King James Bible – Book of James Overview

The Book of James in the King James Bible is written to the scattered tribes of Israel.  James recognizes that they are enduring trials.  Does he offer a solution?  No, he says “count it all joy” and to “let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”  Sometimes it takes hard times to refine your strength and your faith.  Can we find joy in our sufferings?  Yes, if we recognize God’s hand in the strength that we are using to make it through.

James also has an interesting comment on the practical use of faith.  We know that grace, or faith, cannot be earned through works.  Grace is given to us when we ask and when we believe in Jesus Christ.  James wonders about faith without works.  “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?”  If someone is without food or clothing, do we send them away without helping?  James adds “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”  What a conviction that we are to see other people’s needs and not dismiss them but to do something to help them!

The above passages are a couple of the gems that can be found in the Book of James in the King James Bible.  It is not a long book, only a few pages, and it is one that I have not referred to often.  It does provide thought-provoking messages like the one above that makes us think about what we are doing with our faith.  Is my faith dead?  Or do I have a heart for those in need.  Do I have the works to make my faith visible to others?  These are the questions I have to ask myself after reading James 2:14-17.  James holds us accountable later in his book saying that for those who know to do good, and don’t do it, that is sin.

In Chapter 4, as if we weren’t humble enough, James asks why we say we are going to do something tomorrow?  We don’t know what will happen.  “For what is your life?  It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.  For that ye ought to say, if the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.”  It makes me feel very small indeed.