Friday, 23 August 2019

There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another? James 4:12

The word “one” is in the emphatic position in the Greek. It states, “One is the Lawgiver Who is able to save and destroy.” The words remind the reader of Jesus’ words of Matthew 10:28 –

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.… Read the rest

Thursday, 22 August 2019

Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. James 4:11

In James 2, he spoke of showing partiality, dishonoring others through a judgmental attitude, fulfilling the royal law, and etc.… Read the rest

Wednesday, 21 August 2019

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:10

The thought here is found throughout Scripture. When one is prideful before the Lord (Genesis 3, for example), there is a fall. However, the cure for that comes from the words of Scripture from that point on.… Read the rest

Tuesday, 20 August 2019

Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. James 4:9

It is likely that James had a passage from the book of Ecclesiastes on his mind –

“A good name is better than precious ointment,
And the day of death than the day of one’s birth;
² Better to go to the house of mourning
Than to go to the house of feasting,
For that is the end of all men;
And the living will take it to heart.… Read the rest

Monday, 19 August 2019

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8

In the previous verse, James told his audience to “submit to God.” He now tells them to go further. Not only should they submit to Him, but they are to “Draw near” to Him.… Read the rest