James 3-5
Endure
for the Blessing

It's amazing how many “Bible teachers” say there are no consequences for how believers live their lives on earth once they accept Christ, nor differentiation of blessedness in heaven. James says that teachers need to know that they, in particular, will receive greater judgment. The fact that there is greater judgment means there is judgment. Judgment necessitates consequences. It's not like: “Good teacher...enter into the joy of your Lord” and “Bad teacher...enter into the joy of your Lord.“

It's more like “Well done, good and faithful servant...enter into the joy of your Lord” and “Bad teacher...no biscuit.”

As Jesus taught in Matthew 25:21-30 and Luke 19:17, reward is dependent upon having “done well,” and been good, faithful, and a servant. The key element is being faithful with what God has entrusted to us. Teachers have a stricter judgment because they have been entrusted with more truth (or at least should have more truth) with which to be faithful, and they multiply truth (or error) by their teaching. Surveys indicate that only 10% of those who teach the Scriptures professionally have actually read the entire Bible even once. One has to wonder if they are teaching the truth, or just parroting some party line, or what people want to have tickle their ears. Teachers who don't see or walk in the light keep their listeners in the dark (in more ways than one). Come judgment day, some will be blessed with reward and joy in the Kingdom of light, and some will be in the outer darkness lamenting that they have “no biscuit.”

The reason James warns about the judgment of teachers, is because we all stumble (offend), but if one doesn't stumble in word, that person is mature/perfect, and able to control (James 1:26 for only other use) the whole body. Arguing by analogy, bridles and rudders exert a control far greater than their size. The tongue has a similar influence, but it is difficult to control. Words can cause great defilement (and loss of blessing), and destruction. James compares the destructive power of the tongue to a fire that consumes one's life with the fire of Gehenna. Gehenna is the garbage dump outside the city of Jerusalem where unprofitable things are burned. It should not be confused with the lake of fire, the place of eternal punishment. The majority of uses of Gehenna occur in Matthew, being introduced in the Sermon on the Mount referring to unpleasant consequences for unpleasant believers (see comments on Matthew 5:22,29,30). This is the only use of the term outside the Gospels. James says the tongue can't be tamed, but alludes to the source of the defilement, one's heart, which can be purified. He will discuss the cure in the next chapter, but first he highlights the incompatibility of blessing God and cursing men who are made in the image of God, which is like a spring sending out fresh and bitter water or a tree bearing figs and olives.

The person who is wise and has insight will demonstrate his/her wisdom with good and humble conduct. But if jealousy and selfish ambition reside in his/her heart, he/she is living inconsistently with the truth. Such self-centeredness is not from God, but is demonic. It is a product of earthly and sensual motivation rather than Spirit-led thinking. Self-centeredness results in disorder/contention and evil works rather than love and good deeds. Wisdom that comes from God is pure, peaceful, gentle, reasonable (easily entreated), demonstrating mercy, fruitfulness, and without partiality nor hypocrisy. Godly wisdom results in the fruit of righteousness, doing what is right in God's sight, which would include harmonious relationships with other believers.

The reason some of James' audience have intrapersonal discontent and interpersonal difficulties is because they have unsanctified desires/lusts, developed in Satan's world, and not renewed by the Spirit. Their desires are unsatisfied because they are looking to their self-gratification, rather than seeking and trusting God to meet their needs (you don't have because you don't ask). When they do turn to God, it's to demand the fulfillment of their temporal desires, rather than seeking His will (you ask amiss). There is no abiding contentment in the goodness and timing of an infinitely good God (Psalm 84:11; Philippians 4). James accuses such worldlings of adultery, being friendly with the world, and disloyal to God. By seeking their temporal pleasures (as well as power and possessions) they become enemies of God (not a good place to be if they wish His blessings). James cites a principle from the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:5) although there a number of passages that have roughly the same idea, that God wants the sole allegiance of His people, and gets rather peeved when we are disloyal. The Spirit that dwells in us wants us to Himself (which is why God isn't thrilled with idolatry in either testament). So those who have a higher loyalty to the their pursuit of pleasure and prosperity in the world than they do to God, are not only His enemies, but are adulterers headed for judgment, and nowhere near the blessings promised in the Good News.

