The
Book of James

Jesus had two apostles named James (Matthew 10: 2-3), but the
author of the book of James was James the brother of Jesus to whom the
resurrected Christ evidently had made a special appearance, and who was
prominent among the disciples. (Matthew 13:55, Acts 21:18, Galatians 1:19). The
book of James was written to the twelve lost tribes that were scattered abroad.
Those who would be the descendants of David, numerous as the stars of heaven and
sands of the sea. (Genesis 22:17, Jeremiah 33:22). We are talking about you a I
my friend, not just the Jews. "This message is to all Gods children."
James 1
1James,
a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are
scattered abroad, greeting. To all God's children of the twelve tribes
scattered abroad. (John 7:35, I Peter 1:1, Acts 2:5).
2My
brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.
If your life is full of difficulties and temptations, be happy
and don't worry. (Worrying will get you nowhere, it only causes bad health
and wrinkles). Why worry? You can't change the future anyway.
3Knowing
this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. When
times are rough your patience has a chance to grow stronger in the word.
4But
let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting
nothing. When your patience grows you become mature and
you will become mentally stronger. Your desires for material things will fade
away as you learn what is really important in life.
5If
any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally,
and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. If you want
to know what God wants you to do, just ask Him and He will be glad to tell you.
Let it be His will, not yours; then He will give you a bountiful amount of
wisdom that will help you in everyday life as well as in the word.
6But
let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of
the sea driven with the wind and tossed. Make sure when
you ask Him that you really expect Him to tell you and listen. "Don't have a
doubtful mind." Be serious and watch what you may ask for. Sometimes we are
not sure what we need in these flesh bodies; God knows what you need to survive
in this world.
7For
let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
Don't doubt God; if you don't ask with faith, don't expect to get
an answer. If you are not serious when talking to God, you won't get a serious
answer. (God has a sense of humor also).
8A
double minded man is unstable in all his ways. A double
minded man is never sure about anything; should I do this or should I do that,
maybe I'll try it this way. "Get your act together and start thinking straight."
9Let
the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted.
If you don't amount to much in this world, don't worry. You will be alright in
the Lord's eyes. Try your best at everything you do and that is acceptable
to the Lord. We are all precious to the Heavenly Father. Who knows, in the next
life you may be the top dog.
10But
the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall
pass away. The rich man in worldly things should be glad
that they mean nothing to the Lord because he will soon be gone. All the toys
will be left behind and you will be just like everyone else when you came into
this world.
11For
the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and
the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so
also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. Concentrate
on being rich spiritually and not things of the world. If you always strive for
worldly things, you will have nothing set aside spiritually. The worldly man
will just die and leave behind their riches and activities. The spiritual man
can takes his riches with him. (Spiritual things of God, knowledge and power in
the word).
12Blessed
is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the
crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Be happy when you don't give into temptations, and you will
receive the rewards God has promised you. Strive to control your actions and
emotions. (It's called willpower). Ask the Heavenly Father for help with
willpower when you need it. "Keep your head on straight and stay away from
trouble."
13Let
no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted
with evil, neither tempteth he any man. Remember when
someone wants you to do wrong, or that little voice inside you is telling you to
do the wrong thing, it is not from God. God never tempts someone to do wrong and
will never let you be tempted with something more than you can handle. But, He
will always show you a way out. (I Corinthians 10:13). And if you say what
burden has the Lord put on me today, you better watch out, because the Lord may
punish you for it. (Jeremiah 23:33-34). "God does not create trouble or
confusion."
14But
every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Temptation is brought on by yourself with lustful evil thoughts.
So don't say the devil made me do it. When you hang around evil (those with
evil thoughts and intentions), evil will creep into you. When the flesh comes in
contact with perversion, your mind will start to become perverted. Evil is not
prejudice, it likes everyone.
15Then
when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished,
bringeth forth death. Evil thoughts bring forth evil
actions and can lead to the death penalty from God. "Don't let the evil creep
in."
16Do
not err, my beloved brethren. So, don't be misled and do not be
deceived!
17Every
good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father
of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
All good and perfect things come from God. "The Father of light."
(Christians are people of light, not darkness). "Don't follow the dark side."
