Covenanter Witness Vol. 53 - Rparchives.org

view."ren,"lected for our study one evening eachmonth, places primarily emphasis uponpractical morality. But James does notcontradict Paul. Rather he supplementshim. If there had been irreconcilable differences between this book of James andthe Epistles of Paul, the Church, underthe guidance of the Holy Spirit, wouldnot have given this epistle a place in thecanon. Luther evidently misunderstood itspractical message when he called it a"straw"epistle. The Lutheran Church,however, did not follow her leader inthis unfavorable judgment. James is emphasizing the evidence of our faith."Though a man say he hath faith, andhave not works, can faith save him?"We must do more than "say." If Paulis the Apostle of Faith, John the Apostleof Love and Peter the Apostle of Hope,would James be the Apostle of Works?Faith without works is as dead as thebody without the spirit (James 2:26).AUTHOR. James 1:1James is the English form for JacobThen as now the name was quite common. James the Son of Zebedee, Matt. 4:21; James the Son of Alphaeus, Matt. 10:3 and James, the "Lord's brother, (Matt.13:55; Gal. 1:19) were three leaders bythis name in the Early Church. Doubtlessit is James the Lord's brother who is theauthor of this Epistle. In his early life heseemed to be ashamed to be known as amember of the same family, now he is delighted to call himself a "servant of Godand of the Lord Jesus Christ. .Thisis as it should be. During this year maywe strive more earnestly to live whollyin the will of Christ servants of Godand of the Lord Jesus Christ.Dr. Philip Schaff says, "This 'Brothertheory'is exegetically the most naturalOne of the arguments against this"brother-theory"is that Jesus committedthe care of His mother to John and notto her own sons and daughters as wewould naturally expect (John 19:25,Matt. 13:55-58). The reason for thisseems to be that His brethren did not believe on Him (John 7:5; Mark 6:4). Nodoubt this failure of His brethren to believe on Him during His earthly life wasone of the trials of Jesus for He wastempted in all points as we are . .(Heb. 4:15).After His resurrection Jesus appearedto James (I Cor. 15:7). What a meetingthis must have been I What preciousmemories it had for James! Here nodoubt was the turning point in this unbelieving brother and on the Day ofPentecost His brethren were among thosewho were gathered together in the upperroom (Acts 1:13-15). How long-sufferingJesus is!James was in a Position of Leadership380The Lord's brother had a prominentposition among the Jewish people in Jerusalem. Was he one of the "pillars" inthe Jerusalem Church? Acts 12:17; 15:13;Gal. 2:9. Perhaps the position and authorityof James was abused by theJudaizing party (Gal. 2:12) for Jamesrecognized Paul's call to the Gentiles andknew something of the dangers which heendured for the Name of the Lord JesusChrist (Acts 15:26). James, Cephas andJohn gave the right hand of fellowshipto Paul and Barnabas (Gal. 2:9). Sowhatever differences there may have beenbetween these two, they had much morein common. Both were redeemed by thesame precious Saviour. Both preachedthe same glorious Gospel. Both werebond servants of the Lord Jesus Christ."Legends gather around the memoryof great men, and reveal the deep impression theymade upon their friendsand followers. The character which shinesthrough these James-legends is that of aloyal, zealous, devout,consistent HebrewChristian, who by his personal purity andholiness secured the reverence and affection of all around him." Dr. Schaff. Isit any wonder that he was called "Jamesthe Just"?To Whom Is the Epistle Addressed?It is addressed to the Jews and JewishChristians of the Dispersion "my breth"my beloved brethren," an expression which is found fifteen times in theEpistle. At the time this Epistle waswritten many of these brethren were beingtempted, tried, despised and oppressed(1:2-3, 12; 2:6; 5:6). The rich and powerful Jews oppressed and persecuted thosewho believed. Their faith was being tried.Life was hard. Before hisconversion,Saul was one of these bitter persecutors(Acts 8:1). But even if they were beingtried, they were to count it all joy. Is notthat the reverse of the ordinary and natural view of affliction? But can any"bad"thing come to the believer? Mustnot "all things work together for goodto them that love God?" (Rom. 8:28).Chastening for the present may seemgrievous; nevertheless afterward it yieldeththe peaceable fruit of righteousness. .(Heb. 12:11). And for those who enduretemptation there is the "Crown of life"which is promised to them who love theLord (James 1:12).Some claim that it is hard to believethese promises. Is it hard for children tobelieve the promises of loving parents?Why should it be hard for us if.wetrulybelieve in the goodness, the truthfulness,and the love of a Heavenly Father as Heis revealed in the Holy Scriptures? "Ifye then being evil, know how to givegood gifts unto your children, how muchmore shall your heavenly Father give theHoly Spirit to them that ask Him?"(Luke 11:13).But we often find it hard to wait forthe fulfillment of these promises. In ourdistress we feel that the Lord has forgotten us. Evidently they were makingthe same complaint in the early Churchfor James urged his brethren to be patientto let patience have her perfectwork, that theyentire, wantingmight? be perfect andnothing. The word "perfect" suggests maturity or completion.The word "entire" means completion inall its parts. A man is not "entire" if hehas lost an arm or an eye. Who of usdoes not need this grace of patience? Thefarmer must wait for months for hisharvest. The prophets were afflicted andtheir patience under very trying circumstances is an example to us. And shallwe not find as Job did that the Lord isvery pitiful and of tender mercy? James5:12. May the Lord give us grace to waitpatiently for Him. He does not forget hischildren. But like the refiner He is waiting for the perfected results."Why do we not tremble? Because wedo not fear any of the adversities of thislife. What could inspire us with terror?Death? We run so much the sooner intothe haven of repose. The loss of earthlyriches? Naked came I out of my mother'swomb and naked shall I return thither.Exile? The earth is the Lord's. False accusation? Blessed are ye, when men shallrevile you I looked upon the perilsand my eye beheld in spirit the Crown ofGlory."Chrysostom. May we in all ourtrials and temptations let patience haveher perfect work.PRAYER:For Christian patience;for ourmissionaries in Japan, Syria, andCyprus; for grace "to conform ourlives to the teaching and exampleof our Lord Jesus Christ."QUESTIONS:1. How was James qualified for theimportant position which he held?2. What is the essential message ofthe Epistle of James?3. How is patience a manifestation of a living faith?WHITE LAKE: Our ThanksgivingService was held again this year inunion with the Methodists and Presbyterians of this community. Last year theservice was held in the PresbyterianChurch and for our benefit, only thePsalms were used and they were sung ACappella. This year in the MethodistChurch the 23rd Psalm was sung justbefore the message. After one long blaston the organ it was shut off and we allsang this Psalm to God's praise. We enjoyed it and I feel sure that God did too.NEW YORK CITY: The Bible StudyGroup met at the home of Miss Jean McKnight in Brooklyn Friday, December 3.COVENANTER WITNESS