“The Book of James 1:22-27

                                         Pastor Mike Barnett

    ²²Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ²³Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

    ²⁶If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. ²⁷Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.  James 1:22-27

·        James tells Christians that ______________________(listening) to God’s Word without ____________________(application) is ______________________(deception).

·        Hearing the Word is without _____________________(value) unless it results in _____________________(action). James 1:22-25

·        Both Judaism and Jesus understood holiness to be tied to the “____________________ _________ _________ _________” (doing the Word).

Luke 6:46-49 says:

46"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? 47I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete".  Luke 6:46-49

·        The Word of God is not given just for ____________________________(information) but for _________________________(transformation)

·        For Jesus, the center of God’s character is his compassion and mercy, as expressed in the mandate to, “Love the your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself”. (Luke 10:27)

·        For the Jews, holiness traditionally had to do with purity and therefore with separation from the world.

·        Both views of holiness require a life of action.

·        We must continue to grow in carrying out the commands laid on us by our hearing of God’s word.

·        This hearing is most naturally the public reading of the Scriptures in the context of Worship. But hearing alone is insufficient.

·        Most people think they have done a noble thing by going to church which is useless unless is leading to applying the Word of God in their lives.

·        The Greek word, (akroates) “hearers” was used of those who sat passively in an audience and listened to a singer or speaker.

·        James is saying that that audience should now apply what they hear or the activity of listening to the world is deception and useless.

·        To hear and not to take action is to ___________(lie) to oneself and to God.

·        How we ___________________(behave) is _____________________(proof) of our salvation or our lostness.

1 John 2:3-4 says:

 3We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  1 John 2:3-4

John 15:14 says:

“You are my friends if you do what I command”.  John 15:14

John 14:23 says:

 23Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.  John 14:23

Luke 6:46 says:

46"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?   Luke 6:46

1 John 2:4 says:

4The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  1 John 2:4

• The person who looks into “perfect law” that gives freedom” and then does not forget but acts upon this Wisdom is ___________________(blessed) whereas those who looked into the perfect law and forgets to apply it is _________________(cursed).

• The phrase, “perfect law that gives freedom” has precedents in the Old Testament.

Palm 19:7 says:

⁷ The law of the LORD is perfect,
       reviving the soul.
       The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
       making wise the simple.  Psalm 19:7

• James will argue that the Word of God involves the law, but he stresses that the law does not control the Word, nor are they identical.

• God’s Word consist of His __________(Law) and His ______________(Grace), His _______________(Commands) and His _______________(Promises).

• The “the Word planted in you” (1:21) and “perfect law” are found in such close association that one implies the other for the Law is apart of God’s Word.

• James implores us to hold up the _______________________(mirror) of God’s Word/Law not only to our personal lives, but also to the attitudes, tendencies and assumptions of our culture as well to see were we have _________________ (drifted) away from God’s Holy Word.

FOR EXAMPLE…While many Christians claim that the poor alone are responsible for their condition, we must face the fact that this is decidedly American opinion, based on an American value….it does not reflect the values of the Bible….James clearly teaches that we are to care for the poor.

NOTE: James pleads with us to spend time in ___________________________(introspection), in a careful and accurate gaze into in the mirror of God’s ____________________(Word/Law), before we go out into the world to offer our ___________________(selfish) opinions and whims in the name of Christ.

• Failure to do so can, at times, result in behavior that is unchristian and has the potential to harm others.

• In New Testament times, mirrors were typically made of highly polished brass or bronze, although a wealthy person could buy one of silver or gold.

• GOD’S LAW IS THE LAW OF ___________________________(FREEDOM)! V. 25

• Obeying the law allows us to serve God not out of fear or mere sense of duty, but out of ___________________(gratitude) and love.

• God’s law is thought of by some as bringing bondage; but in reality it brings great liberty because it reveals our ________________ ___________________(sin nature) and give us an opportunity to ___________________(confess) and ____________________(repent) of sin.

• The only way to have a spiritually blessed life is through faithful study and application of God’s Word to “meditate on it day and night” and to be careful to do according to all that is written in.

THE LAW – TEN COMMANMENTS – Exodus 20:1-17

1)     You shall have no other God’s before me.

2)     You shall not make for yourself and idol.

3)     You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.

4)     Remember the Sabbath and keep it Holy.

5)     Honor your Father and Mother.

6)     You shall not murder.

7)     You shall not commit adultery.

8)     You shall not steal.

9)     You shall not give false testimony

10)  You shall not covet.

• Today in Christian circles, there is a lot confusion as the purpose of the Law……..

THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW

ROMANS 7:4 - 8:2 says:

 4So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. 5For when we were controlled by the sinful nature,^[a] the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. 6But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

 7What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "Do not covet."^[a] 8But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead. 9Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. 10I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death.

 11For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. 12So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good. 13Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.

 14We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.^[b] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

 21So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
      So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

Romans 8

Life Through the Spirit

 1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,^[c] 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. ROMANS 7:7 - 8:2

The purpose and function of God’s Law:

1. God’s Law ______________________(arouses) my sin nature inside of me to do the thing I do not want to do.

2. God’s Law ________________________(prevents) me from doing what I ______________________(want) to do with my own _____________ _____________(will power).

