We begin a new study in the book of James, In this study, we will take a look at the opening verse to understand who is wrote the book, and the centrality of the gospel through the chapters.
(A) A Gospel Surprising But True (Jas 1:1a)
James wrote this book. Some refer to James as “James the Just” or “James the Less/Lesser”. He is not to be confused with James the Great, the Apostle. Who is James? James was Jesus’ younger brother (Matt 13:55) and he did not believe that Jesus was the Christ (Jn 7:5).
The book of Acts also sheds light on the faith of James. In Acts 12, we read of how Peter is freed from prison in Jerusalem and after being freed, he wanted to send a message to James and the brothers (Acts 12:16-17). This gives us an indication of something of James’ role and standing in the church.
In Acts 15, we read of the Jerusalem Council, which dealt with whether circumcision is compulsory for the non-Jewish Christians (Acts 15:5). Peter begins the discussion (Acts 15:7). Barnabas and Paul spoke about God’s work among the Gentile (Acts 15:12). In Acts 15:13-17, James interprets the events as a fulfilment of Old Testament prophecy, using Amos 9:11-12. Thus, we can see that James had similar standing with Peter, and he bases his argument on Scripture. James also seems to have some standing and confidence to pass judgement based on Scripture (Acts 15:19).
Friends, today, you may not feel like you are of great standing. But if you trust God’s word and based your life on it, you will be fine, or more than fine. James was a believer who knew God’s word and trusted it.
How does James introduce himself, and why is this significant? James call himself as a servant or slave or bondservant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ (Jas 1:1a).
The Jews always thought of themselves as people who have been set free from Egypt or the world. They have always seem themselves as holy, chosen by God and set apart from the rest of the world. Their culture and the way they live are markedly different. They orient their lives around the 10 Commandment, and take the ceremonial and civic law seriously.
Thus, it makes total sense for James to call himself a slave this God who has delivered and freed him. But it makes no sense that James would call himself a slave of Jesus Christ. After all, the first Commandment prohibited the worship of any other apart from God, and the second certainly forbade the worship of any images of God.
And it is extra crazy for James to say this. Jesus was after all, James’ brother. Who would follow their brother’s new religion and also subordinate themselves to this brother’s divinity? What would it take to convince one’s siblings that they were virgin born?
Gary Habermas and William Lane Craig developed the Minimal Facts Argument, which compiles the list of facts that are undisputed:
That Jesus died by crucifixion
That Jesus was buried by Joseph of Arimathea
That Jesus's followers found his empty tomb
That early on in the development of Christianity, the followers of Jesus experienced something that caused them to zealously preach the resurrection
That belief in the resurrection started among people who would have been unlikely to accept it, including the apostles, who did not expect a resurrection, James the unbelieving brother of Jesus, and Paul the persecutor of early Christians.
James’ faith was also based on facts. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-6, we also read of how Jesus appeared to James.
Friends, we should not be a Christian because of cultural reason. Rather, we should believe because of what Scripture has said and how they have been confirmed and testified in Jesus! This is what makes us Christian. We do not just believe in a generic deity, Jesus. Jesus died on the cross and was raised, according to the Scriptures, and appeared to many. Today, He is no longer in a grave, but is seated at the right hand of God, interceding for us. He is not dead, but is very much alive.
The faith of James is in a resurrected Christ. This is James’ hope; is this yours too? Do you believe that He is alive?
(B) A People Scattered Yet Saved (Jas 1:1b)
James refers to his audience as the 12 tribes in the Dispersion. We may think that he is addressing the 12 tribes of Israel. But in Matthew 10:1, we see that Jesus appointed 12 to bring about a new Israel of His kingdom. Thus, James is not just talking to Jewish Christians, but is speaking to the new Israel.
In Hosea 1:9-10, we read of how the people of God are told that they will repopulate the earth and grow, despite their disobedience. In Romans 9:24-25, Paul quotes Hosea and uses it to explain the inclusion of Gentiles. In 1 Peter 1:1-2, Peter says something similar, and explains that the elect exiles enter the kingdom through the gospel. The rest of James also raises issues that are not tied to one particular ethnic group.
What does this mean for us? Perhaps you feel alone or feel like you have no identity in this life. Do you walk around feeling like everyone around you feels foreign and you don’t quite belong anywhere? What does James tell us about our identity? Our identity in Christ means that we are not alone. We may feel alone but objectively we are not. We have fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters and even children in the family of God. Our identity in Christ must be unshakeably clear. The gospel doesn’t just mean that we are bound for heaven in abstract. We are someone bound for somewhere. We are bound to go home because we are a part of God’s family.
The gospel gives us a new identity, purpose and destination.
The dispersion or diaspora speaks of being spread out and scattered. What is the new 12 tribes that is interethnic that is now scattered? James is speaking of Christians being scattered around the earth.
This is not the first time that God’s people are scattered. In the Old Testament, we read of the exile of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms. For example, the book of Daniel speaks of kingdom of Babylon, Persia, Greek and Rome that will oppress God’s people, but after Rome will come a kingdom that will not pass away.
In 1 Peter 2:9-12, we read of God’s own people, brought together for God’s purposes. Therefore, we are to live with a distinct holiness that others who are not Christians will see that something has happened to us. We no longer live as if we are a part of the world. If we look like everyone else, we are of no use.
This is what it means to be a part of the 12 tribes of the Dispersion. It is a hard life and it may not feel like we fit in. Our agenda, schedule, calling, relationships etc should look different. If we look like everyone else, what good is it?
We are of the most use to the world and most helpful to the world when we do not look like it. Is this your orientation as a Christian?
This is why James is so practical about godliness. James 1 is about suffering and true religion. James 2 is about partiality (how we see people). James 3 is about the tongue. James 4 is about worldliness and God’s sovereignty. James 5 is about how we think about money and pray. These topics are so practical that some have called James the NT’s Proverbs. What James is doing is reaching into the book of wisdom and reinterpreting them in a NT context.
And the goal of all of this wisdom is not application, but for us to look different. A testimony of holy living shows the power of the gospel to change and transform us. This is only thing that could have changed James.
Are you clear about the truth of Christ’s resurrection? What does it mean for you today? What purpose and perspective shape your practical priorities in life?