18Of
his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of
firstfruits of his creatures. James was saying to the brethren that it is
our Heavenly Fathers
will, that we became the first children in His new family. (Revelations 14:4).
19Wherefore,
my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to
wrath. It is always best to listen, speak little, and not
to become angry. Especially when you are learning the Word. It takes patience
and discipline when you study the Word of God. Forget what the others are
teaching about God; He will work within you and give you all the knowledge of
His word that you need for salvation and His master plan. (Most bible thumpers
are just after your wallet, always asking for offerings).
20For
the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Try
not to always be angry at the world, it is not God's way. It is God's way to see
others do good as well as yourself, so we should try to find the good in His
teachings and others also. (Look for Gods word that is good, not mans
teachings).
21Wherefore
lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with
meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Try to get rid of the wrong in your life to the best of your ability. Work towards the
goodness of the Word and make it a part of you. "The more you fill your cup with
goodness, the more evil will empty out."
22But
be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Don't just hear the Word. Practice it and do the good things that
it has taught you. "Faith without works is dead." Your good works is the only thing
that will follow you to heaven. (Revelations 14:13).
23For
if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding
his natural face in a glass. If you just hear the Word and
do not obey the Word as a doer, it is like looking into a mirror. (Just a
reflection of your fleshly self). "Don't be a hypocrite."
24For
he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner
of man he was. When you walk away from the mirror, you are
gone. You will never know what you are really like. "You will always be in
confusion."
25But
whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being
not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his
deed. If you keep looking into the Word, letting it sink
in till you become a doer of the Word, you will be blessed by God. Show others
you are a true Christian by setting the good example. You don't need to be
holier than thou; you just need to be a good caring person. One who is straight
and truthful, not set out to hurt or deceive others.
26If
any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but
deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. If
you are always pious or ceremonious (playing church), you are only fooling
yourself and your religion is not worth much. "Your just a phony."
27Pure
religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the
fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from
the world. To be a Christian in our Heavenly Fathers eyes
is to not follow the ways of the world, but rather to find out who you really
are. Learn the truth and teach it to others so that they may find out who they
are. We are all children of God in the many member body of Christ. We need to
stop the differences and act like true Christians. The evil is strong among us
today, we need to stand together or evil will prevail. Evil is plaguing this
country as we speak and is getting much stronger. Stand alone or stand together,
but you better make your stand with God.
James 2
1My
brethren, have not the
faith of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Lord of
glory, with respect of
persons.
How can you claim to be a Christian if you show favoritism to rich people and
look down on poor people. Then you show favoritism for a person
with a title over a
common person. (Look how
some people make such a
fuss over a doctor, a
priest, or a member of
council). You get the
picture. We were all
created equal and should be treated the same way.
2For
if there come unto your
assembly a man with a
gold ring, in goodly
apparel, and there come
in also a poor man in
vile raiment.
Here comes a man in your
church with
an expensive suit and a
gold ring, and
at the same time here
comes another man
dressed in regular
clothes because he is
poor. What happens?
3And
ye have respect to him
that weareth the gay
clothing, and say unto
him, Sit thou here in a
good place; and say to
the poor, Stand thou
there, or sit here under
my footstool.
You make such a fuss
over the rich man in
fancy clothes and give
him the best seat in the
house, while the poor
man is led to the back
of the church. "Always
looking for the big
donation."
4Are
ye not then partial in
yourselves, and are
become judges of evil
thoughts? Judging
a man by his wealth or
title shows that you are
guided by the wrong
motives. (A double
minded hypocrite).
5Hearken,
my beloved brethren,
Hath not God chosen the
poor of this world rich
in faith, and heirs of
the kingdom which he
hath promised to them
that love him?
God has chosen the poor
to be rich in faith. The
gift of the Kingdom of
Heaven is promised to
those who love Him no
matter what their
financial status. "Their
title will be greater in
heaven."
6But
ye have despised the
poor. Do not rich men
oppress you, and draw
you before the judgment
seats?
You despise the poor
man, and it is usually the
rich man that will bring
you to court, drag you
down, or rip you off.
(Money brings the worse
out in most people).
7Do
not they blaspheme that
worthy name by the which
ye are called?