3) God’s Law ___________________(exposes) my ____________(sin) nature to the point where I admit I am a _____________________(sinner) before God and people.

4) God’s Law _________________________(humbles) me and softens my ________________________(conscience) so I will be ______________________(submissive) to God and His Word.

5) God’s Law (the bad news) _________________(precedes) and ____________________(prepares) the way for the Gospel (the Good News).

The Bad news is – I cannot _____________________(keep) the perfect Law by own merits and will power and am therefore ________________________(condemned) to die.

The Good News is – Jesus Christ took my _________________(place) on the Cross and died for my sins so I can be ______________(free) the penalty of breaking the Law which is death.

NOTE: The purpose of the law is not to save a person – it cannot, that’s the purpose of the _______________________(Gospel)….the good news of Jesus Christ who died on the cross for sinners who could not keep the Law.

NOTE: Salvation is not merely keeping the external law because _________________________(nobody) can perfectly do it on their own will power alone.

Galatians 3:1-5 says:

1You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? 3Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? 4Have you suffered so much for nothing—if it really was for nothing? 5Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard? Galatians 3:1-5

• The Law of God is ______________________(fulfilled) through Christ and a Christian can only keep the Law as they live _______(in) Christ.

• Only a person who has been _________________ _____________(born again) through the Holy Spirit can obey the Law – it is impossible to do with __________________ __________________(human effort)

·        THE PERSON WHO FORGETS WHAT HE HAS HEARD _______________(MISSES) THE __________________(BLESSING) OF THE _________________(LAW)! V. 25

NOTE: One of the most intriguing issues of the New Testament theology is the relationship between the demands of the law and the grace of God.

·        God’s Law and God’s Grace often are seen as opposites such as “works verses faith” or “Word verses Law”.

NOTE: The Contemporary Protestant tradition is colored by a skepticism of the law.

·        We are taught that the Jews of the first century kept the law in order to earn the favor of God, and that with the death and resurrection of Jesus we are free from the Law.

·        This however, is too simple a picture for it to accurately portrait what scripture is saying regarding the law.

·        In Matthew 5:18-19, Jesus sounds like a legalist, claiming that not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, not the least of the commandments will pass away.

Matthew 5:18-19 says:

¹⁸I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. ¹⁹Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 5:18-19

·        Yet this complex statement is in stark contrast with his words and activity throughout the rest of the Gospel.

·        In Luke 16:16 we learn that the law has passed away….then in verse 17 we learn that the law can never pass away…and verse 18 enjoins us to an obedience of the law that goes beyond that of the Pharisees.

• While concentration on outward acts is not wrong, to concentrate on actions alone opens us to the danger of mistaking the good for the best. For this reason Jesus emphasizes the matter of _________________(heart) and human character.

• While the Law is external, ridged and inflexible, the Word within us is living, growing, vital, and flexible.

• The “Word Planted in us” has the power to move us into __________________________(compliance) with God’s will, which is the purpose of the law.

• THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW IS TO EXPOSE OUR SIN NATURE AND BEAT US INTO SUBMISSION AND REPENTANCE – THE TURNING FROM SIN!

• The law is a _____________________(means) to spiritual growth, it is not the spiritual growth itself.

• On its own, the law has _______________ ____________________(little power) to change lives.

• GOD’S _________________________(GRACE) IN THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST LEADS A PERSON’S TO ____________________(REPENTANCE).

Romans 2:1-4 says:

1You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? 4Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? Romans 2:1-4

·        THE LAW _______________________(PREPARES) THE PERSON TO HUMBLY __________________(SUBMITT) TO GOD’S ________________(GRACE) WHICH LEADS THEM TO  ________________(REPENTANCE)!

• The primary role of the law is to _______________________(expose) our sin and to demonstrate our ___________________(need) for____________________(God’s Grace).

• Jesus did not ____________________(overturn) the law of Moses – He _________________________(elevated) the law to a new standard of discipline and obedience to God.

Matthew 5:21-30 says:

 21"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder,^[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother^[b]will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,^[c]' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.

 23"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

 25"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.^[d]

Adultery

 27"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'^[e] 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. Matthew 5:21-30

• Jesus not only upheld the Mosaic law, he even elevated the expectations.

• Jesus said it is possible to ____________________(murder) some one with your ____________________(words) and to commit ____________________(adultery) with your ____________________(thoughts).

• Like Jesus, James does not have in mind a new law, but rather the ________________(fuller) ________________________(expression) of the Jewish law.

• For the Christian this law is still the ______________(will) of God.

• Jesus did not eradicate the Law, but instead taught a ______________________(higher) _________________________(standard) of ethical obedience that comes from the _________________(heart).

• Jesus taught a _____________________(morality) that flows from the _______________________(heart) that is in tune with God’s heart.

• The Pharisees attacked Jesus for interacting with the common “polluted” people.

• In response Jesus told the crowds to beware the leaven of the Pharisees, for they were concerned with outward pollution but ignored it’s source, the human heart out of step with God’s heart.

