JAMES Date A.D. 50-60

The author is the earthly half-brother of Jesus, being the natural son of Mary and Joseph, and head of the Church Council in Jerusalem and is the earliest of all New Testament writings.

James is the Greek form of Jacob

The Book of James was written for Jewish Christians who had been dispersed throughout because of persecution in Jerusalem at the beginning of the Christian Church. It is an authoritative letter that instructs and encourages the Christians as they face difficulties from other traditional Jews. It records that genuine belief in Christ brings forth the mature workings of the fruits of The Holy Spirit, characterised outwardly by good deeds. Verbal faith is insufficient, it must include action. This book is known as the wisdom book of the New Testament and was designed to produce dependence upon God and an enduring faith. It is also known as the most practical guide to Christian living of all the letters as it is written for believers to live their life to honour God. The letter was drafted in the universal language of The Roman Empire, being Greek and had been kept from a wide circulation until James' violent martyr's death at Jerusalem.

The Book of James is the first of seven Church Letters. This universal work is also considered a Book containing teaching. It is also the twentieth of twenty-seven Books of The New Testament.

• CHOSEN BIBLICAL SCRIPTURE

God's nature, character, His plans and purposes are unchangeable. Gifts from Above are perfect because they come from God, The Father, who is the Designer of all the heavenly bodies which give light to the earth, but unlike like them, He does not change. He is committed to His unchanging principles; they are constant, as He is constant. God is not passive or remote from His Creation but actively involved in all that He has made. His same consistent purpose can be seen throughout The Bible.

There is no possibility of change in the purposes of The Godhead. Unlike the moon, planet and stars of His Creation, God does not change. Our light on earth is from the sun, cast shadows that change quickly, the Light of His Truth and The Light of His Holiness remain constant. All God's perfect good gifts and qualities are made available for the benefit of the whole world. God's actions demonstrate His good gifts, His people can rely on His goodness and He works for good in any unfavourable circumstances. God's perfect unchanging loyalty is true to His name, His Word and His character. Instead of being a giver of temptation God is the giver of every good and perfect gift. God's goodness rules out that God would be a destructive influence against His own people. God cannot think of evil, to send evil for He is good and perfect and cannot entice people to do evil in His sight.

Jesus is Lord and Christ, The Jewish Messiah, The Believer's Example.

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