James (Program #8) – Practical Virtues of Christian Perfection (8)

This is actually the 8th radio program we’ve done in the life study of James and is covering printed message number 10. We have seen a lot so far,  life study of James is a little bit different than other life studies because James was not fully clear about God’s New Testament economy.

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James (Program #7) – Practical Virtues of Christian Perfection (7)

The Apostle James was a man of tremendous Christian character and virtue. He was genuinely pious and godly, and he obviously possessed great human wisdom. His epistle was perhaps the most practical in the New Testament in terms of Christian perfection. But as we have seen repeatedly in this current life-study of the book of James, when we compared his writing with that of the other New Testament writers, it becomes quite clear that for all his virtue and piety, James lacked a clear view of God’s goal and God’s way. A goal and a way that Paul described as God’s economy. All we need to do is consider how each of these two important figures in the New Testament present the matter of wisdom. In James 1:5 he said, “But if any one of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and does not reproach, and it will be given to him“.

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James (Program #6) – Practical Virtues of Christian Perfection (6)

One of the basic tenets of the Christian faith is the unequivocal belief that every word of the Bible is inspired by God. This essential truth comes from 2 Timothy 3:16, which literally says, “All scripture is God breathed“. Practically speaking what does this mean? Does it really mean that each word is God’s direct speaking? Well if that were the case, then we’d have to conclude that God was really speaking through Satan when Genesis quotes the serpent tempting Eve. Or how about Peter’s word in Matthew 16, which provoked the Lord Jesus to say to Peter, “get behind me Satan”. Surely every word is not God’s direct speaking, but every word is included in the canon of the biblical text according to God’s inspiration. And this inspiration is always linked to God’s purpose. If the Bible includes a passage it is there because God has desired it to be there, and there is a definite reason for it.

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James (Program #5) – Practical Virtues of Christian Perfection (5)

We have pointed out in our first 4 radio programs on the life study of James that we need to have a balanced view of the epistle of James. On the one hand this Epistle is helpful in emphasizing on practical Christian perfection. On the other hand this Epistle serves as a warning that it is possible even for a very godly man as James not to be clear concerning God’s New Testament economy.

Today we are going to get a view from chapter 2 of the book of Acts that James was not clear about God’s economy.

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James (Program #4) – Practical Virtues of Christian Perfection (4)

In chapter one of the Epistle of James, three major points are covered: the divine birth in verse 18, receiving the implanted word in verse 21, and the perfect law of freedom in verse 25. First God brought us forth he regenerated us by the word of truth. Hence the word of truth is the seed of life for our divine birth. After being regenerated by receiving this seed, we need to continue to receive the implanted word, which is able to save our soul in our daily life.

According to verse 18, the word of truth is for regeneration in our spirit. According to verse 21, we need the implanted word for the daily salvation of our soul. Moreover according to verses 25-27, we need the perfect law of freedom so that we may live a God-fearing life. A life that might be considered religious in a proper sense. Such a life corresponds to God’s heart, which is love, and to God’s nature, which is holiness.

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James (Program #3) – Practical Virtues of Christian Perfection (3)

After studying the Apostle Paul’s writings and the life study messages on the writings of Paul, we will no doubt be influenced to receive the light concerning God’s economy and to be strongly for God’s economy. But there is the possibility that we may be careless in our behavior or that we may neglect the matter of practical Christian perfection. Therefore we need the balance provided by the book of James, which comes in the Scripture immediately after the fourteen Epistles of the Apostle Paul.

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James (Program #2) – Practical Virtues of Christian Perfection (2)

Perhaps the most important contribution that the Epistle of James makes to the New Testament is in the area of practical Christian perfection. Some people may not understand the usage of the word “perfection” in this context. James actually uses it in verse 4 of chapter 1. Let me read beginning at verse 2 to give it its proper context, “Count it all joy, my brothers, whenever you fall into various trials, knowing that the proving of your faith works out endurance. And let endurance have its perfect work that you may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.” What is it to let endurance have its perfect work that we may be perfect?

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James (Program #1) – Introduction and Practical Virtues of Christian Perfection (1)

One of last books to be added to the canon of the New Testament was the Epistle of James. Throughout the centuries, believers have had very different attitudes towards this book. Some believers treasure it to the uttermost, granting it a status of being among the very top books in the bible. Others, drawing a comparison between James and Proverbs, may feel that it would better fit in the Old Testament. While some have question whether it belongs in the Bible at all. Why would such a book give rise to these varied opinions? The message of the book is very clear and straightforward. The language is lovely even poetic in places. And the author had great creditability because scholars agreed that this was the James that was the Lord Jesus’ flesh brother and he was also the leading elder in the first church, the Church in Jerusalem.  We believe that the life study we begin today will give us a very solid answer to this intriguing question.

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Hebrews (Program #69) – The Function of the Law of Life

The Captain of Salvation, the Author of our Faith, the Great High Priest, the Pioneer, and the Forerunner. This is the Christ that we have seen in Hebrews.

This life study of Hebrews took place in 1975 and 76.  It was unquestionably one of the real gems of the entire life study.  Today brings us to our 69th and final program from the book of Hebrews.   As we like to do in our wrap-up programs as we finish a book of the Bible, we break form a bit and spend more time reviewing and discussing the high points that have marked our journey along the way.  Hebrew is certainly a book that has many of these high points.  A point was made in our first broadcast that Hebrews is a book that is not that well-know among a lot of Christians.

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Hebrews (Program #68) – Living According to the Nature of God

Today in Hebrews, we will see once again that it is normal for man to live not by outward regulations, but by the very life of God within him.

As Christians, we often speak of how much God needs us. And it’s true. God does need us for His purpose and His plan. But, what is it that He needs from us? Does He really need us to do things for Him? or is He more concerned not for what we do for Him, but what we are in Him? Living by God’s own nature is once again our focus of today’s life study of the Bible.

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