They are the ones that
mock you as a Christian.
8If
ye fulfil the royal law
according to the
scripture, Thou shalt
love thy neighbour as
thyself, ye do well.
A Christian should love
their neighbor as
themselves. (The oldest
commandment in the
book).
9But
if ye have respect to
persons, ye commit sin,
and are convinced of the
law as transgressors.
You are sinning
when you favor the rich
over the poor. (Treat
everyone the same).
10For
whosoever shall keep the
whole law, and yet
offend in one point, he
is guilty of all.
Try to keep all the laws
of God, don't pick and
choose just the one's you
want.
11For
he that said, Do not
commit adultery, said
also, Do not kill. Now
if thou commit no
adultery, yet if thou
kill, thou art become a
transgressor of the law.
God said not to
commit adultery and also
do not murder. If you do
not commit adultery, but
murder someone, you have
entirely broken God's
laws. So don't depend on
Gods law to save you. (Do the
best you can and repent
to our Heavenly Father
when you do wrong).
12So
speak ye, and so do, as
they that shall be
judged by the law of
liberty.
You will
be judged if you are
doing what Christ wants
you to do. The new
covenant, "the Law of
Liberty."
13For
he shall have judgment
without mercy, that hath
shewed no mercy; and
mercy rejoiceth against
judgment.
There
will be no mercy to
those who have no mercy.
But, if you are
merciful, then God's
mercy on you will win
over His judgment.
14What
doth it profit, my
brethren, though a man
say he hath faith, and
have not works? can
faith save him?
You must have faith and
works. Faith without
works is just playing
church, and we have
plenty of that going on
in this country.
15If
a brother or sister be
naked, and destitute of
daily food. We
are speaking of someone really down on
their luck and going
through tough times.
16And
one of you say unto
them, Depart in peace,
be ye warmed and filled;
notwithstanding ye give
them not those things
which are needful to the
body; what doth it
profit?
If you
just say to them, well,
have a nice day, then go
on your way without
listening to them. What good does that
do? Listen to their
problem and maybe you
can help them in some
way.
17Even
so faith, if it hath not
works, is dead, being
alone.
Faith
without works is dead.
18Yea,
a man may say, Thou hast
faith, and I have works:
shew me thy faith
without thy works, and I
will shew thee my faith
by my works.
Some
may say all you need is
faith and nothing else.
But, without good works,
you cannot prove whether
you have faith or not.
(Faith and works go
together).
19Thou
believest that there is
one God; thou doest
well: the devils also
believe, and tremble.
Even the demons
know that there is one
God. Knowing about God
won't make it; He wants
you to tell others about
your faith. God wants to
see some action from
you.
20But
wilt thou know, O vain
man, that faith without
works is dead?
Faith that does not
result in good deeds is
not real faith.
21Was
not Abraham our father
justified by works, when
he had offered Isaac his
son upon the altar?
Abraham had the
faith and the works to
prove it because he was
willing to do what God
had asked him to do.
Offer his son Isaac as a
sacrifice. (God was just
testing him).
22Seest
thou how faith wrought
with his works, and by
works was faith made
perfect?
His
faith was made complete
by what he did. If you
just have faith and no
works, you are
spiritually dead.
23And
the scripture was
fulfilled which saith,
Abraham believed God,
and it was imputed unto
him for righteousness:
and he was called the
Friend of God.
It happened just as the
scripture said. Abraham
trusted God, and God
called him His friend.
(Isaiah 41:8).
24Ye
see then how that by
works a man is
justified, and not by
faith only.
A man
is saved by what he does
as well as what he
believes. Faith alone is
not enough, you need to
"do good" in God's eyes.
25Likewise
also was not Rahab the
harlot justified by
works, when she had
received the messengers,
and had sent them out
another way?
Rahab was another
example of faith and
works. She was saved
because of what she did
when she hid the
messengers and sent them
on their way safely down
a different road.
(Joshua 2:3).
26For
as the body without the
spirit is dead, so faith
without works is dead
also.
Just as the
body is dead when there
is no spirit in it, so
is faith without good
deeds. I am sure you
have heard the saying
before, "many talk the
talk, but don't walk the
walk."
James 3
1My
brethren, be not many
masters, knowing that we
shall receive the
greater condemnation.
