Morning Moments

JAMES Devotional Outline

I. Wisdom's Wealth - Chapter 1
II. Worthwhile Works - Chapter 2
III. Wholesome Words - Chapter 3
IV. Worldly Ways - Chapter 4
A. Conflict 4:1
B. Covetousness 4:2-3
C. Compromise 4:4-10
D. Criticism 4:11-12

4:11. Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

It is unbelievable to me that any man of God would have to write such things to any people of God. This whole tone and text astounds me for it is so inconsistent with the presence of God in the heart of anyone. Every time I read this letter and think of "practical" Christianity, I think, "This is not Christianity at all." For what purpose does Christ enter us if not to change us? Honest to God, do we really HAVE to be told NOT to be adulterers, greedy, lustful, proud, and judgmental?

These Jewish Christians did not have a New Testament in their pockets and neither did they possess a personal copy of the Old Testament. We have BOTH! It may be true that they had been taught the APOSTLE'S doctrine, but that was doctrine concerning Messiah.

These folks were falling into the same "religious" trap their forefathers had fallen into, and they were NOT filled with the Spirit of God! Jews are by nature proud people and it is pride that goes before fall and a haughty spirit that goes before destruction.

Don't misunderstand me! You and I must honor the fact of God's unconditional promise to Israel, but being a Jew does not in itself, give one favor with God and there is a danger in being lead to believe that it does. Everyone, Jew and Gentile alike MUST come to repentance and faith in the LORDSHIP of Jesus Christ and SUBMIT to His Lordship. God HImself refers to the Jews as "stiff neck" people.

So, we must consider three things in regards to this letter:

1. These Messianic Jews were still Jews first and Christians second.
2. They were very limited in their understanding of the truth concerning the BODY of Christ, which is THE CHURCH.
3. They were doing what the Jews have always had to do for survival - blend in with society although God has kept them unique and distinct.

I do not mean in any way to demean or cast dispersions, but I do mean to help my fellow believers more clearly understand this letter from a practical standpoint. To whom much is given much shall be required. They did not have the knowledge we have (complete NT), and they did not have the hundred of years of Church History we have to learn from with its Theologians, Apologists, and Teachers.

If I may summarize the words of the two verses of our text: Don't be judgmental and critical, and listen more than you talk for you will be judged by the righteous Judge for both for violating the Law of Love and Liberty.

BLESSINGS!