The Chronicles of Northside

Context—James continues to make his argument about the tongue: James 3:7-8– “no human being can tame the tongue,” although every kind of animal (beast and bird, creeping things, and sea creatures) “can be tamed or has been tamed by mankind.” The point is this: while man is able to restrain beasts and every kind of creature, he is powerless to keep his own tongue under control. The tongue “is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” To put simply, the sinful nature of man makes his tongue impossible to restrain. The tongue bears or brings death. It is deadly!  James 3:9-10– “From the same tongue come blessing and cursing.” Note the inconsistency and hypocrisy—with our tongue, “we bless our Lord” and with it “we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.” See Gen 1:26-27. How can we curse people when to do so would clearly be an insult to the One in whose image man has been created? James 3:11-12– “Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Recal...

Context—James continues to make his argument about the tongue: James 3:3- a bit is a metal piece placed behind the teeth in the horse’s mouth connected to the reins, the purpose of which is communication and primarily, control. The whole body of the horse is guided by the use of such a little metal piece! James 3:4- a very small rudder guides or controls the direction of large ships! James 3:5- “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire.” James’ emphasis- The tongue is very  small but powerful in what it can do or cause! Consider again the analogies used:  1) A horse is very strong; yet, a small bit is enough to control its whole body! 2) A ship is a large vessel; yet, a small rudder controls its direction, wherever the will of the pilot directs! 3) A forest can be huge; yet, it can be set ablaze by just a small fire!  James 3:6- “The tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness.” Consider th...

The tongue is one of the indicators of what is in the heart. See Luke 6:43-45, Mark 7:14-23, and Matt. 15:11-20. Consider Isaiah 6:1-7 where we see Isaiah’s response as he is exposed to the holiness of God. Isaiah uses the “tongue” as a measuring gauge for his sinful condition.  James, in chapter 3, elaborates further on what he has said before: “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless” (James 1:26). James 3:1–“Not many of you should become teachers”— Is James discouraging believers from teaching? The answer must be “No,” especially in light of Heb. 5:12 and the Great Commission. James’ point may be better understood in view of Matt. 23. His point is that we ought to be careful and cautious in handling God’s Word. See 2 Timothy 2:15 and Rev 22:18-19. God’s Word should be taught accurately. Therefore, James reminds the believers to not be too quick to teach. James 3:2– “We all stumble in many ways”— ...

Review: (1) Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone; (2) Scripture must be understood in its context in order to avoid error; (3) James describes what a transformed life looks like— that is, that good works must necessarily result from genuine faith in Christ as Savior and Lord; (4) A mere profession of faith that shows no evidence of a life transformed is useless, as it is not genuine Verses in focus : James 2:18-21, which is to be understood in the context of the entire epistle James is here using another example in order to drive the same truth he has already proclaimed in the prior verses. See the explicit truth about salvation apart from works in Titus 3:5 and Eph. 2:8-10. In James’ example, a genuine believer is exposing the empty faith of one who is merely professing faith. The genuine believer is showing evidence of the true faith he possesses by the good works that is evident in his life: “I will show you my faith BY my works.” This genuine believer has a living f...

A. A proper interpretation of James’ message requires us to look at the recipient of James’ letter and its context, as this passage is used by some people to argue that faith alone cannot save— that is, “works” is a necessity for salvation. However, it becomes clear that James’ point is NOT that salvation is by faith PLUS works, but that GENUINE faith RESULTS in good works.  The RECIPIENT  of James’ epistle is “the brethren”— that is, those who are ALREADY saved! Therefore, James is not focused on HOW a person is saved, but how a person who is already saved should live out his salvation. The CONTEXT of James does not contradict the fact that salvation is by grace through faith alone in Christ, which is explicitly clear throughout Scripture, such as in Eph.2:8-10. James’ call is for the believers to pay attention to the need to demonstrate outwardly the transformation that they already have from within, which is made possible by grace through faith in Christ alone. B. If good w...

In the prior verses, James points the believers to who God is: 1) He is Sovereign (none can boast of his standing before God, for it is only by the grace of God that one is saved, according to the kind intention of His will). In verses 8-13, James points the believers to the “royal law”—ie., if they are really “loving their neighbor” as themselves in “honoring the rich,” then they should also honor the poor in the same way, NOT showing partiality! By treating them differently based on their social status, they are actually “committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.”  See Lev.19:18, where the royal law is emphasized on the basis of the One who gives it (“I am the LORD”). This command is quoted in several N.T. books (Mark 12:31-34. Rom. 13:9, Gal. 5:14, etc). See Deut 6:4-5. All that was written in the Torah and the Prophets is summarized in the two greatest commandments, as spoken by Christ in Matthew 22:34-40.  James points them to Nature of the Law and the...

Review from last week: If we show partiality, we commit sin.  Today’s message: James 2:5-7 James reminds the brethren of the Sovereign act of God in eternity past— “Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?” (2:5). Read Ephesians 1:4-11, 1 Thess. 2:13, 2 Tim.1:9 with 1 Tim 2:4; 2 Pet.3:9, and John 3:16. Those in Christ have been chosen before the foundation of the world; yet salvation is offered to all.  James’ point is not that only the poor are saved or that the rich are condemned. His point is that a believer should not dishonor the poor man. Recall the account of the rich young ruler’s encounter with Christ. Jesus said that it is difficult (not impossible) for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. The difficulty for the rich man is the temptation to  trust in his wealth; yet, the difficulty can be overcome. Recall the faith of Abraham, Job, and David, all who were wea...