You don't need to
be called master, rabbi,
or father to be a
teacher of the Word. If
we need these titles, we will receive
the greater punishment.
(Titles only puff people
up). Christ is the
only one who should be
called master because He
is the true master
teacher. And there is
only one Father and that
is our Heavenly Father.
(Matthew 23:7-11).
2For
in many things we offend
all. If any man offend
not in word, the same is
a perfect man, and able
also to bridle the whole
body.
Don't be
eager to tell others of
their faults. (You have
plenty of faults
yourself). We all
make mistakes and we are
all sinners. Control
your tongue and it will
prove you have control
over yourself. Teach
God's Word, not traditions
of men.
3Behold,
we put bits in the
horses' mouths, that
they may obey us; and we
turn about their whole
body.
We can control a large
horse with a small bit
in his mouth, but not a
woman or man. "Those
jaws just keep
flapping." (Could be
another good use for
duct tape).
4Behold
also the ships, which
though they be so great,
and are driven of fierce
winds, yet are they
turned about with a very
small helm,
whithersoever the
governor listeth.
We can turn a large ship
with a tiny rudder, but
not man or woman.
(Always going their own
way and will just run
you over).
5Even
so the tongue is a
little member, and
boasteth great things.
Behold, how great a
matter a little fire
kindleth!
The
tongue is a small thing,
but it can do a lot of
damage. Building up ones
self and taking all the
credit. Judging others
and putting people down.
As for most preachers,
they spew out
false teachings, and
traditions of men.
6And
the tongue is a fire, a
world of iniquity: so is
the tongue among our
members, that it
defileth the whole body,
and setteth on fire the
course of nature; and it
is set on fire of hell.
The tongue can be full
of wickedness, gossip,
and false teachings. The
tongue can be set on
fire by hell itself. If
you can't control your
tongue, "keep your mouth
shut." (People will
survive without your
opinion).
7For
every kind of beasts,
and of birds, and of
serpents, and of things
in the sea, is tamed,
and hath been tamed of
mankind. Man can
tame the animals and
just about everything
else.
8But
the tongue can no man
tame; it is an unruly
evil, full of deadly
poison.
But the
man can't tame his own
tongue. It is always
ready to spew out it's
deadly poison. (Look
around and listen to the
trash that comes out of
peoples mouth, and the
trash put out by
Hollywood and the
media).
9Therewith
bless we God, even the
Father; and therewith
curse we men, which are
made after the
similitude of God.
Sometimes the tongue can
praise God; but other
times it curses men who
are made in the image of
God. (When you hurt Gods
children, you hurt God).
10Out
of the same mouth
proceedeth blessing and
cursing. My brethren,
these things ought not
so to be.
Blessings and cursing
come out of the same
mouth. We are talking
about teachers here and
they know this should
not happen, but they
just keep flapping their
jaws.
11Doth
a fountain send forth at
the same place sweet
water and bitter?
A fountain does not give
us good water and then
poison water. Neither
should a teacher of the
Word.
(Keep it straight to the
point and stick to the
truth).
12Can
the fig tree, my
brethren, bear olive
berries? either a vine,
figs? so can no fountain
both yield salt water
and fresh.
You
can't pick olives from a
fig tree and a fountain
won't give you both
fresh water and salty
water. Again we are
talking about teachers
of the Word here. You
can tell a good teacher
by just listening to
them. (God gives you the
discernment, so use it).
This may sound a little
hard or harsh to some,
but it is your salvation
at stake. Don't throw it
away by listening to a
bunch of false
teachings, and
traditions of men.
(Stick with those who
are not affiliated and
controlled by a certain
denomination). A good
teacher sticks with Gods
Word, not a controlling
religion.
13Who
is a wise man and endued
with knowledge among
you? let him shew out of
a good conversation his
works with meekness of
wisdom.
If you are to be a wise
teacher, good deeds and
truth will come from
you, and you will never
take the credit for it.
A good teacher will
always give God all the
credit and glory. (A
humble teacher is a good
servant).
14But
if ye have bitter
envying and strife in
your hearts, glory not,
and lie not against the
truth.
Don't brag
about being wise if you
are bitter and have
jealousy in your hearts.
