Faith Obeys The Word

The Purpose Of Test

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

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

5 If 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.

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:

10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

11 For 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.

12 Blessed 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.

The Source Of Temptations

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

17 Every 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.

18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Faith Obeys The Word

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

23 For 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:

24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

25 But 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.

26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

27 Pure 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.

Love, Walter and Debbie

Saturday 6-10-23 7th. Day Of The Weekly Cycle, Sivan 21 5783, 83rd. Spring Day

James 1

The Purpose Of Test

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

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

5 If 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.

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:

10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

11 For 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.

12 Blessed 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.

The Source Of Temptations

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

17 Every 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.

18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Faith Obeys The Word

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

23 For 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:

24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

25 But 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.

26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

27 Pure 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.

Love, Walter and Debbie

op: faith obeys The Word?
Yes, but Which Word?:

To Israel (OT, Mat-Joh, Heb-Rev)?

Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15) From “Things That Differ” (online)

To The Body Of Christ (Romans - Philemon)?

or both?

Hello Grace_ambassador, We will take a look at what you have here, but I meant in James:1, verses 19-27.

Love, Walter

amen faith is planted by hearing Gods word

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

when you hear what God said in any situation it’s always true. and if we inderstsns even if God says something before it happens it’s still true even before we see it , if his word is heard and believed this way obedience is a fruit or reaction coming because the person is convicted that Gods word is always true

faith is like this first God speaks to a man to create e power in the man’s action if he obeys

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.

( until God said this to Moses it didn’t exist to be believed and acted upon notice the power is still Gods word that said “ it shall be “ but it also requires Moses obedience in order to happen because Gods speaking it to and through Moses it requires Moses to act to release the creative power of what God said to happen as he said to Moses do this , so that it may be )

And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days:”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭10:21-22‬ ‭

Gods word of faith spoken to Moses is fulfilled because Moses fulfilled it he acted upon the word of God knowing it’s power and always is irrevocable

It works in tbe opposite way unfortunately as well when he tells man a warning like this it’s also the same word that is always true

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2:16-17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This is the same word spoken to Moses God tells Adam of you do this , your going to die certainly “ just as he told Moses “ if you do this , this will happen “ in a positive way the negative also is true of Gods word when we break the warnings and disregard them we’re bringing the curse upon our own selves that he’s warned us about what not to do and when we won’t obey what he’s telling us to actually do , we’re cursing ourselves and then refusing to do what he’s said will bless us

gods word is the source it always has been

“And God said, Let there be light:

and there was light.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The structure of this is pure it is Gods command the light that shines is the word because he declares it as the creator. No man is between God and the fulfillment but later when man comes Hod speaks this word of faiths creative power to and through man like with Moses same word but different structure now inviting man to be a part of this faith

so God says

Lift up your hand to the heaven moses

and I will darken the sky of Egypt for three days

if man obeys Gods word is infallible that is truth but we have to consider both sides of it what happens if we eat the fruit ? Like Satan suggests after Gods true word told us we shall die if we do it ?

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:15-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

If we were to hear this and believe it and agree upon it as Christian’s everyone would just simply act in the first steps of faith and would believe then “ He’s going to save me I know this and trust it “ but also we would be learning the gospel and believing unto righteousness and accepting the things he taught and commanded with the same word spoken to create light , to darken the skies over Egypt

The same word presched the gospel and will judge us

“Yes, but Which Word?:”

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
‭‭John‬ ‭1:1‬ ‭

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.”
‭‭John‬ ‭1:14‬ ‭

“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”
‭‭John‬ ‭1:17‬ ‭

Faith obeys the lords word The one that offers eternal Life in the gospel when he spoke himself

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5:24‬ ‭

The one that offers freedom by the knowledge of the truth when he spoke himself

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
‭‭John‬ ‭8:31-32‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The word that Jesus says quickens us and is the spirit and life

“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

( and Peter says are the words of eternal life )

Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.”
‭‭John‬ ‭6:63, 68-69‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The ones Jesus said will judge all who reject them in the end but save all who accept them as quotes above in John 5


“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.”
‭‭John‬ ‭12:48-50‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The words the prophets and Jesus said would last forever

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24:35‬ ‭KJV‬‬

the ones he sent to all nations until the end of the world Promising salvstion

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28:18-20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The ones Jesus says he was born to witness to the world the truth and the words all acknowledge who are of truth

“Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”
‭‭John‬ ‭18:37‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The truth Paul is talking about here

“But ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; ( repentance )

and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; ( believe the word of Christ that can create you anew if we don’t reject it )

and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

(( obedience sounds something like this as a sample as pup continues )

Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil.

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: ( repent )

and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”( be kind and good and forgiving to each other )
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:20-32‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The word of salvstion that Jesus preached the. His apostles preached regarding repentance and remission of sins

“how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord,

and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; ( apostles )

God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭2:3-4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

(The same word that Paul was trying to stop from spreading at this time )

“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:42-44, 46-47‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul was persecuting and trying to end the church and the word of salvation

Who are the "twelve tribes" in verse one to which the letter is addressed?

Hello John, The twelve tribes of Israel come from 12 sons of Jacob - Ruben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Joseph, Benjamin. The tribes made up the identity of the nation of Israel and were important to God's plan.

Yes, so the doctrine found within the book of James should be rightly placed upon the nation of Israel and not the body of Christ. Yes?

James 1:2-4

James 1:5

No… James, a believer in Jesus (1:1), was writing to his fellow believing Christians among God’s chosen people. Verse 3 tells us that their faith was being tried. There is nothing in the book of James that should not apply to any believer.

The term "twelve tribes" is never a term designated to Christians. To use this term for Christians is violating every other usage throughout scripture. I'm not willing to do that. The term "twelve tribes" is always a term to describe the nation of Israel as a whole and not a called out group from that nation.

Personal application and doctrine are two different things. I can find personal application in the story of Noah as he was commanded to build an ark, get inside, and be saved. But doctrinally, I am not to take those directions and go build an ark and expect to be saved. The book of Acts is doctrinally written to the nation of Israel during their time of trouble. There are things throughout the book that we can apply personally, but we better be careful when it comes to doctrine.

It is always wise to understand the audience of any particular writing. It aids us in discovering, at least in part, the writer's aim. And this is certainly true of the Bible. But if it the only criteria, then nearly the entire Bible would be easily ignored. What would we make of the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts? They are written to one lone person.

Ok. So what is the direction given by James that you object to?

The book of Luke is addressed to one person, but as one reads, Jesus gives doctrine to the Jews and his disciples. The body of Christ must be careful obtaining doctrine from either of those books. The book of Acts is a continuation of the historical account of Luke and the early church as it transitions from Jew to Gentile, Peter to Paul, and Jerusalem to Antioch.

While it is true that Jesus came primarily to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, He also had sheep of another pasture...the Gentiles. And it was always God's plan to bring salvation to the whole world under the New Covenant. There is no more Greek or Jew...only Christ and Him crucified. The wall of partition has been torn down. There is only the new creation with Jesus as the firstfruit.

Just a few...

1. James 2:24, The body of Christ is not justified by works, but by faith only. The faith of Christ justifies the believer. See Galatians 2:16.
2. The rich are condemned throughout the book. During the Church Age, rich brethren are not to be condemned but commanded to use their riches wisely to good works.
3. James 4, warning to the Jews during their time of trouble.
4. James 5:14-16, oil and laying on of hands will not heal the sick nor forgive sins during the Church Age.
5. Jesus is standing ready to judge the nations because his return is imminent (literally during the time of Jacob's trouble). During the Church Age Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father making intercession for the saints. (This is not directions to follow but general truth.)