Lesson 26

FIRST DAY:
1.

2.

SECOND DAY:
3.

• The first chapter opens up with "To the 'twelve tribes' of Israel" who were scattered.  I presume the persecution here was similar to the persecution in other books of the New Testament. I.e., the1st century believers were persecuted for simply being thriving Christians who taught Christ is King.  In other words, they would not adhere to the teaching of Pious Jews and Rome who said Caesar was king.  John 19:15, ""We have no king but Caesar," the chief priests answered."  
• The second chapter however, speaks of an admonition to believers to be careful NOT to discriminate between the rich and poor.  I don't see any "trial" connection with James 2:6-7 and James 1:2-4 in these two chapters. The first chapter speaks of facing trials and the second chapter speaks of an admonition to treat everyone equally.  The only "trial" I can read in to chapter two is that they may have been "tempted" to go with cultural standards, so they didn't have to face "trials."  Difficult question to answer, in my opinion, unless I'm understanding it incorrectly.  

4. a.
I don't have as close of a relationship with my family as I would like to have because of my faith.  My response to that is as follows:  "For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."   The same could be said here of co-workers, friends at school, etc.  I am grateful for the body of Christ and my fiancee and her family.  They are all believers and have been a tremendous blessing in my life.  Praise God!  I will continue to pray for my family members salvation. 

b.
Whenever you lose someone in your life, whether through divorce, death, or simply because of your faith, God will fill the void by putting believers in your life to help us to continue to grow in the faith.  They joy is knowing that God doesn't waste our pain.  God uses everything in our life to draw us in to a richer more meaningful and more fulfilling relationship with Him; here on earth and for all eternity.  Praise be to God!  

5. a.

• Ask God
• Believe and not doubt

b.
No, because no human being has perfect faith.  Also, no, because we have an adversary that introduces doubt in our minds every day.  That is why we are admonished to put on the full armor of God every day.  To protect ourselves from the flaming arrows of doubt (with the armor of God we can put out the flaming arrows of the evil one).  There are varying degrees of doubt, however.  Mature believers doubt less, because they have been in the faith longer, and have seen the mighty hand of God move more often.  I believe as we grow-up in the faith, God would prefer that we remove doubt from our lives.


6.
God is interested in what is lasting (the spiritual), not in what is temporary (money).

7. a.
Our culture has become so sexualized that it’s not hard to become tempted by the number of images that bombard us every day. Walk through a supermarket and you see suggestive photos on the covers of magazines.  Turn on the television and it doesn’t take long before you see advertisements filled with sexual innuendos and erectile dysfunction.  Switch on the computer, and you find spam emails offering sex and images with just one click.  All this directly relates to acting out sexual desires and unwanted pregnancies (death).  Not to mention the spiritual "death" that is taking place as millions are turning away from God for earthly pleasures. 

b.
Put on the full armor of God daily.  Make my life a living prayer by FIXING my thoughts on, "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."  Also, memorize scripture that is our only offensive weapon to defeat Satan.  Jesus quoted scripture in the wilderness to resist temptation.  We need to quote scripture as well.  

THIRD DAY:
8. a.

• Be quick to listen and slow to speak and slow to become angry
• Get rid of all moral filth
• Humbly accept the word planted in you that can save you
• Do not merely listen to the word, but be doer's of the word
• Keep a tight reign on your tongue
• Keep oneself from being polluted by the world

b.
Right now I am not involved in any type of ministry.  I need to do a better job of being a "doer" of the word.

9. a.
This could mean anyone with very little means of economic support.  I.e., the unemployed family trying to pay their bills, or the homeless person who needs food and warm clothing. 

b.
Yes, I have a responsibility.   We all are admonished by Christ in the beatitudes to take care of one another. At my church they take a special collection for the needs of those who are struggling financially.  I support food banks that support the homeless.

FOURTH DAY:
10.
Preference is shown at certain times where favoritism is at all times.  In other words, my "preference" may be to eat at Taco Bell one day, and then eat at McDonald's the next day.  "Favoritism" is like your favorite color, it almost never changes.  Favoritism is really not acceptable in any circle.  Preference, however, is okay as long as it is balanced out equally over time. 

11. a.
Democrats and Republicans try to win the favor of the rich by holding fund raising dinners that cost attendees more $1500 to $5000 a plate.

b.
I am a Republican, and I am not rich, so I can't reverse it.

12.
If they have sinned at any point in their lives, in which they have, that verse will help them realize they are guilty of breaking the whole law of God. Then, we can emphasize that salvation comes only by grace through faith in Jesus.  We can also say, if we could attain salvation by obeying the law, then Christ died in vain. We can show them that we can be righteous before God only on the basis of the righteousness of Christ. Though Christ was without sin, he paid the penalty due for our sin so that we would be declared righteous before God.

FIFTH DAY:
13.
James was describing a dead faith, one that is not real.  True faith, or one that is "alive," or real, and it transforms not only our speech, but our conduct as well.  Mt. 7:16, "You will know them by their fruits."  

14.
The demons are "orthodox" in their theology, because they believe in God just like Abraham and Rahab, yet demons are different than Abraham and Rahab, because they are rebellious towards God.    

15. a.
James says that Abraham was considered righteous for what he did with Isaac.  Rahab hid the spies from Israel, demonstrating her faith in God's plan for Israel.  If you are "born again," your "spiritual birth" must produce growth just like your physical growth.  With birth must come growth.  If there is not growth, someone may not be truly born again.

b.
Evidence of the faith to me equals fruits of the Holy Spirit.  I hope that people close to me see kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and joy.  I am still a work in progress and need to work on love, patience, and self-control.  

SIXTH DAY:
16.
As Christians I am learning to be a witness amongst the trials in my life.  I need to continue to persevere through trials and allow perseverance to complete my faith.  Pray that I continue to persevere.
17.