And don't twist the Word
of God with your lies
trying to make others
feel good and secure.
15This
wisdom descendeth not
from above, but is
earthly, sensual,
devilish.
This
kind of behavior is not
of God, but of the
flesh and of the devil.
16For
where envying and strife
is, there is confusion
and every evil work.
Where there is jealousy
and selfish ambition,
there is confusion and
evil works. "This is not
of God."
17But
the wisdom that is from
above is first pure,
then peaceable, gentle,
and easy to be intreated,
full of mercy and good
fruits, without
partiality, and without
hypocrisy.
The
wisdom that comes from
God is pure and simple.
Straight forward truth,
leaving out all
hypocrisy, false
teachings, traditions
and doctrines of men.
18And
the fruit of
righteousness is sown in
peace of them that make
peace.
True
teachers of the Word
will plant seeds of
truth and peace and will
reap a harvest of
goodness. Blessed are
the peacemakers, the
children of the living
God. (Matthew 5:9).
James 4
1From
whence come wars and
fightings among you?
come they not hence,
even of your lusts that
war in your members?
Why all the quarrels
among all you teachers
and members of the
church? Isn't it because
of all the evil desires
within you? Teachers and
members of the church
are supposed to be
peaceful and get along.
2Ye
lust, and have not: ye
kill, and desire to
have, and cannot obtain:
ye fight and war, yet ye
have not, because ye ask
not.
You want
what you don't have so
you fight or kill to get
it. Usually it is things
that are not of God, and
the reason you don't get
it is because you don't
ask God for it. (Ask if
it be Gods will when you
need something).
3Ye
ask, and receive not,
because ye ask amiss,
that ye may consume it
upon your lusts.
Again, when you do ask
for something, it is
usually something that
will give you pleasure.
Ask for the things you
need from God, not the
things that will just
please your flesh body.
4Ye
adulterers and
adulteresses, know ye
not that the friendship
of the world is enmity
with God? whosoever
therefore will be a
friend of the world is
the enemy of God.
Making friends with the
enemies of God and the
pleasures of the world
makes you an enemy of
God. (Genesis 6:5,
Romans 1:28-31). "Watch
who you hang with."
5Do
ye think that the
scripture saith in vain,
The spirit that dwelleth
in us lusteth to envy?
What do you think
it means when the
scriptures say that the
Holy Spirit that dwells
in us watches over us.
(The Holy Spirit is what
guides you to all good
things of God).
6But
he giveth more grace.
Wherefore he saith, God
resisteth the proud, but
giveth grace unto the
humble.
God gives
us the strength through
the Holy Spirit to stand
against enemies and
pleasures of the world.
He gives strength to the
humble, but sets himself
against the proud.
(Pride was Satan's
downfall).
7Submit
yourselves therefore to
God. Resist the devil,
and he will flee from
you.
Resist those
evil spirits. Ask God
and they will flee from
you. (Demand they leave
in Jesus name).
8Draw
nigh to God, and he will
draw nigh to you.
Cleanse your hands, ye
sinners; and purify your
hearts, ye double
minded.
Draw
close to God and stick
to His Word and He will
draw closer to you. Wash
your hands of sin and
don't be double minded.
Stick to the Word of
God and not traditions
of men.
9Be
afflicted, and mourn,
and weep: let your
laughter be turned to
mourning, and your joy
to heaviness.
Be sincere when you
repent for things you
have done wrong. There
should be sadness and
not laughter. (This is
serious business).
10Humble
yourselves in the sight
of the Lord, and he
shall lift you up.
When you humble
yourself before God, He
will lift you up and
encourage you.
11Speak
not evil one of another,
brethren. He that
speaketh evil of his
brother, and judgeth his
brother, speaketh evil
of the law, and judgeth
the law: but if thou
judge the law, thou art
not a doer of the law,
but a judge.
Don't criticize and
judge others. When you
do, you are breaking the
law of God that you are
suppose to obey. Only
God has the right to
judge others. "Speak
good of others or keep
your mouth shut." I know
this is a hard one for
many people, especially
with all the trash
talkers in social media
and television.
12There
is one lawgiver, who is
able to save and to
destroy: who art thou
that judgest another?
