The Greek name “James” is the Hebrew form of “Jacob”, and “The Epistle of James” shows “faith without results is dead, useless, nothing but wishful thinking”, for James reveals how “our Lord Jesus, the resurrected Christ, gives Himself, as workable-experienced faith that begins in the human spirit (heart), and since the human soul has three parts—emotions, mind, will—Christ’s pure, most holy faith, goes into the “will”, where it grips Jesus with one “hand” and the “results” with the other, bringing “Faith’s Author” and “Faith’s Results”, together.
True, genuine, pure, most holy faith can be felt, in the same way fear and love; can be felt. Fear is constant torment, but love, only stays a few seconds or minutes, just long enough to get the intended results, and then is gone, but the results is “life-changing”, for pure faith brings “wisdom” into our lives, as we read in James 1:2-8, which is what Proverbs 3 teaches us.
James 1:2-8 (NLT)—2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance (ability to joyfully endure hardships) is fully developed, you will be perfect (mature) and complete, needing nothing. 5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask Him, be sure your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
Most people, even Christians, hear or read God’s word, but never truly believe, claim, obey, and receive the promises of God’s word; therefore, Salvation is in the “emotions and mind” but not in the heart (spirit/person inside the body), where He (Luke 2:25-30) changes every detail of our life, which is what Proverbs 3:1-12 wants us to understand.
Proverbs 3:1-12 (NLT)—1 My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. 2 If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. 3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart (Psalm 45:1). 4 Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. 7 Do not be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. 8 Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. 9 Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. 10 Then He will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine. 11 My child, do not reject the LORD’s discipline, and do not be upset when He corrects you. 12 For the LORD corrects those He loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
Immediately, when a problem hits, we must check ourselves, for most likely it is the LORD’s discipline, and the problem will stay until we humbly submit to God’s correction, and turn away from whatever caused the problem, for this is God’s love, knowledge, grace, and wisdom in action, so be joyously thankful, with repentant praise and worship, and we know Colossians 2:1-5 commands us “all knowledge and wisdom are in Christ Jesus, our wonderful Lord”.
Colossians 2:1-5 (NLT)—1 I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other believers who have never met me personally. 2 I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. 3 In Him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments. 5 For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and your faith in Christ is strong.
Mental and verbal faith is useless, but genuine, pure, most holy faith (Jude 1:20-23) that can be felt, is so strong the intended results is unquestionable; therefore, we will stand boldly in the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5:5-7), so stop praying and start praising the Lord.
Jim Nabors
