to instruct us that we must not deceive ourselves into thinking we can live full lives in intimate fellowship with God when we set our hearts toward the stuff of earth. The account given in the Bible of the hearts of people is that by nature, we are sinful. In our flesh, we are corrupted by sin. The spirit that naturally dwells in us produces all kinds of evil. However, when we receive Christ as Savior and Lord, His Spirit indwells us making us more and more like Him in love, character, and sharing in His purpose.

Further, the grace of God, which is contrary to the spirit of the world, corrects and cures the spirit that naturally dwells in us. It’s the work of the Spirit that teaches us to know the difference between pride and humility. After all, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). Therefore, we should resist pride in our hearts. The good news is that God gives help to the humble. In fact, to the humble, the Lord gives grace upon grace.

In Christ, we can live humbly. But how? James shares with us three actions empowering us to live humbly. Action number one, we need to submit ourselves to God (v. 7). As followers of Christ, we must have no doubt whose side we’re on. To live humbly in Christ, we must first acknowledge that we are indeed His, awaiting His leading, and ready to act when it comes. Secondly, we need to resist the devil (v. 7). We can never be truly humble if we’re unwilling to actively resist the devil. Resist is not a word of attack but defense. It speaks of one who is manning a defense at camp, knowing the enemy’s pressure is ceaseless, and she is constantly under fire. We do well to notice that it’s those who have submitted to God who are commanded to stand firm against the devil. I love the promise, “resist the devil, and he will flee!” lastly, we draw near to God. Fellowship with God, and its accompanying blessing of His fellowship with us, does not ‘just happen;’ we cannot drift into it any more than drifting into Christlikeness. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we obediently place God at the center of our life (drawing near to Him), and He enables us to walk in the power of His presence.

Humility is essential to the Christian life. James presents us with a practical picture of what it looks like to take this journey with Christ of living humbly (James 4:8b-9). We come to the Lord and, empowered by His Spirit, we begin walking with Him in God-honoring ways. His motives become our motives. We affirm in word and deed that we are His and His alone. We repent, not only acknowledging our sins but feeling remorse that we have sinned against God; we turn away from our sinful path and walk His righteous path. We depart from the shallow laughter and temporary happiness we craved and, instead, walk in the goodness and fullness of life in Christ.

The promise to the person who does this, who acts by submitting to God, resisting the devil, and drawing near to God, is that those who humble yourselves before the Lord; he will exalt (James 4:10). The prideful one, with all his excessive love of his superiority over God and others, along with all the sinful acts and desires that came with such thinking, now find themselves humble, showing dependence on God and respect for others. The way up is down. The lowly one becomes the lifted one. Think about it. There is a marked advantage to humility—eventually, it brings honor and, with-it genuine blessings and abundant life. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!

One of the lessons that James addresses throughout the book bearing his name is wisdom. James mentions two kinds of wisdom in James 3:13-18. One wisdom produces divisiveness and worthless sin, while the other brings a harvest of righteousness. According to St. Augustine, “The greatest good is wisdom.” These words could supply a decent summary of James’ teaching on godly wisdom.

No doubt, genuine wisdom from on high begins with knowing God. Therefore, godly wisdom is not merely intellectually understandable; it must be demonstrated practically in the Christian life. James shares how the believer is to live with wisdom in James 3:13-18.

The word James uses for wisdom in these verses means practical knowledge. Remember that context is king! What has James already shared with us about wisdom? We discover earlier in the book, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5). James assures us that when we ask God for wisdom, with a willingness to walk in it, we will receive it.

What James writes in James 3:13-18 helps us understand what wisdom from above is and how it should be used. James begins by helping us recognize earthly wisdom as opposed to godly wisdom. In verse 14, we discover that earthly wisdom is full of bitter jealousy, selfish ambition, boasting, and lying. Through James’ description of earthly wisdom or wisdom from below, he tells us that it brings strife, division, cruel deception, and attempts to lie against the truth.

James goes further and describes three sources of wisdom from below. What are these sources? The first source is earthly or from the earth’s worldly system. The second source is unspiritual. Now, unspiritual wisdom is not necessarily identifiable. The natural person, unaided by the fullness of the indwelling Holy Spirit, is not wholly aware of that which the Spirit approves. Third, and lastly, the source of earthly wisdom is demonic. This term is self-explanatory. James teaches that wisdom from below comes from the devil himself.