Our Heavenly
Father is the real
judge. He is the one who
can save you or destroy
you. (Matthew 10:28).
"Never think any man or
woman can save you, they
can't even save
themselves."
13Go
to now, ye that say, To
day or to morrow we will
go into such a city, and
continue there a year,
and buy and sell, and
get gain.
You say
that today or tomorrow
you will go and start a
profitable business here,
or in some other town
leaving God out of the
equation. "No way!"
Leave God out of the
equation and you are
setting up for failure.
14Whereas
ye know not what shall
be on the morrow. For
what is your life? It is
even a vapour, that
appeareth for a little
time, and then vanisheth
away.
Your life
is as uncertain as the
morning fog. Here one
minute and gone the
next. Remember that all
souls belong to God.
(Ezekiel 18:4). He can
take you any time He
wants.
15For
that ye ought to say, If
the Lord will, we shall
live, and do this, or
that.
It should
be more like, "if the
Lord wills, I will do
this." This is true
wisdom, knowing that God
is in control.
16But
now ye rejoice in your
boastings: all such
rejoicing is evil.
When you brag
about your own plans,
this never pleases God.
(It only shows how
puffed up you really
are).
17Therefore
to him that knoweth to
do good, and doeth it
not, to him it is sin.
If you know better and
do wrong it is a sin. If
you did not know, then
that is forgivable. God
is not out to get you,
He is longing that all
will come to repentance.
(II Peter 3:9). When you
sin, repent to the
heavenly Father and move
on. He forgives you, so
make sure you forgive
yourself; and always be
willing to forgive
others when they sin
against you. (This is
part of being a good
Christian).
James 5
1Go
to now, ye rich men,
weep and howl for your
miseries that shall come
upon you.
Enjoy your riches now all you wealthy people, because the
enema is coming. You
will pay for all your
scams and conning people
out of money. Using
others to benefit
yourself.
2Your
riches are corrupted,
and your garments are
motheaten.
Your
riches won't last, they
are rotting away as we
speak. Corporate America
is in for a big surprise
during the next market
crash.
3Your
gold and silver is
cankered; and the rust
of them shall be a
witness against you, and
shall eat your flesh as
it were fire. Ye have
heaped treasure together
for the last days.
The value of your
assets is dropping fast
and will stand evidence
against you come
judgment day. (Your
wealth will be worthless
in the end times).
4Behold,
the hire of the
labourers who have
reaped down your fields,
which is of you kept
back by fraud, crieth:
and the cries of them
which have reaped are
entered into the ears of
the Lord of sabaoth.
Hear the cries of
the hard workers that
you have cheated of
their pay because of
your greed. Their cries
have reached the ears of
the Lord of Host. (It's
a shame that those
working for minimum wage
struggle so hard day to
day while corporate
America is living high
on the hog).
5Ye
have lived in pleasure
on the earth, and been
wanton; ye have
nourished your hearts,
as in a day of
slaughter.
You
have spent your years on
earth having fun,
satisfying yourselves
with every pleasure. Now
your fat hearts are
ready for the slaughter
of the end times. "Get
ready, its coming soon."
6Ye
have condemned and
killed the just; and he
doth not resist you.
You condemned and
killed good men who
could not defend
themselves against you.
You did it in the days
of old; you persecuted the prophets
and killed the Just One,
Jesus Christ. (Acts
7:52). God will not
forget all the torture
and killing of innocent
Christians by your pious
religious organizations
in the past.
7Be
patient therefore,
brethren, unto the
coming of the Lord.
Behold, the husbandman
waiteth for the precious
fruit of the earth, and
hath long patience for
it, until he receive the
early and latter rain.
We know as true
Christians, how
anxious you are for the
return of the Lord, but
you need to be patient.
Just as the farmer waits
until harvest time for
his crops.
8Be
ye also patient;
stablish your hearts:
for the coming of the
Lord draweth nigh.
Be patient and
have courage, the coming
of the Lord is near. We
are in the generation of
the later rain. "Hang
till the end and your
reward will be great."
9Grudge
not one against another,
brethren, lest ye be
condemned: behold, the
judge standeth before
the door.