TRUTH: God is not concerned with the ______________________(outward) keeping of the law – He is concerned with the __________________(internal) surrender to His law through the _________________(grace) He provided in the form of Jesus Christ!

• Jesus purposely broke the Sabbath several times to prove His point.

BIBLE ILLUSTRATION

Mark 2:23-3:6 says:

²³One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grain fields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. ²⁴The Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?"

    ²⁵He answered, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? ²⁶In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions."

    ²⁷Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. ²⁸So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."

Mark 3

    ¹Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. ²Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. ³Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Stand up in front of everyone."

    ⁴Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they remained silent.

    ⁵He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. ⁶Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

 Mark 2:23-3:6

• Jesus claimed the right to forgive sins (Mark 2:1-12).

• Jesus willingly associated with unsavory people (Mark 2:13-17).

• In doing so, he condemned aspects of Judaic law.

• For the Pharisees holiness was fragile, easily polluted, and in need of protection.

• Their view of God was of a legislator whose laws required scrupulous observance in order to protect this holiness.

• Jesus picture of God was of a _________________ ____________________(loving Father) whose earnest wish was to welcome his rebellious children home.

NOTE: JESUS’ DISPUTE WAS NOT SO MUCH WITH THE LAW, BUT WITH WHAT HE CONSIDRED A _________________________(SKEWED) _________________________(UNDERSTANDING) OF THE LAW - A TENDENCY TO VIEW THE LAW AS AN __________________(END) AND NOT THE ________________________(MEANS) TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND WHOLENESS.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:17:

¹⁷"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. Matthew 5:17

NOTE: For Jesus, the law was not what his contemporaries meant, but was more accurate representation of God’s character and was therefore a ____________________(joy) not a burden to keep.

• GOD’S LAW REFLECTS HIS _____________(HEART) – GOD IS A HOLY GOD WHOLE LOVES ___________________(RIGHTEOUSNESS) AND PURITY!

• THE “WORD PLANTED WITHIN OUR HEARTS” ALLOWS US TO LOVE AND ____________(DESIRE) THE _________________________(GOAL) OF THE LAW WHICH IS_________________(RIGHTEOUS) LIVING!

JAMES 1:26-27

²⁶If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. ²⁷Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.  James 1:26-27

• True religion is not merely “works” but a humble ___________________________(receptivity) to God’s ________________________(word) so that it can develop deep roots within us, shaping our ______________________(character).

• The practice of “pure religion” is described as the control of _____________________(speech), acts of _______________(charity), and __________________(resisting) temptation. V. 26-27

• Generally, the neediest people in the early church were orphans and widows.

Exodus 22:22 says:

22 "Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan.

  Exodus 22:22

• A person who considers himself religious but cannot keep a tight rein on the tongue is only deceiving oneself.

Psalm 34:13 says:

¹³ keep your tongue from evil
       and your lips from speaking lies. Psalm 34:13

Psalm 39:1 says:

¹ I said, "I will watch my ways
       and keep my tongue from sin;
       I will put a muzzle on my mouth
       as long as the wicked are in my presence."   Psalm 39:1

·        James implies not only that rash speech has the ability to put one’s faith in question, but a “religion” that results in such behavior has insufficient ability to shape the heart and is therefore worthless and futile.

·        James then defines pure “religion” that God our Father accepts: to look after orphans and widows and to keep oneself unpolluted by the World.

• The second example of “pure religion” is to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

• James does not teach the removal from the world.

• James stresses living in the world, but doing so with intelligence and forethought in order to keep one’s life, one reputation, and one’s faith pure and secure.

• For James true faith and pure religion enters the surrounding culture, but remains free from the evil to be found there.

NOTE: For Judaism, the holiness of God was guarded from pollution……In the mind and life of Jesus, however, the holiness of God was robust and strong enough to stride into the mire and muck of human existence. It had a purifying force, able to cleanse the world, but being mindful to prevent ourselves from being deceived and pulled into the world.

• We have already seen that the Psalms form a vital and vibrant portion of the background to James.

• God is the one is the one who guarantees and administers justice as a feature of his holiness.

• God also expects his children to be involved in the maintenance of justice, and for this reason he requires more than piety; he requires a heart and actions of justice and righteousness.

• Since human society tends to withdraw from such a community vision, both God and his appointed judges were to have special concern for the poor and the oppressed – the widows and the orphans.

Episkeptomai (to visit) means much more than to drop by for a chat.

• It carries the idea of caring for others, exercising oversight on their behalf, and helping them in whatever way is needed. The term is used frequently to connote God visiting His people in order to help, strengthen and encourage them.

Matthew 25:35-36 says:

35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'  Matthew 25:35-36

1 John 4:7-12 says:

7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son^[a] into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for^[b] our sins. 11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:7-12

• Love is to be the most central and most visible manifestation of salvation.

Matt 5:43-48 says:

43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor^[a] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies^[b] and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.  Matt 5:43-48

John 13:34-35 says:

 34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."  John 13:34-35

• The genuine Christian cannot be happy or content when he fails to show ______________(compassion) for ___________________(others) because that is what God does on a daily basis and the Work of Christ on the Cross made it possible!