James is a book all about serving. In fact, James opens his book by writing, “James, a servant of God” (James 1:1, KJV). More specifically, James is a book designed to get the reader to make up his mind on whom he serves. He touches on this concept of double-mindedness a number of times, but calling it such only in James 1:8 —“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." The book of James is divided into 5 chapters. The middle chapters, chapters 2, 3, and 4, each address a major area in which a servant of God must control himself. The outer chapters, chapters 1 and 5, each deal with all three major areas. Here are the three major areas addressed by James: A servant must control his actions (Jas. 2), his speech (Jas. 3), and his thoughts (Jas. 4).
Each of the middle chapters deal with a surface issue and an underlying issue. The surface issue (i.e. the readily observable issue) of James 2 is prejudice. The New English Translation (NET) translates James 2:1 as follows: “My brothers and sisters, do not show prejudice if you possess faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ” (James 2:1). James goes on to describe how his original readers would honor rich people in their church assemblies, and belittle poor people. They were showing “prejudice” (NET), “partiality” (NKJV), or “personal favoritism” (LSB). They treated certain individuals with respect and others with contempt depending on their financial status. Prejudice was the surface issue, readily seen by all, but the underlying issue (i.e. the root cause for their prejudice) was faith without works. In transitioning thoughts, James writes, “but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:9-10, NKJV). They had faith, they believed that God had chosen the poor in this world (James 2:5), and yet their works did not match their faith. Their prejudice, which was their surface issue was caused because they had faith without works, which was their underlying issue.
James chapters 3 is formatted the same: Surface issue and underlying issue each addressed, respectfully. Their surface issue was having their tongues out of control. James criticizes their loose tongues by saying, “Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.” (James 3:10). Soon thereafter, he addresses the underlying issue —the reason why their tongues were out of control: Their lack of wisdom. James writes,“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.” (James 3:13). If you want to show yourself wise, don’t speak endlessly —your tongue will slip and you’ll say something wrong. Instead, if you want to show yourself wise, show it by works.
James 4, again in the same pattern, first addresses a surface issue. This time, their readily observable issue is their lust. “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4). Their friendships betrayed their true desires. They disregarded God and favored instead the world’s friendship! This was, yet again, caused by an underlying issue: Double-Mindedness. The refusal to decide Whom they wished to serve! James, rather explicitly, writes, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). What would solve the problem of your lust? Well, serving God of course! Not being double-minded concerning whom you really want to serve!
James links these three underlying issues together at the beginning of his book (and elsewhere in chapters 1 and 5). Don’t have faith without works, instead test your faith by your works, “knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience” (James 1:3). Don’t lack in wisdom, ask God for wisdom, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). Don’t be double-minded, but trust in God —“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;” (James 1:6-7). If you want to serve God, you must control your actions, your speech, and your thoughts.
Comments