James challenges Christians to consider how they use their tongue. He warns that the tongue cannot be tamed and that no one is perfect in what they say – thereby helping the reader set a reasonable goal for the tongue. The tongue reflects what is going on in the heart. Since none, except Jesus, are perfect this side of eternity, we should expect that our imperfect tongue will reflect our imperfect heart. That being said, James urges his readers to watch what they say and understand that there are biblical expectations regarding the tongue’s use. The Christian should use his tongue for good: to bless God. The Christian should refrain from using his tongue for bad: by cursing those made in the image of God. To listen to this sermon, please click on the following link: James 3:6-12.
In James 3, we continue to see a recurring theme in the book: it matters how you live. Now the focus has shifted to the tongue. It matters what you say, especially if you are a teacher. Teachers will face a stricter judgment because they are entrusted with explaining God’s word to others. Since the gospel is to be proclaimed by teachers, it is essential that they get it right and worthy of stricter judgment if they do not. James does not expect that any will be perfect in this life, especially in the matter of the tongue. Yet, he wants the readers to understand that the tongue, though small, has a big influence. Thus, we must all watch what we say. To listen to this sermon, please click on the following link: James 3:1-5.
James argues that one is not justified by faith alone if that faith is alone. What he means by this is that there is faith “so-called” that is not the same as saving faith. Saving faith is always accompanied by works. This is consistent with the New Testament witness, that those who are saved also produce fruit. James point to the lives of Abraham and Rahab, who had no mere faith that was lacking good works. Rather, they had saving faith and they demonstrated it through good works. To listen to this sermon, please click on the following link: James 2:20-26.
Saving faith is the only faith that works – literally. It alone unites one to Christ and his atoning work on the cross. Saving faith is a gift from God, granted by the Holy Spirit, and results in a changed life. In contrast, those who claim to have faith, yet it makes no difference in their lives, do not have saving faith. Such false faith is no better than the belief of demons. To listen to this sermon, please click on the following link: James 2:14-19.
Many today are confused about justification. They wrongly believe that one can be made right with God by being good. This error is corrected by pointing to the doctrine of justification by faith in Jesus alone. Others go to the other extreme, arguing that since salvation is by faith alone, it does not matter how one lives. James urges his readers to maintain that it does matter how a Christian lives. God has given us His law to rule over us, and those who break any of the commands of God, even those commands that come through the teaching of Jesus, are transgressors. A Christian should care that he is transgressing, though he rests in Christ’s atoning death alone for justification, because he too will stand before God the judge. A Christian should pay attention to his fruit, for even the works of believers will be accounted for on Judgment Day. And James ends with the warning that those who show no mercy in this life should expect no mercy on Judgment Day. To listen to this sermon, please click on the following link: James 2:8-13.