Speaking of good news, there is a solution for all who find themselves not living the abundant life that Jesus came to give. It is to draw on His grace to do His will. There is a limitless supply of God's power/grace available to live the victorious Christian life. And God gives it to those submitted to Him and His revealed will. God actively resists (stand in battle against) the proud (those who consider themselves above others). Those who set them up as lord of their own life and master of their fate, will find a fearsome opponent in God. Imagine having the Creator of the universe thwarting your efforts. On the other hand, imagine having Him as your Helper. The choice is yours. He gives grace/power to the humble, those who have a proper estimation of themselves as His dependent creatures. Therefore, we should submit to (line ourselves up under) God's rightful authority in our life. Living dependently is the path to blessing; living independently is the path to ruin. Note what we have to do:

• subject ourselves – place ourselves under God's rule to get His grace;
• resist the devil (and his temptations – so he will flee (more below);
• draw near to God (it's our move, then He responds; He doesn't intrude where not invited);
• cleanse our hands (stop playing in the mud of the world) otherwise we remain defiled sinners;
• purify our hearts from our double-mindedness (decide once and for all that God's way is the only way, and do whatever it takes to not deviate from it).

A couple things worth elaboration, beyond what you can find in “It Ain't Gonna Reign No More” are Defense Against the Dark Arts, and being wholehearted like Caleb, rather than double-minded.

We are supposed to flee temptation, but resist the devil. Anyone unaware of the devil's schemes and dirty tricks of twisting truth and distorting reality is most likely stumbling around in the dark. The way to resist the devil, is as Jesus did (and Eve didn't), with truth. When he can’t get you to buy a lie, he might try to scare you, which is just another lie (see, and memorize 1 John 4:4).

We must cleanse our hands and purify our hearts by washing them with truth. Verse 9 is my favorite verse to write on birthday cards and for other happy occasions. What it means is that sinners need to change their hearts, so their value system is brought into conformity to God’s values. The things that they once thought were fun, are now poison to them. It’s difficult to drink poison and expect happy consequences. So if we humble ourselves in submitting to what is right in God’s sight, we can trust that He will give grace and exalt us in the proper time.

James addresses some behaviors that should flow from hearts that are cleansed and submitted to God. Not speaking against or judging each other (except as God has mandated) is how to be a doer of the law. Another is depending upon God for our plans making sure they are in line with God’s will, rather than just tacking “God willing” onto our statements. He can help or hinder our plans, or rescue us from trouble, or bring calamity. So it makes sense to seek His will, which He will bless. Those who glory in their accomplishments aren't holy. If we know what we should do to please God, and don’t do it, it’s sin. Paul also said that whatever is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23).

Those who've spent their time accumulating temporal wealth at the expense of doing God’s will and loving others will regret the judgment day, when their ill-gotten gain is called as a witness against them. Gain gotten at the expense of fulfilling God’s purpose for being on earth, is ill-gotten. Just because we can do something, doesn't mean we should. Just because we don’t experience immediate negative consequences, doesn't mean that we won’t.

In the closing “book-end” James advocates that believers wait patiently for the coming of the Lord, like a farmer waits for the fruit of his labors. This requires having a fixed heart, waiting for the return of the Lord. He will not only bring our reward, but will judge our behavior, therefore we must be careful to have proper relationships with one another. As an example of patience in the fire of suffering, Job should give us hope. The story didn't end until the Lord doubly blessed him for his sinless response. (See comments on Job). James is clearly talking about blessing and reward, not forgiveness and the substitutionary atonement.

James admonishes believers to be truthful in their speech, meaning what they say. If any suffer, they should pray (rather than complain). If cheerful, they should sing praises. If sick, they should call for the elders, who using medical (oil) and spiritual means (prayer), should save/heal the sick, and the Lord will raise them up. James uses a more common word for putting oil on the body, that some suggest should be translated "rub." If the person has committed sins they will be forgiven as a result of the prayer (which would have included confession or acknowledgement of sin if it were present).  The fact that the elders are called for suggest that this is a spiritual sickness, or one brought on by sin. This passage indicates that sin is at the root of some sickness. Not all sickness (physical and/or spiritual) is healed. Paul left Trophimus sick in Miletus (2 Timothy 4:20), and Ephaphroditus was sick while with Paul. Some think that this is only a reference to elders who had the supernatural gift of healing, or that this was a temporary bestowal of God's grace. Others suggest that anyone who is sick today lacks faith. The one thing that is clear is that believers who aren't functioning to their full potential physically or spiritually should take whatever steps are necessary to live as God intended

Believers should confess their sins to one another (not some intermediary) and pray for each other so they may be healed. James notes that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective, citing Elijah’s prayers in the days of Ahab.

If a believer wanders from the truth, and another believer turns them from the error of their way back to the truth, a multitude of sins will be prevented, and the sinning person would be spared from death (either physical discipline as in 1 Corinthians 11, or spiritual as in Romans 8).