“Brethren of Christ”
Matt. 13:55
The name of Jesus means, “Jehovah is Salvation. This is the only means of salvation for all of mankind that is through the Shed Blood of The Lord Jesus Christ. Which is the provision of God in this life. It’s provided:
Freely
Faithfully (God anticipates that the provision will be used)
Forever
Every Christian can understand the importance of the “Brethren of Christ” by examining the truths concerning their names.
Let’s examine the first, James; his name means: Supplant, which means add to or in addition to. Salvation through the shed Blood of Christ is more than we deserve; it’s more than adequate for entry into Heaven. But there is more to the Christian experience than salvation. We should Supplement our salvation with:
1) Wisdom James 1:5
1A) Wisdom Concerning the Truth James 1:12-16
Ephesians 4:11-13 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teacher, For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
1B) Wisdom Concerning my Talents James 1:17-18
1 Peter 4:8-11 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
1C) Wisdom Concerning my Testimony James 1:19-20
1 Corinthians 9:20-22 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. (This is for the Incorruptible Crown)
Wisdom is taking the Knowledge that you possess and using it effectively.
2) Works
2A) Works that are Reflective v. James 2:21-24
Abraham’s works reflected the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Gen. 22
Baptism is one of the works that a Christian can perform that is Reflective (it’s reflective of the Death, Burial and Resurrection of The Lord Jesus Christ).
2B) Works that are Risky v. James 2:25-26
Rahab’s work of hiding the spies was risky.
Standing up for Christianity,( , The Blood 1 Peter 1:18-19, The Book 2 Peter 1:19-21 and The Blessed Hope 2 Peter 3:10) is Risky.
2C) Works that are Relevant
Colossians 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Luke 14:27-35 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
3) Willingness
3A) A Willingness to Control
James 3:4-8 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listet. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
3B) A Willingness to be Meek
James 4:6-7 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
3C) A Willingness to be Patience
James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