Don't
fight among each other,
because God stands at
the door as judge. (You
do not want to become
divided like this
country today). "The
whole country is in
confusion."
10Take,
my brethren, the
prophets, who have
spoken in the name of
the Lord, for an example
of suffering affliction,
and of patience.
Look at the suffering
the prophets went
through. They had
patience with God. It
takes time, patience and
understanding to be a
true follower of God.
(The time of the just to
be rewarded is coming
real soon). Your reward
will be eternal life;
those who defy God will
have eternal damnation.
11Behold,
we count them happy
which endure. Ye have
heard of the patience of
Job, and have seen the
end of the Lord; that
the Lord is very
pitiful, and of tender
mercy.
The
prophets were happy
because they stayed true
to the Lord. Look at Job
as an example of man who
continued to trust the
Lord in his sorrow. The
Lord's plan for Job
ended in tenderness and
mercy. The Lord is
compassionate. (All will
be well for those who
believe and do the work
of the Lord).
12But
above all things, my
brethren, swear not,
neither by heaven,
neither by the earth,
neither by any other
oath: but let your yea
be yea; and your nay,
nay; lest ye fall into
condemnation.
Don't swear by heaven or
earth, or anything else.
A simple yes or no is
sufficient. Don't listen
to false teachings and
traditions of men,
listen to God, not man.
13Is
any among you afflicted?
let him pray. Is any
merry? let him sing
psalms.
If you
are suffering, pray
about it, If you are
happy, praise and thank
the Lord.
14Is
any sick among you? let
him call for the elders
of the church; and let
them pray over him,
anointing him with oil
in the name of the Lord.
Anoint those who are
sick with the oil of our
people. Listen to God
and anoint them in Jesus
name. "Christ is the
anointed one."
Believe and you will be
healed; and God will
always show you the way
to your healing.
15And
the prayer of faith
shall save the sick, and
the Lord shall raise him
up; and if he have
committed sins, they
shall be forgiven him.
If their prayer
is offered in good
faith, the Lord will
heal them and forgive
them. (You must believe
that God will heal you,
or show you the way to
be healed). Healings
come in many different
ways, so be patient and
listen to the Lord.
16Confess
your faults one to
another, and pray one
for another, that ye may
be healed. The effectual
fervent prayer of a
righteous man availeth
much.
This is not talking
about telling another
man your sins; it is
about being a testimony
to the living God.
A good
testimony can go a long
way if it is true and
from the heart. God will
hear you if you are
patient.
17Elias
was a man subject to
like passions as we are,
and he prayed earnestly
that it might not rain:
and it rained not on the
earth by the space of
three years and six
months.
Elijah
was just a common man
like us, but God used
him. He prayed for it
not to rain for 3.5
years, and it didn't. (I
Kings 17). Never think
the common man has no
power in the Lord; its
the humble He gives His
blessings, and the
common man His
knowledge.
18And
he prayed again, and the
heaven gave rain, and
the earth brought forth
her fruit. Elijah
prayed again for the
later rain and it did.
(I Kings 18). God will
use Elijah again in the
end times for the later
rain of hearing the
truth of the Word.
(Malachi 4:5-6). "The
truth in Gods word is
spreading like wildfire
in these days; "do you
have the eyes to see and
ears to hear?"
19Brethren,
if any of you do err
from the truth, and one
convert him. If
one slips away from the
faith and no longer
trusts God, and one
helps him understand the
truth again.
20Let
him know, that he which
converteth the sinner
from the error of his
way shall save a soul
from death, and shall
hide a multitude of
sins.
The person who brought
him back to the Lord has
saved a wondering soul.
God will bless you for
it and redeem you from a
multiple of
sin. Always share the
truth of the Word with
others as the Lord gives
it to you, and He will
always bless you for it.
"God loves a productive
Christian." (Don't sit
back like a load and
think you will benefit
in all the glory just
because your a
believer). Those who do
the work, "the will of
the Lord," will receive
all the glory and
rewards. (Be a doer, not
a talker). James was a
fantastic teacher of the
word bringing truth of
Christ to the brethren;
a warning to the
wealthy, religious
organizations, and hope
to the common man. We
can learn so much from
James, after all, he was
the brother of Jesus. click here to
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Keep The Faith,
Bart
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