It is without doubt that the relationships we have with folks, good, bad, or indifferent, shape us as we go through our lives. As the old saying goes, "Variety is the spice of life." This is equally true with regard to our interaction with people as they weave in and out of the short amount of time we have on this earth. 
It is a very blessed person who has a large group of folks that they consider to be their friends. These people are more than just casual acquaintances whose names we always remember. They are the ones who frame and shape us by their entrance into and sometimes exits out of our lives. Even though the phrase "It takes a village" usually refers to raising children, we must always remember that those around us have nearly as much impact on us as adults as they do if we were children. By our nature, we are pliable beings and wind up being an amalgamation of our experiences with others.
Even folks we don't know very well can have an impact or make a change in how we behave. I have college friends with whom I haven't connected in years continue to leave a mark on the way I behave. It makes me wonder from time to time where they might be and how even the brief bonding we had may have changed them. Mr. Joel also wondered about one of his friends and how they affect each other's lives too...
Billy Joel's 4th studio album was the 1976 release, Turnstiles. The album peaked at #122 on the Billboard 200 album chart. It only had 1 single, the pseudo-semiautobiographical "
"James" is a reflective song that Joel has said is a "composite" of folks he had known over the course of his life. ("Countdown Interview with Billy Joel" (1976)) The song was released as a single in Australia but never domestically. It tells the story of one who wonders how a friend's life had turned out. Did they embark on and achieve their dreams? Would they consider their life a success? "James" is a song to which I think many can relate I know I can. We sometimes wonder about those friends we have encountered and wonder if they lived up to the aspirations they had for themselves, causing us to reflect on our own ambitions and how we consider that our life has turned out. There is much nostalgia surrounding the memories of that friend as you contemplate what their life has meant to your own.
But have you ever had that friend who was brutally honest with you? You know the type. They are the most blunt of the people you encounter. Even though their opinions can be rougher than most in their interaction with you, they are the ones on which you rely to provide counsel and wisdom at times of turmoil. They don't hold back. They tell it like it is even when the "it" can be painful. Everyone needs at least one friend like that.
As we mentioned last week, we have hit upon a time of our traversing the pages of Scripture chronologically that we encounter the letters of the New Testament. James is quite possibly the first letter that was circulated throughout the early church. It occurred around the time that the actions of Acts 13-14 happened. It is a letter that features the bluntness, sometimes brutal, honesty about the goings on in the lives of new believers, all the while encouraging them to embrace Godly wisdom and seek to be steadfast as their faith is tested.
James was the half-brother of Jesus and one of the early leaders in the church in Jerusalem. For the most part, the apostles had gone out on mission to do the Great Commission (The Gospel of Jesus according to Matthew, a tax collector, chapter 28, verses 16-20 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV) while James remained to lead the church in Jerusalem and serve as the coordinator of resources for those mission efforts.
We see in his letter some very specific instructions and commentary about how to grow and mature as a believer. James is very blunt in his admonitions of how some believers are not Christlike in their actions. We suggest the easiest way to understand James is to use the biblegateway.com designators for each section.
James begins by addressing the testing of one's faith. This is not the second-guessing type of testing that many modern believers go through, but it is an encouragement to persevere in the face of adversity and allow that adversity to mature you even going so far as to "count it all joy" when you face difficulties because of what you believe. James even instructs us to seek wisdom on how to face the uncertainties that are perplexing us so we know exactly how to take action to go through tough times. There is much more in the first verses, we highly encourage you to read the entire chapter in one sitting. It takes less than twenty minutes depending on how quickly you read.
Next comes a section on showing partiality. Favoritism is something to which many succumb. It can be overcome as James tells us to basically treat everyone the same. James seems to pull much of his advice from Jesus' teachings in Matthew. In this case specifically, Matthew 22:37-40 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV. Let's face it, if you are doing this commandment, it is very difficult to be partial to one person over someone else.
There is a continuing debate in modern Christianity regarding faith and works when there shouldn't be. James tells us in James 2:14-26 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV that our faith is what causes us to do the good works we do and that without faith, those good works, while by definition good, really don't mean a whole lot in the scope of eternity. With faith, our good works are empowered by the Holy Spirit to draw others to Himself and show love, in an impartial manner, to others.
"O be careful little mouth what you say..." This is like the second or third verse to a children's song that could easily be seen as rooted in James 3:1-12 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV. Do an internet search on Scripture that references what we say and how we speak. I think you will be surprised at how much the Bible teaches that the things that come out of our mouths show directly what we believe. James continues this thought process, many of which are found in Psalms, by addressing how we interact with our mouths. I find it interesting that the subtitle to this section is "The Mouth Is A Fire". Remember, God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth because it is twice as important for us to listen as it is for us to speak. Do the words that we say reflect our belief in Jesus? Are they encouraging? Do they show the joy that we have for being children of God?
James circles back around to the topic of wisdom in James 3:13-18 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV. This treatment of wisdom involves those who have taken too much pride in being wise. James warns them to guard themselves against the vanity that can come with wisdom. Do not think too highly of yourself is an admonition to those who seek to be leaders because of their intelligence. I think it would be wise to keep this warning regardless of how smart you may be.
In James 4 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV James takes to addressing dissension in the ranks. He asks why is there trouble among you? James then proceeds through a laundry list of sins that are being committed by these believers. We would be well to heed the bluntness of Chapter 4 in our own lives as it doesn't take too much to see that we are no different than those early believers. We are sinful men, redeemed by a perfect Savior, and we must live worthy of the One who has saved us. Read through this chapter again and repent of the offenses you have committed. Have faith that God, who promises to forgive, will do just that. AND THEN DON'T DO IT AGAIN...
I don't know about you, but every time I read the book of James I feel kind of beaten up. I guess that is what conviction of sin will do for you. Our role when convicted of your sin? REPENT. James 5 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV finishes the chapter with a topic that is always popular among Jesus' followers, money. James addresses the abuse of riches by those in his time who are wealthy. He warns about the misuse of money and the poor management of assets as he attempts to convey no encouragement whatsoever for those with wealth. I suspect that James knows wealthy people who are wonderful God-loving folks, but these are not the people he speaks of in this portion of chapter 5. These folks seem to be caught up in the wealth that they have. Money is their idol and everyone in their circle of influence knows it. James doesn't even offer in advice on how to repent for these people. But encouragement is coming.
If you are older, there is a chance that you still write letters. We were taught in elementary school that there was a good form to a letter. The letters of the Bible tend to follow this form in general and James is not exempt. He finishes chapter 5 (James 5:7-20 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV) with encouragement and what is subtitled "exhortation". ("an utterance, discourse, or address conveying urgent advice or recommendations. - dictionary.com) James mixes his advice with just enough positives that it seems to back off of some of the negative tone from the previous portion of the chapter. And like any good letter he uses this portion of his instructions to come to a conclusion, of sorts, on how to treat people.
James is always a tough book of the Bible for me to read. I confess I don't like it very much because I see myself in it far more than many of the other books we've encountered. Does anyone need Ezra NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV right about now? I do! But as one of the first circulated letters it serves as a template for Paul, Peter, and John as they attempt to encourage and hold accountable those who have surrendered their hearts, minds, and souls to Jesus. I don't think they liked it all the time either...
'Til Tuesday
Loving HIM by Loving You,
randy
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