After describing what earthly wisdom is and where it comes from, James shares two results manifested when this kind of wisdom is present. What are the two results of earthly wisdom? The answer is found in James 3:16, “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” The first result is disorder. This is a condition that reflects instability and confusion. The second result is every vile practice. Rather than giving a long, specific list of the various forms of vile acts that will be present, James simply makes an inclusive statement, which includes them all, “every vile thing.” Righteousness will be absent, and every vile thing will be there.

After describing the characteristics, sources, and results of earthly wisdom, which comes from below, James describes godly wisdom, which comes from above. In doing so, James provides the most comprehensive and helpful definition of wisdom in all literature. The definition includes the following descriptions found in verses 17 and 18. First, those found in James 3:17, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”

Godly wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, and merciful. The word James uses for “mercy” is not used in the New Testament except about God Himself and godly people. Mercy is a part of the very character of God. God is the source of mercy (2 Timothy 1:2), and God is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4). Further, godly wisdom is full of good fruits. Jesus declared that only by abiding in Him can we produce good fruit (John 15:4-5), and Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit for us in Galatians (Galatians 5:22-23). Then, we discover that godly wisdom is impartial. James warned against the sin of partiality earlier in the letter (James 2:1-9). Godly wisdom shows no partiality or favoritism. Wisdom from above is demonstrated by welcoming others as God has welcomed us (Romans 14:1, 3). Godly wisdom is also sincere. The word James uses here comes from the same root as our words, “hypocrite” or “hypocrisy.” Godly wisdom is without hypocrisy or pretense; since it flows from God, it manifests itself in truth and sincerity.

The last description of godly wisdom is found in James 3:18, “And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” Godly wisdom produces a harvest of righteousness. Therefore, godly wisdom is not only to be recognized; it’s to be lived.

To understand how we should be living and enjoying the life of wisdom, let’s consider two questions that James answers for us. The first is, “How and where do we get wisdom?” James 1:5 gives us the answer, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” God is the source of wisdom, and it’s ours for the asking. The second question, “Who is actually wise and understanding?” The answer is found in James 3:13, “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.” In other words, those who actually possess godly wisdom are those who humbly manifest good conduct and works in their daily lives.

The good news is that such wisdom is available to us as we trust in our Lord. It’s our personal responsibility to seek God-given wisdom. But, also, we must realize that God-given wisdom cannot be had unless our lives are kept in a right relationship with God Himself, in which we are nourished daily with His grace. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!

As one works through the book of James, he/she discovers that faith and God’s gift of wisdom are central to the book’s teachings. Some biblical scholars even compare the book to the wisdom literature of the Old Testament. The book of James answers the question, “How are we to live as followers of Christ?” In other words, James deals with the practical application of God-given wisdom.

When we look at James 3:1-12, the first verse of chapter three does not seem to fit with the rest of the passage’s instruction on controlling the tongue. But hang with me a moment. We read in James 3:1, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” James’ words here are few, but his teaching regarding the weighty responsibility of serving as a teacher is clear.

James shares two truths about being a teacher. The first truth is that not many should become teachers. In the New Testament, we discover that teaching is one of the leadership gifts given by the Holy Spirit. As true of any ministry, we should engage in ministry only when we are called by God and gifted by the Holy Spirit to do so. If you teach, do it to the glory of God, and if you don’t teach, do whatever God calls and equips you to do for His glory.

The second truth is that teachers will receive stricter judgment. Given the weighty privilege and responsibility of teaching the truth of God’s Word, there is little wonder that God would require a high standard of quality and faithfulness. If a teacher’s instruction harms God’s people, he or she will “reap what they sow.” We’re to understand that God will judge those who teach His Word. We also must realize that a stricter judgment will come from brothers and sisters in Christ for those who teach. Here is where this verse ties in with the rest, which deals with controlling the tongue. Realizing that teaching is a weighty privilege and responsibility, teachers need to take great and prayerful care in what they say about God’s Word because they can expect strict judgment from the family of God and from the Lord Himself.

Now, let’s move on to the rest of our passage about controlling the tongue. James 3:2-12 leaves little doubt that the tongue is difficult to control. James shares two assertions that help us understand how to control the tongue. The first assertion is that no one can on their own control the tongue (v.2). Further, He shares three contentions regarding the tongue. The first contention is that the tongue is a little member but boasts great things (vv. 2-5). To support this contention, James shares three illustrations of a bit in a horse’s mouth, the rudder of a ship, and a small fire. With a bit, one can control a horse; with a rudder, one can control a large ship; and with a spark, one can ignite a huge forest and destroy it by fire. So, it’s with the tongue; it’s very small but very powerful and significant.

