Study 1A...James opens his letter with the theme of spiritual maturity (verse 4), where we read that God’’s purpose for His children is ““that (they) may be mature and complete, not lacking anything...Spiritual maturity.
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Series 14
Study 1A THE PATHWAY TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY
THE LETTER OF JAMES
There are many ways that people can grow in spiritual maturity but there is one major step to take before any of it can happen! We have to first make the step of recognizing that we need help.
Found in the Bible in Mark 2:17 Jesus tells his listeners, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Scripture Portion: James 1:1-4, 12
It is generally accepted that the writer of this letter was James, a brother of the Lord Jesus, known to the early Church as James the Just. He, with others in his family, were opponents of Christ, as we learn from Mark 3:21 and John 7:1-10. His conversion came about after the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7). Later he believed, and became bishop, or leader, of the Jerusalem church. His letter was written to the whole church, for the reference to “”the twelve tribes”” in verse 1 is a symbolic description. This letter is therefore for us today!
James opens his letter with the theme of spiritual maturity (verse 4), where we read that God’’s purpose for His children is ““that (they) may be mature and complete, not lacking anything
””. Surely we all want to become spiritually mature. We do not want to remain immature with all the marks of spiritual infancy about us; look up Matthew 5:48, where the word ‘’perfect’’ = ‘’mature’’. What, then, is the process by which we may reach this goal? What is the pathway to maturity? The answer is in James 1:1-4, and in verse 12.
1 . We must begin by entering God’’ s family by placing our faith in Christ as Saviour and Lord.
Notice the word ““brothers”” in verse 2. This implies a new and wonderful relationship. It means being a child of God and a member of His family. No-one can grow up into Christ and become mature who has not first been born into His family. There must be birth before growth; so before 2 Peter 3:18 can take place there must be the experience of John 1:11-14.
2 . We must recognise our family relationships and responsibilities.
James addressed his letter to ““my brothers”” (verse 2). Not only was James himself a child of God, but he wrote to other children of God who were, of course, his brothers and sisters in God’’s family. See this truth emphasised in Ephesians 3:14-15. All Christians, everywhere, are my brothers and sisters. What a privilege this is! –- but what a responsibility it places upon us also! To become spiritually mature we must recognise our family relationships and enjoy fellowship with those who are our brothers and sisters in Christ.
3 . We must seek the grace of humility .
The opening words of verse 1 read – – “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ2”. He could have said: ‘‘James, brother of our Lord…’…’; or ‘’James, Bishop of Jerusalem…’…’; but having emphasised our Lord’’s deity (note the words ““of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ””) he chose to introduce himself as ““a servant””. What humility! It is submission God-ward, (James 4:7 and 10); and man-ward (Ephesians 4:2 and Philippians 2:3-8). How we need to obey the injunction in 1 Peter 5:5-6!
Open your bible and look into the small portion of the bible that end this study,and take a perfect interpretation to your own life,how does it relate to your christian lives?
We shall continue in the part B of this study.
I celebrate you...
For more package,visit our blog:segoeevangelism1992.blogspot.com and also you can click on the link attached.
For support and testimony: segoeevangelism1992@gmail.com
Follow us on Facebook via;
https://mobile.facebook.com/segoeevangelism/
God bless you.
Endeavor to share...
@Livingwater.
Series 14
Study 1A THE PATHWAY TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY
THE LETTER OF JAMES
There are many ways that people can grow in spiritual maturity but there is one major step to take before any of it can happen! We have to first make the step of recognizing that we need help.
Found in the Bible in Mark 2:17 Jesus tells his listeners, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Scripture Portion: James 1:1-4, 12
It is generally accepted that the writer of this letter was James, a brother of the Lord Jesus, known to the early Church as James the Just. He, with others in his family, were opponents of Christ, as we learn from Mark 3:21 and John 7:1-10. His conversion came about after the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7). Later he believed, and became bishop, or leader, of the Jerusalem church. His letter was written to the whole church, for the reference to “”the twelve tribes”” in verse 1 is a symbolic description. This letter is therefore for us today!
James opens his letter with the theme of spiritual maturity (verse 4), where we read that God’’s purpose for His children is ““that (they) may be mature and complete, not lacking anything
””. Surely we all want to become spiritually mature. We do not want to remain immature with all the marks of spiritual infancy about us; look up Matthew 5:48, where the word ‘’perfect’’ = ‘’mature’’. What, then, is the process by which we may reach this goal? What is the pathway to maturity? The answer is in James 1:1-4, and in verse 12.
1 . We must begin by entering God’’ s family by placing our faith in Christ as Saviour and Lord.
Notice the word ““brothers”” in verse 2. This implies a new and wonderful relationship. It means being a child of God and a member of His family. No-one can grow up into Christ and become mature who has not first been born into His family. There must be birth before growth; so before 2 Peter 3:18 can take place there must be the experience of John 1:11-14.
2 . We must recognise our family relationships and responsibilities.
James addressed his letter to ““my brothers”” (verse 2). Not only was James himself a child of God, but he wrote to other children of God who were, of course, his brothers and sisters in God’’s family. See this truth emphasised in Ephesians 3:14-15. All Christians, everywhere, are my brothers and sisters. What a privilege this is! –- but what a responsibility it places upon us also! To become spiritually mature we must recognise our family relationships and enjoy fellowship with those who are our brothers and sisters in Christ.
3 . We must seek the grace of humility .
The opening words of verse 1 read – – “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ2”. He could have said: ‘‘James, brother of our Lord…’…’; or ‘’James, Bishop of Jerusalem…’…’; but having emphasised our Lord’’s deity (note the words ““of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ””) he chose to introduce himself as ““a servant””. What humility! It is submission God-ward, (James 4:7 and 10); and man-ward (Ephesians 4:2 and Philippians 2:3-8). How we need to obey the injunction in 1 Peter 5:5-6!
Open your bible and look into the small portion of the bible that end this study,and take a perfect interpretation to your own life,how does it relate to your christian lives?
We shall continue in the part B of this study.
I celebrate you...
For more package,visit our blog:segoeevangelism1992.blogspot.com and also you can click on the link attached.
For support and testimony: segoeevangelism1992@gmail.com
Follow us on Facebook via;
https://mobile.facebook.com/segoeevangelism/
God bless you.
Endeavor to share...
@Livingwater.
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