James: A Slave Of God
James 1:1
The Epistle James was written by James (obviously). An important question is “which James?” James was a very common name; in fact there are at least four men named James who are mentioned in the New Testament. Of those four men, only two could realistically be considered as the author of this Epistle.
I have found no scholar or commentator who thinks that the Apostle James; often referred to as “James the Less” is a serious candidate for authorship of this letter. This man was the “son of Alphaeus” (as referenced in Matthew 10:3 & Acts 1:13). He was certainly a special man, a faithful servant and honored to be numbered among the 12 Disciples, but it is highly unlikely that he wrote the Epistle of James.
There was another James who was even more obscure that James the Less; he was the father of the Apostle Judas (not Iscariot) and he is only mentioned in connection with his son in Luke 6:16 & Acts 1:13).
Then there is the beloved Apostle James, the brother of John. (Matthew 4:21) These two men were some of the earliest followers of Christ and the Lord called them “The Sons’ Of Thunder.” The Apostle James was privileged to be part of Jesus’ inner circle along with his own John and Simon Peter. If you will remember this James was martyred by King Herod in the earlier days of the Church and evidence seems to suggest that his death occurred much to early for him to have written this Letter.
The most likely and most commonly accepted candidate for authorship of this Epistle would be James the half-brother of the Lord Jesus. James was also the brother of Jude who most (including myself) believe was the author of the Epistle of Jude.
We have somewhat of a roll call of the earthly family of Jesus in - Matthew 13:54 And when He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? 56 And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?"
The fact that the brother of the Lord is the author of this Epistle is fascinating for many reasons. First of all, it is intriguing as to why he did not mention this reality in his salutation. This highlights several important truths. It is a mark of humility that instead of boasting concerning his earthly relationship to Jesus, James sees himself as a slave of God. It also reminds us that James inherited no spiritual authority as a result of human birth. The only reason that this man was qualified to lead the Church the way he did and that he was able to be inspired by the Holy Spirit to pen such a letter is because he had experienced the “second birth”. James, Jude and the rest of Jesus’ siblings were saved the same way that we are; that is by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus.
In the first verse of James 1 we see several important characteristics of the man whom God used to write this letter that has blessed the Church for two millennia. First of all we see that:
JAMES WAS A SLAVE OF GOD
“James, a bondservant of God”
Most Bible translations use the term “servant” or “bond-servant”. There are a few that translate this term as “slave”, and that is the most literal rendering of the Greek word that is used in this passage. The word is “doulos” and it speaks of one who is purchased and owned by a master or “lord.”
As Christians we have been bought at a price. Paul said in - 1 Corinthians 6:20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. We often refer to Jesus as “Lord”, and He certainly is! The problem is that many use the term “Lord” without fully understanding its meaning. Lord is (kurios) – {Koo'-ree-os} in the Greek and it means one who is supreme in authority. Jesus is the Master and we are His slaves. Though we tend to forget this reality, it was at the forefront of James’ mind as he began his Epistle to “the twelve tribes scattered abroad”.
In Greek culture “doulos” usually referred to the involuntary, permanent service of a slave, however, the New Testament writers use this term to describe one who willingly surrenders his will in order to serve a master that he loves and respects. This concept is illustrated in several Old Testament passages. One clear example of this type of servitude is found in Exodus 21:1-6:
"Now these are the judgments which you shall set before them: If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years; and in the seventh he shall go out free and pay nothing. If he comes in by himself, he shall go out by himself; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him. 4 If his master has given him a wife, and she has borne him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself. 5 But if the servant plainly says, 'I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,' 6 then his master shall bring him to the judges. He shall also bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him forever.
Though we have most certainly been “bought at a price”; it should be our hearts desire to willingly serve our Lord and Master.
James knew that his life was not his own. In fact, many of the references to this man in the Book of Acts speak of him residing in Jerusalem. If you will remember, when the persecution intensified many of the Christians fled Jerusalem and went into the surrounding areas. There was certainly a measure of danger of James and the other leaders of the Church who remained in the city. But that was where God wanted him to be and his service to the Lord and His Church was invaluable. He was a slave of God and it was his desire to do what pleased his Master.
We would do well to comprehend that we are slaves and we must be willing to follow the orders of our Master even in the face of great opposition and danger.
- James was not only A Slave Of God, his salutation also reveals that:
JAMES WAS SURRENDERED TO CHRIST
“and of the Lord Jesus Christ”
One of the things that makes James’ authorship of this letter so fascinating is that the Gospel’s make it clear that in the days of Jesus’ earthly ministry, he nor his brothers believed in Jesus.
John says in John 7:2 Now the Jews' Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. 3 His brothers therefore said to Him, "Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. 4 For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world." 5 For even His brothers did not believe in Him." James grew up in the same home as God’s Promised Messiah and still rejected Him.
In the very early days of Jesus’ ministry the members of His own family came to the conclusion that Jesus had lost His mind.
Mark 3:21 But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, "He is out of His mind." A few verses later “His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him. And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You." But He answered them, saying, "Who is My mother, or My brothers?" And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, "Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother." (Mark 3:31-35)
Though James spent many years doubting and even rejecting the fact that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, there came a time when he saw Jesus for who He was.
We are not given the specific details surrounding James’ conversion, but it seems that his transformation came soon after the Resurrection of Jesus.