The second contention is that the tongue is a fire – set on fire by hell (v. 6). In supporting this contention, James makes three statements about the destructiveness of the tongue. The first statement is that the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness (v. 6). The Greek word for unrighteousness is a powerful word referring to moral decadency. The second statement is that the tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body (v. 6). As a world plagued by iniquity, the tongue cannot be held in isolation. In fact, the tongue corrupts the entire body. Just as a rudder affects a ship and a bit affects a horse, the tongue affects the body and brings corruption. The third and final statement is that the tongue not only corrupts the body but also sets on fire the entire course of one’s life (v.6). The tongue not only corrupts the physical body of people but also brings corruption to their entire life. It affects not merely what we do but what we are.

The last contention James shares concerning the tongue is that the tongue is a restless evil, full of deadly poison (v. 8). The concept of “restless evil” is well represented by J. B. Philips’ translation of the New Testament, “The tongue is an evil always liable to break out, and the poison it spreads is deadly.” The evil James describes is not passive but is actively on the attack as a deadly poison. We can summarize from these three contentions that (1) the tongue is a little member but boast great things, (2) the tongue is a fire – set on fire by hell, and (3) the tongue is a restless evil, full of deadly poison?

James leaves no doubt that no one can, on their own, control the tongue. The tongue is an enigma; it defiles the natural order created by God (vv. 10-12). James explains that a spring doesn’t flow with both fresh and bitter water, nor does fresh and salt water flow from the same spring. Fig trees don’t bear olives, nor does a grapevine produce figs. Yet out of the same mouth can proceed both blessings and cursing (v. 10). The conclusion of James is clear. The significance and influence of the tongue are great.

So, where’s the hope? The problem with our tongues is spiritual, and to find the answer, we need to remember that when we look at Scripture, context is king! James has already instructed us back in James 1:16-18 that God is the source of all good and available to help in every situation. If we need wisdom, we need only to ask for it (James 1:5). Remember that James’ first assertion is that no one can on their own control the tongue. So, how do we control the tongue? We find the answer in James’ second assertion. To control our tongues, we need to approach our perfect God for help – only by His power and wisdom can we control our tongues.

Every good and perfect gift comes from Him alone (James 1:16-18). Only a perfect person can control his/her tongue (James 3:2). Only God is perfect. Since God is the only One who is perfect, He is the only One who can control any of our tongues. Our deep need is to be in a saving relationship with God; we need to receive Christ as Savior and Lord. We need to be forgiven of our sin. We need to be controlled by the Spirit of Christ, enabled by His power to control our tongue and our whole being. The good news is that when we give ourselves over to the Lord, He controls the master switch of our life. He gives us all we need to control not only our tongue but all of our life. Let me say it plainly. By the power of our Lord, leaning into His wisdom, we can control our tongue, speaking words of life while living the life. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!

Here we are, a few days into the new year. In a way, it’s just another week. Yet, moving into a new year is a reminder of new beginnings and fresh starts.

It’s important to invest time reviewing what we have accomplished over the past year as well as what remains undone. But such contemplation can only take us so far in our journey of progress. To move forward, we must move past our failures, build on our successes, and apply what we’ve learned from them to achieve our new goals and objectives.

One of the challenges of moving into a new year is not allowing the failures and successes of the past to trap us, robbing us of the opportunities that lie ahead in this new year. An old proverb goes, “Yesterday is a cashed check, tomorrow is a promissory note, and today is the only cash we have on hand.” Again, we ought to learn from the past and, certainly, plan for the future, but living in the moment with an understanding of the gift of renewed opportunity is crucial.

For us to rightly move forward, we must look to the Lord. He invites us to move forward with Him amid all life’s circumstances. When we come to Him, He receives us and empowers us to press on with His leading to seize the moment.

In Lamentations 3:22-23, we read, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” God’s “steadfast love” speaks of His beneficial action on His people’s behalf. Such workings of the Lord in a believer’s life “never ceases.” In the context of this verse, Judah had been unfaithful to the Lord, but the Lord continues to be faithful. Each day provides us with a new opportunity to make progress by leaving the past in the past and living today for the Lord.

The Lord’s “mercies” or compassion go the second mile by replacing judgment with restoration. God displays great care for us when we fail by providing a new opportunity. God is always willing to begin anew with those who turn to Him and repent.

