College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
James 4:1-12
CHAPTER VIII
CAUSE AND REMEDY OF STRIFE
Introduction
Can it be possible that the church of Jesus Christ could descend to the sins mentioned here so soon after Pentecost? In less than half a century could there be war in the kingdom of God on earth? Lusting, killing (at least in spirit), coveting, fighting, adulteresses who embrace worldliness, not subject to God, but the devil; with impure hands and filthy hearts; double - the midst of their sins - surely this cannot be the church of Jesus Christ!
Yet James, who calls himself a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, calls these sinners: my brethren (James 1:2; James 2:1; James 3:1) the brother of low degree (James 1:9; my beloved brethren (James 1:16; James 1:19.); a brother and his brother (James 4:11); brethren (James 5:7) etc. James is quite clear within the epistle that some of the brethren may err from the truth and face eternal death in the end because of the multitude of sins (see James 5:20). But even as he admits this possibility (and probability), he says; My brethren, if any among you err from the truth. (James 5:20 a)
Paul has the same spirit in the First Corinthian letter. In listing sins so numerous, so vile, and so contemptuous that few Christians today would dare call those who do them brothers, Paul calls them the church of God which is at Corinth, even them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints.. (1 Corinthians 1:2). Then he says, even within the letter which clearly states some shall be judged, that some are guilty of the body and the blood of Jesus, that they provoke the Lord to jealousy, and that some are continuing in the same sins by which they shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
And what is the lesson for us? It is God that accepts and God that rejects. His Word is the standard, and He is the judge. The church is not in the business of punishing saints for their sins, but rather to persuade them to repentance that a soul might be saved from death. New converts in Christ do not come from the watery grave of baptism heavy with the fruit of the Spirit, but rather bud and sprout from the Spirit within; and there is a growth in Christ, and a continual putting on. There is often a stumbling and a falling, and a picking up. There is temptation, and there is repentance; and baptism removes neither the devil, nor the necessity for repentance for sins committed. Growth in the Christian graces is usually gradual.
But the miracle is there! Rebirth gives within the saint the Spirit of Christ, and a new nature for the man, There is a love for Jesus, and a repentant attitude that brings grief when the saint sins. There is the blood of Christ that has removed all sin's guilt so that with the grace of faultlessness the saint picks himself up from his sin and turns to Jesus; humiliated and shamed by his own weakness, but thankful and grateful for salvation in Christ. With a loving heart he seeks forgiveness as a son who talks to his father. Sinners yet, but sinners saved by grace. Sinners yet, but sinners growing and glowing in the love of Christ. Sinners yet, but sinners who have a hope and a promise. Sinners in fact but saints in grace.
To the sinning members of the church of Jesus Christ in Corinth, Paul said, but ye were washed, but ye were sanctified, but ye were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11). This is the appeal of James as he addresses: my brethren, my beloved brethren. This is the appeal of John as he says, my little children.
Though the time may come when the church must withdraw from every brother that walketh (continues to walk) disorderly, the call to repentance must be patient and continued in love; with a hopeful and loving spirit, with an expectancy to rejoice over the soul saved from death and the multitude of sins covered. This is what we see again and again in the New Testament: the example of the apostles and prophets as they issue the loving call to repentance to the saints of God.
The picture of the sinning brethren to whom James addresses the epistle is not pretty. In fact, some commentators who earlier wished to discredit the epistle, claimed that the description in James 4:1-12 showed the book to be uninspired and a product of Jewish writers who were not even Christians, but adjusted and adapted in such a way as to fit the cannon of Scriptures.
Let us be honest, brethren! There is sin in the church; and that, often! We as Christians do need to repent; and that, often! Christ not only was my Savior, but is continually my Savior. Without Him I have no life. It is not just grace that I needed, but grace upon grace that I now need!
Growth I must have, but perfection eludes me, for as I grow I see Him more clearly; and what was no sin to me yesterday has become sin to me today. This is true when my eyes focus upon Him more clearly and my heart becomes more attuned to His wonderful Word. The further down the road I get, the more I yearn for flawlessness, for a complete overcoming. The closer to Jesus the more beautiful His flawless character becomes and the more acute is my longing to be like Him. Death becomes no more that dreaded monster that robs life, but rather that gateway through which I find eternal life; through which I go to be with Him and through which I go to be like Him.
James in analysing the destructive strife within the saint describes heart of the trouble as selfish pleasure. Love of self and enrapture with the senses can be overcome, but only through a complete dedication to God. The only way to overcome is to lose oneself in God: complete subjection; coupled with resisting the devil. When we humble ourselves to God He exalts us as if we were righteous, and we continue to proceed from where we are to where we should be.
Then, finally, James returns to the original thought. we are not the judges of our brethren, but God is. As sinners we are not fitted to be judges; and as being subject to God, we did not originate the law of God. We, being neither able to save not to destroy, along with our brother, must submit ourselves to Him who is able to save and destroy.
THIRTEEN THREE-POINT SERMON STARTERS
A WAR THAT MAKES WARS James 4:1-2
A.
War in your members, within your body. (James 4:1 b).
(Lustful pleasures that demand satisfaction).
B.
Lusting, killing, coveting, fighting, warring. (James 4:2 a).
(The coveting saint makes war with his brothers).
C.
Wars and fightings among the brethren. (James 4:1 a).
RESULTS OF LOVE FOR WORLDLY PLEASURES James 4:1-3
A.
No peace that passeth all understanding.
(They war in your members).
B.
Inability to obtain satisfaction.
(Have not, and cannot obtain).
C.
Live in continual warfare.
THE FRUITLESS LIFE OF A SENSUOUS MAN James 4:2-3
A.
He lusts. but cannot have that for which he lusts.
B.
He is jealous (kills and covets. but receives not in either case)
C.
He does or does not pray. but receives not in either case.
THE ACTION OF A SENSUOUS MAN James 4:3
A.
A selfish spending of all his blessings.
B.
His prayer life, and entire spiritual life, is amiss.
C.
He does not receive spiritual blessings from God.
SPIRITUAL ADULTERY James 4:4
A.
The meaning of spiritual adultery.
(Those who break marriage vows to God).
B.
The adulterous partner (The world).
C.
The consequences of spiritual adultery.
(Friends of God's enemy, and an enemy of God).
THE SPIRIT James 4:5
A.
Given by God.
B.
Dwells within us.
C.
Yearns for our proper relationship with God.
THE GREATER GRACE James 4:6-7
A.
Power to resist the devil.
B.
Power to be subject to God.
C.
Given to the humble.
THE MAGNET THAT WORKS TWO WAYS James 4:7-8
A.
A magnet has two opposing poles. (Cannot love both God and man).
(Does not attract another magnet at both poles, but attracts with one and repels with the other.)
B.
When we repel the devil, he repels us.
C.
When we draw near to God, He draws near to us.
HOW A CHRISTIAN SUBJECTS HIMSELF TO GOD James 4:7-8
A.
Draw nigh to God.
B.
Cleanse your hands.
C.
Purify your hearts.
PRIDE, SIN, AND UNCERTAINTY James 4:8-10
A.
The need of the proud saint. (James 4:10).
Humiliation of himself, exaltation of God.
B.
The need of the sinning saint.
Cleanse his hands.
C.
The need of the uncertain saint. (James 4:8).
Purify his heart.
A TIME TO WEEP James 4:9
A.
When sensuous pleasures bring laughter.
B.
When things of this world bring joy.
C.
When the soul is afflicted with sin and in danger of destruction.
THE JUDGE WHO SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN James 4:11-12
A.
He judged his brother without authority.
B.
He broke the very law by which he judged.
C.
He shall be judged by the one true Judge.
THE RIGHTEOUS Judges 4:12
A.
There is only one.
B.
He is able to destroy.
C.
He is able to save.