‏ James 1

** This epistle of James is one of the most instructive writings

in the New Testament. Being chiefly directed against particular

errors at that time brought in among the Jewish Christians, it

does not contain the same full doctrinal statements as the other

epistles, but it presents an admirable summary of the practical

duties of all believers. The leading truths of Christianity are

set forth throughout; and on attentive consideration, it will be

found entirely to agree with St. Paul's statements concerning

grace and justification, while it abounds with earnest

exhortations to the patience of hope and obedience of faith and

love, interspersed with warnings, reproofs, and encouragements,

according to the characters addressed. The truths laid down are

very serious, and necessary to be maintained; and the rules for

practice ought to be observed in all times. In Christ there are

no dead and sapless branches, faith is not an idle grace;

wherever it is, it brings forth fruit in works.

* How to apply to God under troubles, and how to behave in

prosperous and in adverse circumstances. (1-11) To look upon all

evil as proceeding from ourselves, and all good from God.

(12-18) The duty of watching against a rash temper, and of

receiving the word of God with meekness. (19-21) And of living

according thereto. (22-25) The difference between vain pretences

and real religion. (26,27)

1-11 Christianity teaches men to be joyful under troubles: such

exercises are sent from God's love; and trials in the way of

duty will brighten our graces now, and our crown at last. Let us

take care, in times of trial, that patience, and not passion, is

set to work in us: whatever is said or done, let patience have

the saying and doing of it. When the work of patience is

complete, it will furnish all that is necessary for our

Christian race and warfare. We should not pray so much for the

removal of affliction, as for wisdom to make a right use of it.

And who does not want wisdom to guide him under trials, both in

regulating his own spirit, and in managing his affairs? Here is

something in answer to every discouraging turn of the mind, when

we go to God under a sense of our own weakness and folly. If,

after all, any should say, This may be the case with some, but I

fear I shall not succeed, the promise is, To any that asketh, it

shall be given. A mind that has single and prevailing regard to

its spiritual and eternal interest, and that keeps steady in its

purposes for God, will grow wise by afflictions, will continue

fervent in devotion, and rise above trials and oppositions. When

our faith and spirits rise and fall with second causes, there

will be unsteadiness in our words and actions. This may not

always expose men to contempt in the world, but such ways cannot

please God. No condition of life is such as to hinder rejoicing

in God. Those of low degree may rejoice, if they are exalted to

be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom of God; and the rich

may rejoice in humbling providences, that lead to a humble and

lowly disposition of mind. Worldly wealth is a withering thing.

Then, let him that is rich rejoice in the grace of God, which

makes and keeps him humble; and in the trials and exercises

which teach him to seek happiness in and from God, not from

perishing enjoyments. 12-18 It is not every man who suffers, that is blessed; but he

who with patience and constancy goes through all difficulties in

the way of duty. Afflictions cannot make us miserable, if it be

not our own fault. The tried Christian shall be a crowned one.

The crown of life is promised to all who have the love of God

reigning in their hearts. Every soul that truly loves God, shall

have its trials in this world fully recompensed in that world

above, where love is made perfect. The commands of God, and the

dealings of his providence, try men's hearts, and show the

dispositions which prevail in them. But nothing sinful in the

heart or conduct can be ascribed to God. He is not the author of

the dross, though his fiery trial exposes it. Those who lay the

blame of sin, either upon their constitution, or upon their

condition in the world, or pretend they cannot keep from

sinning, wrong God as if he were the author of sin. Afflictions,

as sent by God, are designed to draw out our graces, but not our

corruptions. The origin of evil and temptation is in our own

hearts. Stop the beginnings of sin, or all the evils that follow

must be wholly charged upon us. God has no pleasure in the death

of men, as he has no hand in their sin; but both sin and misery

are owing to themselves. As the sun is the same in nature and

influences, though the earth and clouds, often coming between,

make it seem to us to vary, so God is unchangeable, and our

changes and shadows are not from any changes or alterations in

him. What the sun is in nature, God is in grace, providence, and

glory; and infinitely more. As every good gift is from God, so

particularly our being born again, and all its holy, happy

consequences come from him. A true Christian becomes as

different a person from what he was before the renewing

influences of Divine grace, as if he were formed over again. We

should devote all our faculties to God's service, that we may be

a kind of first-fruits of his creatures. 19-21 Instead of blaming God under our trials, let us open our

ears and hearts to learn what he teaches by them. And if men

would govern their tongues, they must govern their passions. The

worst thing we can bring to any dispute, is anger. Here is an

exhortation to lay apart, and to cast off as a filthy garment,

all sinful practices. This must reach to sins of thought and

affection, as well as of speech and practice; to every thing

corrupt and sinful. We must yield ourselves to the word of God,

with humble and teachable minds. Being willing to hear of our

faults, taking it not only patiently, but thankfully. It is the

design of the word of God to make us wise to salvation; and

those who propose any mean or low ends in attending upon it,

dishonour the gospel, and disappoint their own souls. 22-25 If we heard a sermon every day of the week, and an angel

from heaven were the preacher, yet, if we rested in hearing

only, it would never bring us to heaven. Mere hearers are

self-deceivers; and self-deceit will be found the worst deceit

at last. If we flatter ourselves, it is our own fault; the

truth, as it is in Jesus, flatters no man. Let the word of truth

be carefully attended to, and it will set before us the

corruption of our nature, the disorders of our hearts and lives;

and it will tell us plainly what we are. Our sins are the spots

the law discovers: Christ's blood is the laver the gospel shows.

But in vain do we hear God's word, and look into the gospel

glass, if we go away, and forget our spots, instead of washing

them off; and forget our remedy, instead of applying to it. This

is the case with those who do not hear the word as they ought.

In hearing the word, we look into it for counsel and direction,

and when we study it, it turns to our spiritual life. Those who

keep in the law and word of God, are, and shall be, blessed in

all their ways. His gracious recompence hereafter, would be

connected with his present peace and comfort. Every part of

Divine revelation has its use, in bringing the sinner to Christ

for salvation, and in directing and encouraging him to walk at

liberty, by the Spirit of adoption, according to the holy

commands of God. And mark the distinctness, it is not for his

deeds, that any man is blessed, but in his deed. It is not

talking, but walking, that will bring us to heaven. Christ will

become more precious to the believer's soul, which by his grace

will become more fitted for the inheritance of the saints in

light. 26,27 When men take more pains to seem religious than really to

be so, it is a sign their religion is in vain. The not bridling

the tongue, readiness to speak of the faults of others, or to

lessen their wisdom and piety, are signs of a vain religion. The

man who has a slandering tongue, cannot have a truly humble,

gracious heart. False religious may be known by their impurity

and uncharitableness. True religion teaches us to do every thing

as in the presence of God. An unspotted life must go with

unfeigned love and charity. Our true religion is equal to the

measure in which these things have place in our hearts and

conduct. And let us remember, that nothing avails in Christ

Jesus, but faith that worketh by love, purifies the heart,

subdues carnal lusts, and obeys God's commands.