Paul writes, “I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). Notice that Paul’s life is purposeful, for he constantly aims toward God’s goals for his life. Paul focuses on being in perfect fellowship with Christ forever. This is a worthy goal for all of this in this new year.

So, yes, this week is just another week. But let the new year remind you of new beginnings and opportunities. Place your trust in the Lord and let Him lead you into this new year and, more specifically, this new day. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!

The all-important message of Christmas is Immanuel – God is with us. Whether you are a happy person, a hurting person, a lonely person, or a sorrowful person, we can find encouragement in this gospel truth: God is with you, will help you, and will strengthen you. This is a message worth embracing and sharing with others.

The real reason for Christmas is found in the angel’s pronouncement to the shepherds that first Christmas night, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:11-12). We discover that the purpose of Christ’s coming was not to merely present us with a sweet picture of a baby lying in a Bethlehem manger but to be our Savior. There is a lot we can celebrate about the Son of God being born by such modest means. The picture of Mary and Joseph and the Christ child in a stable with shepherds visiting is worth reflecting upon. The scene is quite awe-inspiring. However, I would encourage us to go beyond the manger scene. Christmastime is about more than the Christ child lying in a manger. The angel declaring Him Savior means Christmas is about much more. Christmas is about God coming to earth in human flesh so He could die on the Cross to pay for our salvation, which makes available to each of us life abundant.

People rarely think about the Cross at Christmastime, and few look at Philippians 2:5-8 as a Christmas passage, but both address the true meaning of Christmas. Paul writes, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:5-8). Paul clearly connects the thoughts of the birth of Christ and the Cross that awaited Him.

As Paul writes about God becoming a man, he goes on to express the ultimate reason God chose to demonstrate this incredible act of love. Paul writes in verse 8, “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” There is something noteworthy about the Greek word we translate as “form.” It’s the same word used in an account from ancient times to depict a king who exchanged his royal garments briefly for the clothing of a beggar. Consider how the Spirit of God inspired Paul to use this phrase and specific word to describe Jesus’ coming to earth. When Jesus came, it really was a moment when Almighty God shed His glorious appearance and exchanged it for the clothing of human flesh. For the purpose of our salvation, God laid aside all of His radiant glory, took upon Himself human flesh, and was manifested in the very likeness of a human being.

Jesus, our King, not only humbled Himself and exchanged His royal garments with the clothing of a servant (human flesh) but, out of profound love for us, was “obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Jesus, God incarnate, was willing to stoop to any measure needed to bring us salvation. Jesus being born, born in a modest stable, lying in a manger (an animal’s feeding trough), demonstrates the attitude of God humbly lowering Himself to become like a member of His creation to offer salvation to each of us. According to Philippians 2:8, Jesus humbled Himself and chose to go to any measure in order to provide us with salvation and His eternal presence.

The late great storyteller Paul Harvey told the story about a family on Christmas Eve. This family had a tradition where the Mother and children would go to the Christmas Eve service, and the Father would stay home. Then, when the family returned from church, they would all gather to open up their presents.

The Father was not an evil man, but he just couldn’t believe in the childhood stories anymore of God coming as a baby, lying in a manger, and dying on the Cross for our salvation. So, as the family left for church, he sat by the fireplace and read a book. Suddenly, he heard tapping on the window. It was a bird flying against the glass of his window, trying to get out of the snow into the warmth of his home. The man had compassion for the bird and went outside, hoping to bring it in. But, as he approached the bird, the bird just flew against the window even harder. Pretty soon, the bird flew into the bushes below the window, half frozen yet too afraid to be caught by this huge man. The more the man tried to reach for the bird, the more the bird flew frantically into the snow and thorns of the bushes. Finally, after a few minutes in the cold and seeing the bird continue to injure itself, the man yelled in frustration, “Dumb bird, can’t you understand that I’m trying to help?” The man paused and thought, “If only you understood, you wouldn’t fly away … if only … if only I could become a bird and get you to understand.” Just then, the church bells rang, as they always had on the hour. But when the man heard the bells this time, he fell to his knees and began to cry, saying, “Oh, God, I didn’t understand. Oh, God, I didn’t understand.”

God’s Son came in human form so that we might understand from where we have come, why we were separated and how we could be restored to Him. He was willing to come and die so that we can have abundant life in Him, our living Savior. This is what Christmas is all about. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!