Acts 1:13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
One of the most heartbreaking situations that you will encounter is that of a mother or father who is devastated over the fact that their child is not a follower of Christ. Quite often these parents raised their children right, took them to church, trained them in the ways of the Lord and lived a devout Christian life in front of them. However, in spite of their faithfulness, their son or daughter never surrendered to Jesus and they are currently living a life of sin and rebellion. This may not be a hypothetical situation for you; it may be a reality in your own life. If so, let me encourage you to remain steadfast, keep praying and continue to trust that there is hope for the salvation of your children.
Consider Mary for a moment. This was the woman that God personally selected to give birth to His Son. Furthermore, He entrusted her and Joseph to raise the Promised Messiah. However, John tells us that in the days of Jesus’ earthly ministry His own brothers did not believe in Him. James, Joses, Judas & Simon were raised in the same household as Jesus. Certainly they were taught the decrees of God. They were familiar with all of the Mosaic Law as well as all of the Jewish ceremonies, ordinances and observances. Without a doubt they knew the prophecies concerning the Messiah. Not only did they know about the Messiah, they knew Him for He was their older brother. Yet, though they knew Him personally they rejected Him vehemently. Not only did those men see the obvious differences in Jesus on the home front, they were witnesses of the amazing ministry of Jesus. As the Savior traveled the regions of Galilee performing miracles and teaching and preaching with power and authority, they were witnesses. However, they still did not believe. Thankfully the scriptures inform us that those men did eventually come to the realization that Jesus was the Messiah. So much so that two of them wrote letters that are included in the Bible.
If you have wayward children that you have been praying for a lengthy period of time, let me encourage you to never give up hope concerning their conversion. Keep praying, keep witnessing and keep trusting. Furthermore, do not allow the Enemy to use the disbelief of your children as a means to discourage you. James is proof that no parent can force their child to believe in Jesus. His story is clear evidence that an individual can be raised in a Christian home, taught the ways of the Lord and still rebel. Mary couldn’t save James, Jude, Simon or any of her children for that matter. All she could do was be faithful and leave the results up to God. In His perfect timing, the Holy Spirit of God reached James, convicted Him of sin, convinced Him that Jesus was the Savior and as a result James surrendered to Jesus.
- In I Corinthians Paul describes the post resurrection appearances of Jesus. He says:
1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.
James saw the risen Savior; if you are saved it is because you too have seen Him (though not physically, you have seen Him with eyes of faith). James did not stop at believing that Jesus was the Promised One, he surrendered to Him and spent the rest of his life as His slave. Notice that James refers to himself as “a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”. James puts the Son on equal standing with the Father. This is important because God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are co-equal. James points out that he was as much of a slave of the Son as he was concerning the Father.
- As James lived as a slave of God and the Lord Jesus, he was also sensitive to the Spirit
JAMES WAS SENSITIVE TO THE SPIRIT
To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.
The Holy Spirit is not explicitly mentioned in this verse, but you can rest assured He was present. In fact, it was the Spirit of God that prompted James to write this letter to “the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad”. The Holy Spirit was dwelling within James and led him as he carried out the directives of his Master. James came to know Jesus spiritually and eternally when the Holy Spirit moved in his life. As with any other Christian, the Holy Spirit dwelled within him for the remainder of his life. As we read of the many amazing things that this man did throughout his life, we must never forget that it was not James who did these things, it was the Spirit moving through him that made these things possible.
The same is true for us. We come to faith in Christ through the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. It is by God’s power and initiative that we are regenerated. From the moment of our conversion until our ultimate glorification anything positive, beneficial or fruitful that we accomplish for Christ and His Kingdom is only possible because of the power of the Holy Spirit moving in and through us.
- James was a slave of God, he was surrendered to Christ, he was sensitive to the Spirit and finally I would like for us to examine the fact that:
JAMES WAS A SERVANT OF THE CHURCH
James addresses this letter to “the twelve tribes”; he is writing to exhort, edify and encourage followers of Christ; (the Church).After his conversion, James became a prominent leader in the Church at Jerusalem.
He is mentioned in Acts 12:17; after Peter was miraculously released from prison (during a time when Herod planned to kill him); Peter went to where the Church was gathered in prayer and told them to "Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren."
James was a leading voice at the Jerusalem Council. During a time of confusion and dissention within the Church over issues concerning Gentiles and the matter of circumcision the leaders of the church gathered to discuss the matter. Acts 15:13 tells us that James spoke up and said "Men and brethren, listen to me: 14 Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written: 16 'After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up; 17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the LORD, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the LORD who does all these things.' 18 "Known to God from eternity are all His works. 19 Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, 20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood. 21 For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath."
In Galatians 2:9 we are told that James endured the ministry of Paul. There Paul said: “when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.” This shows us that James was a very influential and respected leader of the Church, to the point of being described as “a pillar”. This passage also stands as a rebuke to those who try to paint a picture of dissention between James and Paul on the issue of justification by faith.
James was respected by the members of the Church and clearly approved by the Lord to serve in such a capacity and to have such an influence on the people of God. Many refer to James as “James the Just” because he was so devoted to righteousness. According to Josephus, James was martyred for his faith in Christ in A.D 62. I can just picture the Savior greeting His own brother putting His arms around him and saying “welcome my dear brother, well done good and faithful servant.
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