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James' epistle is tricky because it wasn't written to a specific church nor to a specific person. It's an open letter to Jews; the same as the epistle to Hebrews.

● Jas 1:1 . . James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad
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James is a great book. Some notes from my bible include.

James did not become a disciple of Jesus until Jesus died and ROSE from death.

James full name in hebrew is Jacob.

1/2 brother of Jesus.

James is writing to mainly Jewish people who became Christians.

Speaking about how we live our our faith

and one of the most famous versus most all people know is

James 2:26
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Adziilii said:

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James' epistle is tricky because it wasn't written to a specific church nor to a specific person. It's an open letter to Jews; the same as the epistle to Hebrews.

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

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What do you believe that makes it tricky? I think his epistle was written not for just Jews, I think it goes for anyone, if it's not directly written to a certain group of people shouldn't you just assume that we should just go through and believe it is for us as well?

There is a saying that I like to think about when I am reading the Bible, it is "better safe then sorry". While I am reading I try to ask myself would this be beneficial if I were to take heed to this?

That would be why I think it's an amazing book. It tells us how it is.

Lily Miller said:

What do you believe that makes it tricky? I think his epistle was written not for just Jews, I think it goes for anyone, if it's not directly written to a certain group of people shouldn't you just assume that we should just go through and believe it is for us as well?

There is a saying that I like to think about when I am reading the Bible, it is "better safe then sorry". While I am reading I try to ask myself would this be beneficial if I were to take heed to this?

That would be why I think it's an amazing book. It tells us how it is.

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Because it is written to Jewish Christians, then it is for all Christians. Yet it has special importance to the Jewish Christians. Paul's emphasis is true religion before God. What makes it work before God? James emphasis is true religion before man. What makes it work in mans sight?

Quantrill

Lily Miller said:

What do you believe that makes it tricky? I think his epistle was written not for just Jews, I think it goes for anyone, if it's not directly written to a certain group of people shouldn't you just assume that we should just go through and believe it is for us as well?

There is a saying that I like to think about when I am reading the Bible, it is "better safe then sorry". While I am reading I try to ask myself would this be beneficial if I were to take heed to this?

That would be why I think it's an amazing book. It tells us how it is.

Click to expand...

James is for all beneficial for all believers. God's word teaches that "all" scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is "profitable" for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness (2Ti. 3:16, 17). Reading James is very profitable, but as Azeiilii has said, it is tricky. On one hand James is teaching from the perspective of the law, because he's talking to Jewish babes in Christ. James is teaching these Jews on their level of understanding. On the other hand James is teaching faith, and we know scripture teaches the law is not of faith (Gal. 3:12). A person reading James must understand the distinction between Grace through faith - and how/why James is teaching the Law.

James 1:2
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations;
James 1:3
Knowing this, that the trying of your "faith" works patience.

James 1:14
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
James 1:15
Then when lust hath conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death.

These verses above give you an idea of why you should understand the difference between the law and grace.

Galatians 3:11
But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Galatians 3:12
And the law is not of faith: but, The man that does them shall live in them.

One of my favorite versus in the bible is in James, as I was reading it this morning it jumped out on me James 1--26,27. You know most us are not meant to be teachers of the word so lets not try to be . But all of us are called to be religious and I am talking about pure religion as James defines it. I love discussing the word of God and growing, but the book of James is so good because it says to be a doer of the word of God, thats where the real proof of your faith comes from. You can say you believe with your lips all day long but if you are not a doer of the word of God James says Faith with out works is dead. The bible has so many truths that are just plain and simple I love it, thank you Jesus !!

James 1
26I anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his [own] heart, this man's religion is worthless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of [our] God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress,[and] to keep oneself unstained by the world.

James is also one of my favorites. James was of course the brother of Jesus. But I like James because it explains faith alone isn't enough. You have to act on your faith.
Tradition says John Calvin wanted to have the book James removed from the Bible because of this.

Jas 2:19; You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
Jas 2:20; But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
Jas 2:21; Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
Jas 2:22; You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;
Jas 2:23; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God.
Jas 2:24; You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

I have been drawn to James because it is concise, brief and extremely practical for daily use.

And as my newly acquired amplified study Bible says that saving faith results in changed behavior! Amen!

@Tristan W,
I'm curious... does God give this "saving faith" to all believers? And when is it given? Or is this faith already in the person before they accept Jesus as Lord?

regibassman57 said:

@Tristan W,
I'm curious... does God give this "saving faith" to all believers? And when is it given? Or is this faith already in the person before they accept Jesus as Lord?

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Sir, praise the Lord Jesus Christ! I do not know, but in my personal walk with Jesus compared to the life I lived before being born again that I can attest to the mighty changes inside me that have nothing to do the works of my flesh. They are due to the Holy Spirit dwelling in me. I can truly relate and personally know from my experience in following Him, some of the scriptures that are in James, such as:

James 1:23 For if anyone only listens to the word without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully in his natural face in the mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he immediately forgets what he looked like.

I nearly chuckled at this because of how raw and real that applies to me. I have always acknowledged that God existed, but I was careless and didn't obey his word, and therefore, did not know or love Him.

I am walking towards that day where I can truly say that I love my God and not be a liar about that. The prelude to these two verses is James 1:22 But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God's precepts], and not nearly listeners, deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth]. And now in the midst of writing this response I will also add that this reminds me of me as a kid when my dad would tell me over and over what he expected of me. I replied, carelessly, "I know, I know" but still did not do as he asked...LOL. Oops, forgive me!

I do believe that as stated in John 1:12 But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name -

Believe is a big, meaty, wonderful word here - that to me, is serious and bears a large responsibility. {I mean we are in God's favor, He loved us before creation, I mean how awesome is that?!} It means a lot of things. Believing is receiving, welcoming, trusting, depending, adhering to/on/for Him, right? And that takes a relationship with Him to develop that. And so dear Lord, help us all and direct our paths and cultivate from us what you had planned from the beginning!

Does that help you at all?