My notes from James 3 & 4

Shalom aleichem, (Peace be upon you)

Chazak u'varuch, (Be strong and blessed)

L'shanah tovah, (Have a good year)

Labriut, (May you have good health)

Shalom. (Good-bye in peace)

I put together the above blessing in Hebrew/Yiddish for you and your family. The translation is mostly accurate, but pardon me if some of it is a little off. I hope that God has been near to you through all of this week's ups and downs. Remember, God is FIRST! Our relationship with Him should be our priority.

So, I am going to write some of my notes from my study through James. Here are my thoughts on James 2:13-25, 3 and 4. I suggest that you read the chapters so that you can see the context of my notes. Feel free to let me know what your thoughts are when you read it. :) Some of the writing will be based on Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary.

Just assenting to the gospel without works is not faith. There is no way to show that we really believe in Jesus unless we show it in our actions and words. Not only must their be assent, but there must be a consent to take Christ. Faith is the root. Good works are the fruit. We must see to it that we have both.

An unruly tongue is a great evil. When my tongue is employed in sinful ways, it is set on fire by Hell. No one can tame the tongue without Divine help. Even then, it is still difficult for us because the tongue is so often used and so little thought of. It often happens that as physical strength weakens and people get older, their words often becomes more tart and passionate. True religion will not say contradictions. I need to aim to be consistent in my words and actions. Edifying language comes from a sanctified heart. That is why we expect a Christian to not curse or lie. What comes out of your mouth was already in your heart.

Christ only had to suffer once, meanwhile, we die day by day to put on Christ. What does it mean when it says, “By whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison.”? Read the context. Anti-type definition- a person or thing that represents the opposite of someone or something else. Baptism is the answer of a good conscience toward God.Everything has been made subject to Him.

May the purity, peace, gentleness, teachableness and mercy shown in all our actions and the fruits of righteousness abounding in our lives, prove that God has bestowed upon us this excellent gift. Matthew Henry

Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam...

Translation: "Blessed are You, LORD our God, King of the universe..."