Epistle of James

James:
Let us first ask: who is this James? And to whom it is written? Since the name of James is popular because(James is the Greek name for Jacob) here we have 4. We have James the son of Zebedee but he has been put to death by Harod (Acts 12:2) We then have James the son of Alphaeus in (Mark 3:18) We have the Son of Mary, and brother of Christ James (Mark 6:3) and we have James the Less (Mark 15:40)
It is thought that since James the son of Zebedee, John's brother has been put to death by Herod (disqualifies him), that the Son of Mary, James who is referred to as Christ's half brother would be the writer of this book. This James was the The other two James mentioned were not active in the early church. In the text we see that James is a bondservant which is to say that he elected to be the slave of the Lord Jesus Christ. Freely giving Him his life as a living sacrifice in service and love. We also see that this book is directed to the twelve tribes, or the Jewish tribes, scattered as they were.

This book is a call to the tribes and those that have been grafted in to His people. That "a dead faith is worse than no faith at all". Faith is freely given to us. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Faith produces separation from the world and submission to god. It give us the ability to resist the Devil and all that he brings to bear. As we read we will see issues of Faith, ethics, suffering, love, mercy, the law, wisdom, sin, being rich, being poor, our human nature and of course...God and Jesus.

No matter what we think in human wisdom, we need to look to God for the truth. No matter what we do, we need to look to God for guidance. We see changes in the acceptance of "lifestyles" and "living styles". We are not to bend the Word of God to these sins. We are to preach God's Word and provide true hope through God's love for the lost. Do Not try to make God's Word fit your situation. DO fit your life to conform with God's Word.

James 1:1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.

Today we have a greeting from James. I want to identify with James in being a Bondservant of Christ. I want to serve Him for His glory.