JAMES 1

James in the Greek is the same as Jacob from the Hebrew. This James is half-brother to our Lord Jesus Christ, the son of Joseph and Mary. This book is written to all the twelve tribes of Israel.

James 1] James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
[2] My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
[3] Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
[4] But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

More said on this in 2Pet.1:5-9 and it reads.

2Pet.1:5] And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
[6] And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
[7] And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
[8] For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[9] But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

Wanting nothing as it said in verse 4, back to James and verse 5 reads.

James 1:5] If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

This is why we always open with prayer asking that God open eyes and ears to his word. Let’s go to Proverbs 1:7 and never forget this verse, and it reads.

Prov.1:7] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Fear should have been translated as Reverence. Now let’s read it as it should have been written. Reverence of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Back to James 1 and verse 6 reads.

James 1:6] But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

Stand strong in faith when you ask the LORD for a blessing, showing the LORD your faith in Jesus Christ.

James 1:7] For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

Speaking here of those that waver in faith. Let’s go back to Pro.3:5-6 and it reads.

Pro.3:5] Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
[6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

We see here that the Lord wants us to ask him for wisdom, this shows him that we love him, and this pleases him greatly. Back to James 1 and verse 8 reads.

James 1:8] A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

One who says one thing and then turns around and says something different. They cannot be trusted. Jer.17:5.

James 1:9] Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:

Bring your brother up in the Word.

James 1:10] But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
[11] For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

This rich man is spiritually rich with blessings, even we are here for a short time. Let’s go to Ecc.12:7 and it reads.

Ecc.12:7] Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

This is why we should never fear death, for then we are with the Father forever. Back to James 1 and verse 12 reads.

James 1:12] Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

This crown is life everlasting, royalty for those who love the LORD.

James 1:13] Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

If you have ever blamed God for your troubles, then take time right now and read Jer.23:33-40. This should set you straight, repent and never do it again. But for those who suffer temptation often, let’s go to 1Cor.10 and read verse 13.

1Cor.10:13] There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

God loves you and will always show you a way out. Back to James 1 and verse 14 reads.

James 1:14] But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
[15] Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
[16] Do not err, my beloved brethren.

Drawn away from the Lord, then Satan can easily tempt you. This death is a spiritual death, don’t err means you can come back to the Lord through repentance. The Lord makes it so easy for all of us who love him, just take time in your day to show him your love.

James 1:17] Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
[18] Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

God gives gifts plenteous to those who ask in Jesus’ precious name. Jesus is the Word of Truth. This word creatures should have been translated creations.

James 1:19] Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

This verse can help with most marital problems, take time to write it down. Also take time to read Pro.10:19, 14:17, 16:32. Always remember a marriage is sanctified by the LORD.

James 1:20] For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Never let your anger get in the way of what is right.

James 1:21] Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Humble yourself to the word of God. Logos is the Word of God, Jesus Christ, only he can save.

James 1:22] But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
[23] For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
[24] For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
[25] But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

So important to be a doer of his word, these are our works, and our works are the only thing that follows us to heaven. Let’s go to Rev.14 and verse 13 reads.

Rev.14:13] And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

Back to James 1 and verse 26 reads.

James 1:26] If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
[27] Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

This is called charity, you can tell a Christian by his works. Never give to a church that begs, the Lord never sends out beggars. Be wise with your charities, there are those who deceive. Well, a great start to a great book, let’s go to his throne.

Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.

KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible