InstaStudy

Faith That Works: A Study of James

A study of the Book of James, emphasizing practical Christian living and the importance of faith demonstrated through works.

1. Faith and Trials

1.1 The Purpose of Trials

Verses: James 1:2-4
  • Trials test and strengthen our faith, producing endurance.
  • Endurance leads to spiritual maturity and completeness.

1.2 Seeking Wisdom

Verses: James 1:5-8
  • Ask God for wisdom with unwavering faith, trusting in His provision.
  • Doubt hinders receiving from God.

1.3 Poverty and Riches

Verses: James 1:9-11
  • True humility recognizes our dependence on God.
  • Material wealth is temporary; spiritual riches are eternal.

1.4 The Source of Temptation

Verses: James 1:13-15
  • God does not tempt anyone to sin.
  • Temptation arises from our own desires, leading to sin and death.

1.5 God's Good Gifts

Verses: James 1:17-18
  • Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of lights.
  • God gives birth to us through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

2. Practical Application of Faith

2.1 Hearing and Doing

Verses: James 1:19-20
  • Be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.
  • Anger does not produce the righteousness of God.

2.2 Doing the Word

Verses: James 1:21-25
  • Receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
  • Do not merely listen to the word, but do what it says.

2.3 True Religion

Verses: James 1:26-27
  • True religion involves caring for the vulnerable and remaining unstained by the world.
  • Controlling the tongue is a mark of genuine faith.

3. Faith Demonstrated

3.1 Avoiding Favoritism

Verses: James 2:1-9
  • Showing favoritism contradicts the principle of loving your neighbor as yourself.
  • Partiality is sin and violates the royal law of love.

3.2 Faith and Works

Verses: James 2:14-26
  • Faith without works is dead and cannot save.
  • Abraham's faith was made complete by his actions, demonstrating genuine faith.

4. Wisdom and the Tongue

4.1 Taming the Tongue

Verses: James 3:1-12
  • Teachers will be judged more strictly, so strive for excellence and humility.
  • The tongue is a powerful force that can cause great harm.

4.2 Two Kinds of Wisdom

Verses: James 3:13-18
  • Wisdom from above is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere.
  • Earthly wisdom is characterized by envy, selfish ambition, and disorder.

5. Humility and Submission

5.1 Submission to God

Verses: James 4:7-10
  • Submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
  • Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.

5.2 Avoiding Judgment

Verses: James 4:11-12
  • Do not speak evil against one another.
  • Judging others usurps God's role as judge and lawgiver.

5.3 God's Will

Verses: James 4:13-17
  • Boasting about future plans without acknowledging God's will is arrogant.
  • Life is uncertain; we should live each day in accordance with God's purpose.