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  • James – Above all – 9

    James – Above all – 9

    But above all things, my brethren, swear not…

    James 5:12a KJV

    You had begun to count the barrage of important words to the congregation. “FINALLY,” says the preacher after a lengthy sermon, as our dull ears and glassy eyes slowly return, “point number nine.”

    Peter, Paul and others frequently conclude with ‘finally,’ James closes his letter, ‘above all.’

    In conclusion

    Before we examine this specific closing of James and the concluding nine verses, consider a few closing points of other pastoral letters.

    • Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice. Become mature, be encouraged, be of the same mind, be at peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. – Paul, in his second and final letter to the church at Corinth.
    • Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. – Paul’s brief closing to his church at Ephesus
    • Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable ​— ​if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy ​— ​dwell on these things. – Paul’s closing to the church at Philippi

    James closes: Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear… so that you won’t fall under judgment.

    Other first generation church leaders also include similar phrases as if to say, ‘last, but not least.’ Their letters also emphasize some of same points to remember as does James.

    • Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. – Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae
    • Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. – First letter of Peter to the church, echoed by James’ concluding sentence.
    • Above all, be aware of this: Scoffers will come in the last days scoffing and following their own evil desires – Second letter of Peter to the church. Early in his letter James makes a similar point:

    James 5:

    Oaths

    12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “yes” mean “yes,” and your “no” mean “no,” so that you won’t fall under judgment.

    James does not prohibit oaths; rather he calls out those who take oaths, vows or solemn promises lightly.

    If a Christian’s oath is the fruit of God, then our words must convey pure truth. NO guarantees by god, as unbelievers see the Lord, and NO guarantees by earth and NO oaths by any other authority outside your own true word.

    Yes equals yes and your no equals no. Simplicity. And truth by your own personal guarantee of your own words. Does this not go back to the opening point of James’ letter to the church?

    My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.

    James 1:19-20 CSB

    Don’t get God involved in your words to another. By your words you will be judged. – Matthew 12:37

    Prayer

    13 Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray…

    What believer in Christ does not suffer? All sometimes suffer hardship, sickness, troubles and many evils.

    Pray, beloved brother, James urges in his letter. Pray, beloved sister. Yet he also points to the encouragement from others in our church family, because their joy reflects the Lord to us.

    Are you cheerful? Then sing praises to the Lord.

    (Are you? Then do you?) Those brothers and sisters who suffer hardship feel your joy in Christ. At times you also need to hear the joy of beloved brothers and sisters in Christ.

    14 Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

    Here James points to leadership roles of encouragement by our local church. His corporate letter tells all who are sick to seek the anointing and prayer of our local leaders, the elders who shepherd us. Though the anointing oil does not heal the unknown mysteriously; the Lord, in answer to prayer, may heal the one who believes, if it is His will.

    Mark relates good news of such results by those sent out into surrounding towns by the Lord Jesus.

    So they went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons, anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

    Mark 6:12-13 CSB

    Once again, before the Lord’s half-brother repented of his disbelief, James most likely knew some of these who experienced miraculous healings. James continues:

    The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up; if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

    James 5:15 CSB

    Jesus forgives a lame man

    Perhaps you recall a healing by Jesus in a public event where James may have been among the crowds outside the house.

    Luke 5:

    17 On one of those days while he was teaching… sitting there … from every village of Galilee and Judea, and also from Jerusalem. 18 Just then some men came, carrying on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed… because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the roof tiles into the middle of the crowd before Jesus.

    20 Seeing their faith he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

    … Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

    23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?

    24 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he told the paralyzed man, “I tell you: Get up, take your stretcher, and go home.”

    25 Immediately he got up before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God.

    James 5: Do you need healing?

    photo of man wearing t-shirt "PRAY" JAMES 5-16
    James 5:16

    Above all, remember that God judges and that the Lord answers prayer.

    16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.

    James points to Elijah, whose prayers God heard and answered because of his righteousness.

    Are we not cleansed of our sin in Christ Jesus, dear brother?

    Confess your sins and be cleansed by the righteousness of Christ. Pray for the sick among you.

    Community

    19 My brothers and sisters, if any among you strays from the truth…

    James closes with this: IF any among you.

    He does not begin by asking us to judge others, our neighbors or the world, but simply points this directly to application to the community of our church by saying, ‘if any among you.’

    Christians tend to be quick to speak and slow to listen, as James cautions earlier in his letter.

    strays from the truth

    This closing call to truth is not to the grey-edged truths of the world which are not truth at all. His pastoral call to us is to that higher absolute truth of Christ Jesus.

