The Book Of James Pt. 1 Going From Unbelief To Faith In Christ!

The Book of James is one of the earliest books of the New Testament. James was martyred in A.D. 62, so this epistle must have been written earlier than that date, possibly after the time of Herod's persecution in A.D. 44.

In the New Testament, there are four men with the name James. 

James is the brother of Jesus Christ. 

Matthew 13:54,55  And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? 55) Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? 

Jesus gave us some of His richest and most powerful parables in Matthew 13. After this teaching, Christ returned to his own place and began teaching in the synagogue of the Jews. 

The people were astonished at Jesus' wisdom and His mighty miracles. But, they were also skeptical. They knew His parents and who Jesus' siblings were. 

Right away, we see that James is the brother of Jesus Christ. Since Jesus was Mary's firstborn child, James was a younger brother of Jesus. 

Later on, Paul called James "the Lord's brother" (Galatians 1:19). 

James grew up with Jesus and knew Him well. 

John 2:11,12  This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. 12)  After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days. 

John 2 contains the record of Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding feast in Cana. Mary, Jesus and His disciples attended the wedding celebration. 

Afterward, they all returned home and Jesus spent time with Mary and His family for a few days. James was in a position to observe Jesus within the family context, growing up together. 

We do not know the age difference between Jesus and James, but they spent time together until Jesus assumed His gospel ministry. 

James did not initially believe on Jesus Christ. 

John 7:2-5  Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand. 3)  His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. 4)  For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. 5)  For neither did his brethren believe in him. 

An important Jewish feast was approaching and the family was preparing to travel to Jerusalem to attend. Jesus' brothers urged Him to attend the feast so that others could see the works that He did. 

They told Jesus to make Himself known publicly and openly. Notice their language of unbelief: "If thou do these things." John tells us that Jesus' own brothers did not believe on Him. 

Thus, James was initially an unbeliever and this adds an important element to his letter. Why? Because at some point he believed on Jesus Christ, and lived the rest of his life in service to his Lord. 

Jesus' brothers later believed on Him.

Acts 1:14  These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. 

Luke was very precise in noting details as he wrote his gospel and the book of Acts. Before the Spirit of God came on the Day of Pentecost, 120 disciples were gathered together in an upper room. 

Mary was there, and so were the brothers of Jesus Christ. This means that at some point, they turned to Jesus with repentant faith. Their unbelief was turned to faith and they were included with the disciples of Christ. 

Most likely, their conversion came after His resurrection from the dead. Seeing Jesus suffer cruelly and die would have been imprinted on their minds. 

Seeing Jesus after He rose from the dead, was the most convincing truth for his brothers to believe on Him. Resurrection power dispelled any unbelief. 

This truth gives us hope, for every person is born as a sinner and unbeliever. Yet, God is still saving souls through faith in Jesus Christ. Thus, we have hope for those whom we love as we pray for their salvation.

James, the bond slave of Jesus Christ!

James 1:1  James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. 

James tells us right away that he is the servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no brotherly familiarity because James knew Jesus was the Son of God, the Savior of the World. Thus, he used the full title Lord Jesus Christ. 

The word "servant" is connected to slavery in the Roman empire. Historians estimate that as much as 40% of the population were slaves of some sort. 

However, James was a Jew, and being brought up according to the law of Moses, he would have a different understanding of the word "servant." 

In order to share his perspective, we must go to the law of God and read what it says about a bondslave.

Laws governing the bondslaves. 

Exodus 21:1-6  Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them. 2) If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. 3)  If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him. 4)  If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself. 5)  And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: 6)  Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever. 

A Hebrew could buy the services of a servant of a bondslave for up to six years and on the seventh year, they were required to let the bondslave go free.

If he entered service by himself, he would be freed alone. If he was married when he entered into service, his family would be freed with him. 

However, what about the bondslave who truly loved his master and loved the work that he did in service to him? A bondslave had the option to say "I love my master and my family and I will not be set free. I will stay and serve my master forever."

He would be presented to the judges who witnessed the ceremonial mark made on his ear, indicating his lifelong commitment to serving his master. 

James tells us that he gave up all his rights and freedoms and dedicated himself to serving the Lord Jesus Christ for the remainder of his life (See Matthew 23:10).

Thoughts to Ponder...

James was an unbeliever who became a believer in Jesus Christ. Let this truth sink into our hearts as we pray for loved ones to be converted to Christ. 

James believed on Christ Jesus later on, rather than right away. Let us be encouraged to keep praying for our loved ones and others salvation, because the gospel of Christ can overcome unbelief.

Second, after his conversion, James followed the Lord Jesus Christ with his whole heart. He saw himself as a bondslave of Christ.

We need to be humbled before the Lord and serve Him faithfully and fully, as James did. 

We need to be like the bondslave who says "I love my Master, Jesus Christ, and I will not go out to do what I want to do. I want to stay and do what Jesus wants me to do."

Have you believed on the Lord Jesus Christ? Remember, all who reject faith in Christ will eventually believe the lies of antichrist and be eternally separated from God (2 Thessalonians 1:5-12). 

Are you serving Jesus Christ or serving yourself? Paul tells us that we are bought with the price of Jesus' blood, and that our body is no longer ours, but the Lord's. 

We are commanded to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to the Lord, because this is our reasonable service (Romans 12:1-2).

My hope is that all who read this blog, know the Lord and faithfully serve Him.

If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, let me encourage you. 

Call upon the name of the Lord. He will save you, and you will be regenerated and begin a brand new life in Christ (Romans 10:9; 2 Corinthians 5:17). 

Living for Jesus and following Him with all our heart is the very best life, until He calls us home to heaven.

May God be glorified in our response to His Word.

Bob