James 4:7-5:6 Series

Open your bibles to James Chapter 4.

As we continue our series in the Book of James entitled Faith That Works.

We have been quoting R. Kent Hughes who says

“one thing is clear about the book of James—the dominant theme is; Faith that is real works practically in one's life. Faith that is true, is a faith that works.” R. Kent Hughes

Each week we have been examining what real faith is and is not.

First for us as James helps us to examine our faith and encourages us to live accordingly.

At the same time, we gain a deeper understanding of the character of a person who does not have faith.

This helps us respond well to the people around us.

Last week God moved powerfully teaching us that our words have the power to destroy and set our lives on fire.

But for Christians, this ought not to be so because Jesus has the last word in this life.

We are to be informed by the truth of the gospel, embrace our identity in Christ, and see things as they truly are, while allowing the Holy Spirit to control our words.

When we allow the Gospel to inform us the words people speak are a window into their soul.

Jesus says out of the heart the mouth speaks.

What amazing things God can do when we begin to see.

Will you stand with me if you are able as we open up God’s word.

James 4:10 - 5:6

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. 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. 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?

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”—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. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. 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. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you. (James 4:10-5:1-6 ESV)

PRAY

James tells us in chapter 3 that there are two types of wisdom. There is Godly wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. James continues to contend for this and calls us to submit to the wisdom that comes from above. James wants us to see things as they really are so we can have a faith that works. Where a harvest of peace is produced in our lives. The other is worldly wisdom that is motivated by jealousy and selfishness ambition. This causes disorder and every vile practice. Which causes quarrels and fights among one another and God’s response to our jealousy, selfish ambition, and fighting is to love us and offer us more grace. Why because God values us. How do you determine the value of something? The value is determined by what someone is willing to pay for it. God gave His only Son to die on a cross as payment to rescue us from the judgment of sin. With that understanding, James says “humble yourself before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” When you're humbled before God it will affect the way speak and act. James wrote in 2:12-13

So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 2:12-13 ESV)