    Do not stray from truth. But if you do — and some of you will — bring your brother or sister back into the love of our church community.

    and someone turns him back…

    We all know the Way, the Truth and the Life. To bring someone back to Jesus will require their repentance.

    But who will go to a brother in the Lord asking for his repentance?

    It is not an easy thing to confront another in truth and love. (All the more reason we should limit this to the community of our church.)

    20 let that person know that whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

    James’ question to those of the church is really more like:

    Do you care at all if your brother (or sister) in the church will go to hell?

    Go to him seeking his repentance and ask him to return to the Lord.

    We all have many sins in need of covering by our works of grace.

    see James 5:20

    No Post Script

    James writes to the church corporately, perhaps with certain individuals in various churches in mind.

    He could have closed with a few personal greetings or asked for a personal messenger to come to him with help of some sort, but he does not. And James could have appealed to the authority given him as one of the brothers of Jesus, son of Mary the same mother. Again, he does not.

    Rather, he appeals to all as brethren and himself humbly as a fellow servant of the Lord. James and the church at that time identify themselves as Jews.

    Christians are no different than Jews to Rome and the world. Cause any trouble and you are not welcome in this city.

    map major Jewish cities of Roman Empire - Rome Antioch Damascas Jerusalem Alexandria

    James writes to encourage several congregations throughout the region of the eastern empire of Rome.

    Most hearers of his letter are poor, some very poor. Trials of life test your faith in the Lord.

    Persist — show the fruit of your joy in the Lord, the evidence of your faith.

    Count it all JOY, dear brothers and sisters, whenever you face the challenges of your faith in Christ Jesus!

    HOW?

    Any trial is an outward circumstance which could challenge your faith. Temptation always lurks inwardly as an enticement to sin. Here is one good way to resist:

    …let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.

    James 1:19b KJV

    Do what the Law of God says and allow the Lord to judge others. Those rich who dispersed you to hard circumstances in difficult places will also be judged. Do not allow them to lead your church or you into sin.

    All must show their works of their faith, bringing each other into repentance before the Lord. God commands peace between believers. Repent and love each other, for the sake of Christ Jesus.

    Do you, beloved believer to whom I write, hear the Lord Christ Jesus in our appeal?

    James writes to many churches, asking us to build community and faith by our works of faith in Jesus.

    Above all, hear the heart of James.

    For he was once the unbelieving brother of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now he asks us to show our faith by our works.

  • Do not lose heart over tribulations & sufferings – 2

    Paul’s encouragement for the church at Ephesus

    ‘Faint not at my tribulations or do not ‘lose heart over what I am suffering for you.’  The Apostle Paul writes these words differing some by translation [KJV or ESV].

    διὸ αἰτοῦμαι μὴ ἐκκακεῖν ἐν ταῖς θλίψεσίν μου ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν ἥτιςἐστὶν δόξα ὑμῶν – Ephesians 3:13

    Do you lose heart when you or a loved one suffers? Do you faint at the thought of a loved one experiencing tribulations before their death?

    Most of us have at least one hurting loved one who comes to mind. A leader esteemed by like-minded followers does not want them to give up over any trial he must endure. Understand Paul’s heart is compassion for his followers.

    Tribulations θλῖψις

    Paul’s choice of words from the Greek, thlipsis, paints familiar imagery to those who suffer. He chooses a metaphor for oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits; the picture of a pressing, pressing together or pressure. We recognize the tension of relationship when one suffers and another can do nothing about it.

    Paul and the Apostles knew the pressure and persecution, as did the saints of the church. In fact, Jesus had used the same word of prophesy to the Apostles before His crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. Our Lord tells of the signs of the end of the age.

    Prophesy of Christ Jesus

    Matthew 24:

    9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

    Fellow believer and saint, do you sense this in these last days? What encouragement for the saints of the church of Ephesus at the beginning of these last days!

    Jesus continues with the description a great tribulation:

    21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22 And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand.

    Therefore, do not lose heart.

    Paul, Peter, John, even our Lord Jesus Christ have written what must take place. Returning to Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus, let’s close with the encouragement of his meaning.

    ‘Wherefore I desire that ye faint not… Ephesians 3:13a KJV

    And what is it to faint from an enormous undertaking of faith? Faint ἐκκακέω  ekkakeō – to be utterly spiritless, to be wearied out, exhausted.

    Does this describe your battle? Paul, the one who has suffered for his witness of Christ calls on the saints of Ephesus to faint not. In Christ we must persevere, winning over the defeat of sin, suffering and death. Our suffering indeed becomes our glory through the Lord. Paul goes on to urge us to prayer.

    Jesus speaks of it as well, adding in the same way that we must faint not and calling us to prayer.

    Tribulations and the Dishonest Judge

    Luke 17:33 Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.

