James - Outline
KEY THEME: Spiritual maturity
KEY VERSE: James 1:4
The Marks of the Mature Christian:
I. HE IS PATIENT IN TESTING
A. Trials on the outside—1:1–12
B. Temptations on the inside—1:13–27
II. HE PRACTICES THE TRUTH
A. Faith and love—2:1–13
B. Faith and works—2:14–26
III. HE HAS POWER OVER HIS TONGUE
A. Exhortation—3:1–2
B. Illustrations—3:3–12
C. Application—3:13–18
IV. HE IS A PEACEMAKER, NOT A TROUBLEMAKER
A. Three wars—4:1–3
B. Three enemies—4:4–7
C. Three admonitions—4:8–17
V. HE IS PRAYERFUL IN TROUBLES
A. Economic troubles—5:1–9
B. Physical troubles—5:10–16
C. National troubles—5:17–18
D. Church troubles—5:19–20
WHY DID JAMES WRITE?
As you read the Epistle of James, you discover that these Jewish Christians were having some problems in their personal lives and in their church fellowship. For one thing, they were going through difficult testings. They were also facing temptations to sin.
One of the major problems in the church was a failure on the part of many to live what they professed to believe. Furthermore, the tongue was a serious problem, even to the point of creating wars and divisions in the assembly. Worldliness was another problem. Some of the members were disobeying God’s Word and were sick physically because of it; and some were straying away from the Lord and the church.
All of these problems had a common cause: spiritual immaturity. These Christians simply were not growing up. This gives us a hint as to the basic theme of this letter: the marks of maturity in the Christian life. James used the word perfect several times, a word that means “mature, complete” (see James 1:4, 17, 25; 2:22; 3:2). By “a perfect man” (James 3:2) James did not mean a sinless man, but rather one who is mature, balanced, grown-up.
Spiritual maturity is one of the greatest needs in churches today. Too many churches are playpens for babies instead of workshops for adults. The members are not mature enough to eat the solid spiritual food that they need, so they have to be fed on milk (Heb. 5:11–14). God is looking for mature men and women to carry on His work, and sometimes all He can find are little children who cannot even get along with each other.
GETTING THE MOST OUT OF THIS STUDY
Since the theme is spiritual maturity, we must begin by examining our own hearts to see where we are in the Christian life.
First of all, it is essential that we have been born again. Apart from spiritual birth there can be no spiritual maturity. Just as a human baby has two parents, so a spiritual baby has two parents—the Word of God and the Spirit of God.
The second essential for getting the most out of what James has written: we must honestly examine our lives in the light of God’s Word. James compares the Bible to a mirror (James 1:22ff). As we study the Word, we are looking into the divine mirror and seeing ourselves as we really are. But James warns us that we must be honest about what we see and not merely glance at the image and walk away.
The third essential: we must obey what God teaches us, no matter what the cost. We must be “doers of the Word and not hearers only” (James 1:22). It is easy to attend a Bible study, share the lesson, and discuss it; but it is much more difficult to go out into life in the workaday world and practice what we have learned. The blessing does not come in studying the Word, but in doing the Word. Unless we are willing to obey, the Lord is not obligated to teach us (John 7:17).
The fourth essential is that we be prepared for some extra trials and testings. Whenever we are serious about spiritual growth, the enemy gets serious about opposing us. The real examinations in Bible study come in the school of life, not in the classroom.
There may come a time in this study when you decide that continuing is too dangerous. Satan may turn on the heat and make things so difficult for you that you will want to retreat. Don’t do it! When that time arrives, you will be on the verge of a new and wonderful blessing in your own life, a thrilling new step of maturity. Even if Satan does turn on the heat, your Father in heaven keeps His almighty hand on the thermostat!
Even physical maturity is not always an easy, pleasant experience. Christian growth is not automatic, as is physical growth. Christian maturity is something we must work at constantly. So don’t give up! There is travail in birth, and there is also travail in maturity (Gal. 4:19).
Finally, we must measure our spiritual growth by the Word of God. We should not measure ourselves by other Christians, but by the Word of God and the Son of God (Eph. 4:13).
Not everyone who grows old, grows up. There is a difference between age and maturity. Just because a Christian has been saved for ten or twenty years does not guarantee that he is mature in the Lord. Mature Christians are happy Christians, useful Christians, Christians who help to encourage others and to build their local church. As we study James together, with God’s help we will learn together and mature together.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire 'BE' series"--Jkt. (Heb 13:20). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.
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