Faith seen in purity James 4:1-5-6 (purity seen in wholehearted devotion and humility)
Faith Works – James offers us help in how to put the words of Jesus into practice. James found personal interaction with Jesus to be life-changing. James heard Jesus teaching with questions along the lines of, “What’s going on in your heart?”
Purity – freedom from contamination, lack of pollution,
“God opposes the proud but favors the humble.” – James 4:6 1 Peter 5:5 Proverbs 3:34
“Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in light of God’s holiness and our sinfulness.” – C. J. Mahaney
Humility gets God’s attention: “I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts,” Isaiah 66:2 God addressing the Israelites who were not showing humility in their relationship with him.
“Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18
“Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.” Mark 9:35
“We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.” – 1 John 3:16
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Matthew 20:28
“How can anyone be arrogant when we stands beside the cross?” – Carl Henry
What do we learn about God?
1. God gives grace to the humble.
2. God responds to our wholehearted devotion.
3. God alone has ultimate power and right to judge.
4. God is in control.
How should we respond?
1. Realize that there is a God and you are not God.
2. Receive the grace of God found in Jesus.
3. Love God with wholehearted devotion.
4. Share the love of God with others.
How do we do this?
C. J. Mahaney’s Practical Strategy:
(excerpt Humility: True Greatness)
1. Reflect on the wonder of the cross.
2. Begin your day acknowledging your need for God.
3. Begin your day expressing gratitude to God.
4. Cast Your Cares on God.
5. Study the attributes of God, grace, and sin.
6. Speak truth to yourself.
“Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself?” – Martyn Lloyd-Jones Spiritual Depression
Are you spending time speaking truth to yourself?
7. Laugh often.
“Laughter is a divine gift to the human who is humble. A proud man cannot laugh because he must watch his dignity; he cannot give himself over to the rocking and rolling of his belly. But a poor and happy man laughs heartily because he gives no serious attention to his ego.” – “Surprised by Laughter: The Comic World of C. S. Lewis” by Terry Lindvall
“Man is the only animal that blushes. Or needs to.” – Mark Twain Pudd’nhead Wilson’s New Calendar
“Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand.” – Mark Twain The Mysterious Stranger
Here’s the outline we will be working from:
James – the principles of faith-works.
I. Faith seen in growth James 1:1-21
II. Faith seen in works James 1:22-2:26
III. Faith seen in words James 3:1-18
IV. Faith seen in purity James 4:1-5:6
V. Faith seen in patience James 5:7-12
VI. Faith seen in prayer James 5:13-20