GOD AND HIS WORD IS SUFFICIENT TO SAVE US (James 1:18-21) In the book of James the Bible or the Word of God is described in various ways: “the word of truth” (1:18), “the engrafted word” (KJV) or “the word planted in you” (NIV) (1:21), “the perfect law of liberty” (1:25), “the royal law” (2:8), “the law” (2:9, 4:11), “the law of liberty” (2:12), and “the scripture” (2:23, 4:5). It is often taught that the book of James is a very practical book, and it is, but it is also a theological book, especially with regards to our salvation. James is very clear with regard to the issue of our salvation. James teaches that our salvation comes from God through his Word. WE ARE SAVED THROUGH THE SOVEREIGN WILL OF GOD ▪ “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures” (James 1:18). ▪ “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created” (NIV) James is not talking about all people here, he is referring to those whom he calls “us.” This “us” is repeatedly called by James as “my brethren” (1:2,9,19, 2:1,5,14,15, 3:1,1) and these brothers in Christ are Jewish believers – “the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad” (1:1) Our Salvation is Strictly and Solely By the Sovereign Will of God – “Of his own will” (1:18). This agrees with John 1:13 which says, “Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” Paul concurs with this idea as well: “Having predestinated unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will” (Eph. 1:5). Our New Birth Begins With God and Not With Us - “begat he us” (1:18). The NIV reads “give us birth.” The birth referred to here is the new birth; spiritual birth; born again in the spirit through the Holy Spirit. Our salvation; our new birth is a gift from God. We didn’t earn it; we don’t deserve it; it is not our right but strictly and solely by God’s gracious and sovereign gift to us. We didn’t give ourselves new birth; God did that for us (aor. act. indic). The New Birth from God is Through His Word - “with the word of truth” (1:18, phrase is also mentioned by Paul in 2 Cor. 6:7; Col. 1:15; Eph. 1:13; 2 Tim. 3:15). The means for this gift of salvation is through the Word of truth; through the Gospel message of salvation (specific) and the Bible (general). There is no salvation apart from the Word of God. The Word of God is the means by which this gift of salvation can be imparted to sinful humans like us. The “word of truth” has to be preached. The truth has to be proclaimed. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Rom. 10:13-15). The New Birth Elevates Us to the Highest Status Over All Creation - “that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures” (1:18). This is the purpose why God gave us new birth; to make us the “firstfruits of his creatures.” The word “firstfruits” is also used by Paul in his letters. ▪ Romans 8:23 – “firstfruits of the Spirit” ▪ Romans 16:5 – “firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ” ▪ 1 Corinthians 16:15 – “firstfruits of Achaia” All regenerated or born again Christians are “firstfruits” (aparche) of God in Christ i.e. among all of God’s creation they are first in rank and dignity. WE ARE SAVED THROUGH THE INGRAFTED WORD OF GOD ▪ “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21) ▪ “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you” (NIV) Two Wherefores Actually there are two “wherefores” in the context (v. 19 and v. 21). “Wherefore” (hoste) can also be translated as “so that” or “insomuch as” or “therefore.” What James is saying is this, “Because brothers, now that you have been born again through the will of God, therefore…” We Can Now Overcome Sin – “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls” (vv. 19-21) James mentions some specific sins such as: (1) The sins of the tongue – “let every man swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (v. 19). The sins of the tongue is particularly mentioned in 3:2-12. (2) The sins of dirty/filthy living – “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness” (KJV) or ““Therefore, get rid of all moral filth.” It is a broad phrase encompassing all sorts of sins that relate to our morality. Think of any sin that is dirty such as dirty money, dirty speech, dirty thoughts, dirty relationships, dirty dealings, dirty business, dirty habits, dirty connections, dirty friends, dirty jobs, etc. (3) The sins people are not ashamed of anymore – “and superfluity of naughtiness” (KJV) or “and the evil that is so prevalent” (NIV). Evil is increasing and people are no longer ashamed of it. As an example, many today post in FaceBook and Twitter or elsewhere in the internet the evil they do and they are not ashamed of it. The apostle Paul talks about people whose “glory is in their shame” (Phil. 3:19). We Can Now Humbly Receive God’s Word – “and receive with meekness the engrafted word” (KJV) or “and humbly accept the word planted in you” (NIV). Regeneration makes a person humble because he knows his salvation is solely the work of God without any contribution on his part. The regenerate man is humble enough to recognize that his salvation is a gift from God. Salvation is a gift; it is not earned; thus there is no room for pride on our part. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8,9). The regenerate man is also humble enough to continuously receive the Word of God in his heart. The word “receive” (dechomai, oar. mid. imper.) means “to receive favorably, to embrace, to receive education.” To receive the Word of God is a command that we all should do for our own good. Why Receive God’s Word? ▪ Because of Its Power – “which is able to save your souls” (KJV) or “which can save you” (NIV). The Word of God is very powerful – “able” (dunamai, pres. mid./pass. part.). Dunamis/dunamai is where the English word “dynamite” come from. ▪ Because of What it Can Deliver – “which is able to save your souls” (KJV) or “which can save you” (NIV). “Save” (sozo, aor. act. infin.). The Word of God is not only potent now; it is also potent in the future. The Word of God can take us to our ultimate salvation. We need to understand that we are not yet in heaven; for us to ultimately get there we need to be humble to always embrace the Word of God. (James in his letter mentions the word “save” in several verses within specific contexts. ▪ “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?” (2:14). According to James true saving faith must always be accompanied by good works – “I will shew thee my faith by my works” (v. 18); “how faith wrought by his works and by works faith was made perfect” (v. 22) ▪ “There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who are you that judgest another?” (4:12). In this verse, God is both Savior and Destroyer. God will save those who love him (4:4), those who are “humble” (4:6,10) and those who “do the law” (4:11). Those who hate him; those who are proud and those who reject his law God will destroy them. ▪ “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins” (5:19,20). To be saved a sinner has to be “converted” (epistrepho) and someone has to convert him from the error of his way.) Lessons to Apply: 1. The new that every child of God experienced is instantaneous or completed in an instant. “Begat” is in the aorist tense (James 1:18). ▪ Aorist tense – “an occurrence without reference to duration” (John 1:13; 1 Peter 1:3; 2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 2:5,6) ▪ Perfect tense – “a state of completion” (1 John 2:29, 5:1,4; 2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 2:5) 2. The new birth is an ongoing experience, a process of growth that continuous throughout one’s lifetime. “Being born again (pres. pass. part.), not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Peter 1:23 also in Eph. 2:1). 3. God makes the new birth efficacious only through his Word. By his Word God created the universe; and by his Word we are given new birth. That is why a real Christian loves the Word of God. He reads it, studies it, meditates on it, and by the help of God obeys it.
Posted on: Sun, 02 Nov 2014 11:33:02 +0000
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