if you suffer, rejoice - it could be worse - you could be
rich.
A SCEPTICAL
READING OF THE BIBLE – THE EPISTLE OF JAMES
Chapter 1
Addressed from James to the scattered descendants of the
twelve tribes of Israel (in effect, everyone in the World), this is a discourse
on the value of evil temptations.
Temptation is
something we should be grateful to God for, as it gives us patience and
resilience. The poor may wish to be rich,
but in having less they have less to let go of when they move on to the afterlife.
The rich will have a much tougher time separating themselves from their
commodities, material spoils, and accumulated wealth.
God himself, James states, must not be
blamed for our temptations, as he tempts no one. James blames temptations on
our own lusts, (we are tempted by our temptations – totally circular
reasoning), and to surrender to our lusts is a sin.
Having found a
good religion does not guarantee salvation, as having faith in Christ but
continuing to sin reduces the value of the faith to nothing (Verse 26).
Chapter 2
The wealthy mock
the poor while contributing to the suffering of the poor. They are reminded in
uncompromising terms that ‘love thy neighbour’ is one of the chief Commandments
set before Moses. (Verse 8). We are guilty of sin if we obey all of God’s laws
and commandments except one. Adulterers may not have murdered anyone, but they
are as dammed as any killer for their own transgressions.
We are told to be
charitable to the poor, and do good deeds as well as having good faith. James
cites the example of Abraham, God Fearing (faith) and willing to sacrifice his
son, Isaac a deed) on God’s wishes, (Verse 21). Surely a better example exists
than that of a man threatening, abortively to murder his own child).
A second example does follow, that of Rahab The Harlot, a
prostitute who rescued Israeli spies during the battle for Jericho. (2 Joshua).
Here is a more worthy illustration than the above Abraham reference James
gives.
Chapter 3
A horse, for all
its size, can be steered with a small bit between its teeth. The biggest ship
can be controlled by a small helm. In humans, the opposite rule applies, as our
small tongues, words from which can make or break us, can ruin our lives. A
tongue, James reminds us, can ‘bless or curse’ (Verse 10). He compares the tongue to a
fountain that makes sweet water taste bitter.
Chapter 4
War is bad as it involves us taking plenty from others
without asking God. (This seems to disregard wars where God clearly supports
the cause of the winning side).
Love of the World is loving another and not loving God, who
is going to be jealous. Love of the World is having an affair and comparable to
adultery.
To James, we are God’s girlfriends, and God wants to go
steady.
Chapter 5
The treasures amassed by the rich won’t shield them. Their
wealth will be their undoing. Here James returns to an earlier theme he has
digressed from – having a go at the rich.
He believes the Second Coming is imminent, but we must
retain the patience of Job. If ill, our illness is a reminder to pray to God.
If happy, we should thank God for our good fortune, or risk being unhappy again
soon. The dying should be seen as a means by which the faithful are drawn
together in mournful prayer for the souls of those soon to depart.
Everything has a purpose. Prayer and seeking forgiveness
for sins are essential in life to James. He sets great store by prayer,
remembering Elias praying for it to stop raining for three and a half years,
which God made happen, until Elias prayed for a return of the rain, which God
promptly switched back on accordingly. My own efforts to stop this morning’s
rain this way failed to impress God – sorry folks.
James calls for us to convert as many people as possible
before the end-times, saving as many sinners from Hell as we can.
Arthur Chappell
© Copyright. Arthur Chappell
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