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7.15 COMMUNITY STUDY The Book of James – 1:26-27

NO BIBLE STUDY THE WEEK OF JULY 22 – RESUME JULY 29

Introduction This morning, we come to a transition in James’ letter. These two verses serve as both a summary and a bridge. They are a summary of some of the important themes James’ has been inspired to address in the first two segments of his letter. And they serve as a bridge to what he will write about in the body of the letter.

Discover What James is contrasting are those who consider themselves ‘religious,’ but whose is ‘worthless’ in God’s sight, with those who live a life of faith that is acceptable to the Father. For those of us for whom faith is not approached casually or carelessly, what God’s Spirit has to say to us through his words should be of utmost importance. James indicates that there are three measures, or marks of a faith that is pleasing to God. He will expand on each of these as we move into the body of the letter.

• A genuine faith controls the tongue (speech) v. 26 • A genuine faith expresses itself in concern for others v. 27a • A genuine faith cares about ethical behavior v. 27b

Dig In A genuine faith controls the tongue v.26 • Let’s read the text Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. • James has already addressed this theme in verses 19-20, and will speak to it again in the first twelve verses of chapter three. • Why do you think he gives so much attention to our ‘tongue’ or speech? • The word that we translate religious is used only here in the entire . It denotes ‘scrupulous outward observance of religious exercise.’ • Let’s pay attention to a tough part of ’ teaching as he warned his hearers about the dangers of the ‘teachers of the law and the Pharisees.’ Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside will be clean. Matthew 23:25-27 • How should we understand what Jesus is saying about a life of faith? • Peter, the other major figure in the Jesus believing Jewish church makes a similar point. 2

Finally, all of you be like-minded, by sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil for evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “whoever among you would love life and see good days must keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.” Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. 1 Peter 3:8-11 • Peter makes his appeal on the basis of Psalm 34, from which the last part of this is taken, word-for-word. • What is the relationship between speech and quality of life in the community of faith? • What does James mean by saying when we ignore this connection, “we deceive ourselves?” • Who is the source of deception? Who is the deceiver?

Dig In A genuine faith expresses itself in concern for others v.27a • Let’s read the text Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…. • Recall what James said in verse 22. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. • Is James’ emphasis here on ‘doing the word?’ • What is the contrast between those who ‘consider themselves religious,’ and those who have a faith that the Father considers ‘pure and faultless?’ • James grounds what he writes to these scattered congregations in both the Hebrew Scriptures and the teaching of his brother and Lord, Jesus. Consider this. You foolish people. Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But now as for what is inside you – be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you. Luke 11:40-41 • What is the relationship between ‘being clean’ and ‘caring for the poor?’ • Why do you think Jesus made this point? As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at the banquets. They devour widows houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely. Mark 12:38-40 • In what way were the teachers of the law deceiving themselves? • Do you think this issue might have carried over into the Jesus believing Jewish community? • Why do you think James singles out orphans and widows for particular attention? What is it about them and their circumstances? • Were their circumstances different then than they are today? If yes, why? • It is interesting to note how often widows are the focus of Jesus’ teaching. o Anna, the prophetess, who spoke in praise to God when she saw the infant Jesus Luke 2:37 o Jesus raises a widow’s son Luke 7:11-16 3

o Jesus’ parable of the persistent widow Luke 18:3 o The widows offering Luke 21:2-3 • The earliest controversy in the Jesus believing church in was between groups of widows. In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. Acts 6:1 • The word that is translated ‘look after,’ means literally ‘to look out for,’ or ‘provide help for.’ • In what way does this expression of faith give credibility to the Gospel? If it does, why?

Dig In A genuine faith cares about ethical behavior v.27 b • Let’s read the text. …and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. • Is James contradicting himself, in light of what he said before? If not, why not? • The ESV translates this more accurately. It reads: …and to keep oneself unstained from the world. • This idea of ‘being unpolluted’ or ‘unstained’ comes from the person of Jesus. Again, we look to Peter to give us a sense of how the Jesus believing Jewish church thought about this. Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God who raised him from the dead. :17-21

But in keeping with his promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peach with him. 2 Peter 3:13-14 • What is the connection in Peter’s writing between how we conduct our lives and what Christ has done? • Between how we conduct our lives and what we await in the future? • In what way does ‘the world’ influence our thinking and our behavior? • What part of the value systems of our world today do you think can pollute or stain our lives? • What would James have considered the world to be in his day? • In what way would making this a priority in our faith walk impact the overall life of the community of faith? • Is there a relationship between purity of heart and purity of actions?

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• What challenges you about this? • Where does God want to speak to you about your own life of faith through this?