    [ctt title=”And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” tweet=”And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” coverup=”9eI20″]

    2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man.

    3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’

    4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’”

    6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says.

    7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?

    8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

    Our glory in Christ

    When Jesus comes, will he find faith on earth? Will Christ find faith in Ephesus or in your city? Surely the Lord has declared your tribulations and suffering will come to an end.

    The Revelation of Jesus Christ to John 21:3-5a [KJV]

    And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying,

    Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them,

    and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

    And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death,

    neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

    And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.

    [ctt title=”Beloved saint, do not lose heart over tribulations and sufferings. For the Lord redeems His own and the glory of the Lord reigns forever.” tweet=”Beloved saint, do not lose heart over tribulations and sufferings. For the Lord redeems His own and the glory of the Lord reigns forever.” coverup=”EbKeq”]

    Amen.

     

     

     

     

  • To Die is Gain

    Philippians 1:

    To Live Is Christ, To Die Is Gain

    Christians have heard it, perhaps even others:

    [ctt title=”Phil.1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ” tweet=”Philippians 1:21 ‘For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.’ Who in the 21st c. church longs to be with the Lord rather than gain in this life?” coverup=”81X1L”]

    What a strange sound to our contemporary hearing that a follower of Christ would prefer to die, rather than live as long as we can in this life. Why would the Apostle Paul say such a thing?

    Paul further explains: 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me.

    OK, that’s more like it. We hope those in our church will do some fruitful labor, but Paul continues:

    Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.

    Paul seems rather conflicted in wanting to die to be with Jesus Christ, even as he tells of his desire to be with those of the church in Philippi “for your progress and joy in the faith.” [v.25b]

    Like any letter we cannot just take the words of the writer (or writers, in this case) as literal advice to you and me without considering the context and background as well as the reason to write to those who first read it. The people of the church a Philippi were the very reason Paul and Timothy wrote this letter. In fact, Paul had much in common with these saints of this local church.

    Dear church family in Philippi Macedonia,

    Or in a 21st letter that is what we might have said. The letter, however, begins:

    To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers (meaning bishops) and deacons:

    2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

    3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

    The Greek words for overseer, where superintendent could also be used, and deacon, which indicates the ones who follow the commands of the appointed one in charge have a deep relational and much-lost meaning to the church. The description of the senders, however, reveals an even more-convicting humility, for Paul and Timothy refer to themselves as “doulos,” that is, “slaves” or servants.

    Although you or I would end a letter with our signature, Paul and Timothy, as was the custom of the day, begin with their signature as identification to all of the senders at first hearing of the public reading of their letter:

    Παῦλος καὶ Τιμόθεος δοῦλοι Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ

    Paulos kai Timotheos doulos  Iēsous  Christos

    Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ

    Servant Leadership

    Without taking time here to further develop a central theme which must typify followers of Jesus, the Christ of God and King over all creation and souls; please note Paul’s characteristically loving concept best demonstrated by Christ our Lord, that to lead others means to serve others.

    What must Paul do before he dies? Even though Paul longs to be with the Lord Jesus, he concedes, “to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.”

    Paul and Timothy are slaves of the King, Christ Jesus. The Superintendents of the churches to whom they write are also expected to be humble servants of those they lead. Elders and Deacons must have expected obedience to the righteous decrees of the King, that is, Jesus. And the saints (small, ‘s‘) are obedient followers of church leaders, because we desire to obey the King, that is, we want to follow Jesus.

    A Background in Common

    Returning to Philippi, a complete reading of this letter from the slaves of Jesus Christ, Paul and Timothy, is much more than just instruction to a church; it is a much hoped for love letter from a dear one in a far away place.

    Don’t you have a dear one in a far away place? I do.

    [ctt title=”Many beloved ones live beyond the reach of my encouragement and embrace.” tweet=”Many beloved ones live beyond the reach of my encouragement and embrace.” coverup=”t1zeE”]

    Here Paul and Timothy have reached out by messenger to the saints they love, even those with whom they share Christ Jesus, and so much more in common.

    3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you…

    7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

    8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

    “Would you die for Christ?

    [ctt title=”Would you live to serve the saints of Christ\’s church? ” tweet=”Would you die for Christ? Would you live to serve the saints of Christ’s church? – For me to live is Christ, to die is gain. Phil 1:21″ coverup=”Sd5ao”]

    Paul and Timothy and the early saints of the church did. Peter and John and the Apostles did. Stephen and James the brother of Jesus and the first century martyrs did. These all lived for Christ to serve others. These saints of the church, our beloved company of believers, died first to self to serve Jesus as Lord.

    For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. – Philippians 1:21