PHILIP_TAN

Q4. (5:9) What does our grumbling and complaining say about us? About our faith? About our patience? Ans. Our grumbling and complaining show that we are impatient and discontented. Grumbling and complaining is displeasing to God. The test comes when we face problems. The Israelites grumbled and complained again and again for 40 years after being delivered from bondage and were journeying to Canaan Land. Life is exactly like that, ....a journey. "Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.... And do not grumble, as some of them did--and were killed by the destroying angel" (1 Corinthians 10:6, 10) "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe" (Philippians 2:14-16). Problems test our faith. When we are grumbling, we are not trusting God in that situation. In a way, we are blaming God for putting in that situation just like the Israelites did. Grumbling shows our lack of patience. James 1:4 "let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing". Hebrews 10:36 "For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise". Proverbs 3:5 - 7 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil".

Q1. (4:13-16) What danger is James warning us about in verses 13-16? How can we be humble in our planning without being indecisive and wishy-washy? The danger of BOASTING about tomorrow. Plan ahead but submit to the will of God. He may change your plans, Accept His plans and His ways 4 u even if they disrupt your preconceived ideas. Isaiah 55.8-12 says: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and return not thither, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goe forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing]whereto I sent it. For you shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Finally, rejoice in the Lord always!

Q1. (4:1-3) Is God against pleasure? What wrong in living to increase one's pleasure? I doubt God is against pleasure per se. Indeed God created man according to His good pleasure, and all things in this world are created for man's pleasure. (see Genesis 1.26-28). That is to say for our enjoyment. But when Sin came, the world became corrupted and evil existed. The original pleasure that God intended for man was lost. **** took its place instead. More often, the pleasure we entertained today as mentioned in James 4.1-3 "come from your desires"(****). Therefore, to increase one's pleasure(self) displeases God as it is out of our own ****. The flesh cannot please God (Romans 8.5-9). Galations 5.16,17, also written by the Apostle Paul, clearly warns us of the conflicting dangers of "fulfilling the **** of the flesh(pleasures). If we are led by the Spirit, let us then "walk in the Spirit"(Galations 5.16). Hence, the pleasure that pleases our God will be good and clean fun! (Phillipians 4.8,9).

With what tool do peacemakers sow peace? Why does this produce a ripening crop of righteousness? In whom does this crop grow? Ans. With the tool of righteousness (i.e. without partiality or hypocrisy). This produced a ripening crop of righteousness as it is sown in peace by those who make peace. This crop grows on both the doer (peacemaker) as well as the hearer.

The tongue is untameable as the evil proceeds from an evil heart. The heart needs to be surrendered to Jesus as only His love can transform an evil heart. As in CHRIST-IAN, remove Christ in my life and I Am Nothing. Nothing good dwells in me which has an evil heart (Sin nature). Only by God's grace through faith can our heart be transformed. (Romans 12 v 2).

Q4. (2:20-26) How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)? James 2v20-26 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent [them] out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Ephesians 2v8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Answer: Yes, saved by GRACE through faith.(profession of faith) But faith without works is dead.(evidence of faith) Without works your faith is vain - James 2v20. You see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

The "belief" of a demon that there is one God is due to their creation, existence and fall because of their rebellion. They now tremble in fear knowing that they are reserved for that final day of judgment and everlasting suffering. The "belief" of a practising christian is someone who shows his faith through his good works. While that of a non-practising christian is someone who claims to believe in God but has no works to show for it (intellectual belief).

We must take care of the poor and needy in our church community, ensuring that their daily basic needs are look into. That then is true religion. To put it simply, outside of our church community is not our responsibility. BUT if we have the means, we can serve them in their needs as witnesses for Christ. Perhaps through our good deeds, some may even be saved. As the saying goes, sometimes we have to "Meet the need (physical), then meet the real need (spiritual)" .

My faith is dead if it is only mental and theorectical. As in FAITH, I forsake all to follow Him (so it must be practical - Luke 9v23). My faith can be alive as I choose to walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5v16-18), the result of which is the production of the fruit of the Spirit ( Galatians 5v22-25).

When we show favoritism, we are being partial and fall into the mould of prejudging(prejudice) and thus become judgmental. It is sin. Indeed Jesus condemned such hypocrisy(Matt.7:1-5). When we judge someone, it is usually with a critical spirit. It stamps from an evil heart (Jeremiah 17:9,10), that puts down one human and sets up another (meaning showing favoritism and partiality).

Some time or other, we all do discriminate, whether consciously or unconsciously. Why do I say this? Take for example the deadly sin called Pride. Yes, there is pride in our nature. Some more, some less. There are many types of pride. Here's a few: Pride of Grace ( salvation) Pride of Place (status, position,etc.) Pride of Face (beauty) Pride of Race (superior). For me, admittedly so, I do discriminate against these foreign laborers (Bangla Deshis, Sri Lankans). I have to continuously confess and "renew my mind" (Psalm 51v1-4; Romans 12v2). I also constantly remind myself of the need to be a practising and not just a believing, churchgoing, preachy christian. (James1v22-27).

"taming the tongue and caring for the poor the prime tests of pure religion" Being pure also means holy living, and if u have untamed (uncontrolled) tongue,etc. then u are not living (practising) the life (James1v22). U may know the Word but if u are not practising(living) the Word, then your so called pure religion is vain and useless (James1v27).

Of course it is self-deceiving. It's like going to church every sunday and then thinking that u r a christian or that u r "holy". Indeed it is a deception and obviously the devil is a master of it. It is like in IT where u learn best hands-on for until u do it, u r unable to see your "faults". If u simply hear and not do, u think u know already! U r deceiving yourself! In the christian life, practice makes PERMANENT.

our spiritual birth comes from knowing and receiving by faith the "word of truth" through the Holy Spirit which is given to us who believed. (Romans 10v9,10,17). Through The Word we received spiritual life (John 14v6; 15v5; 17v3). For without Him there is no spiritual life (John 1v1-4; 3v8;6v63).

God in His Word, promise to give us wisdom if we ask in faith without doubting, and it will be given him. When we are tried, we will need wisdom to understand God's purpose for this so that we can bear it with patient endurance.

Through enduring trials we become more "complete in Christ"(James1v4). We begin to understand truth from error, we learn to be single-minded (Philippians3v12-14) thus avoiding the pitfalls of doublemindedness. Our faith through trials become strong, firm and stable. Our walk in Christ grow in confidence and we become established in our faith (1 Peter 1v6,7; Colossians 2v6,7).

People may blamed God for evil especially when some major crisis, tragedy or disaster occurred to them and their loved ones. I think mostly out of overwhelming sorrow. Anyway, most of us know evil is of the devil. Those who blame God does not know God and they have been blinded by the evil one(2 Corinthians 4 v 4), who is the "god of this world". God does not tempt us with evil for He is holy(1 Peter 1 v 15,16). We are tempted when we are drawm away by our own lusts (1 John 2 v 15,16). We sinned because of our sinful nature (Romans 3 v 23) and because we are given a free will. Just as satan(lucifer) was given a free will. And because he chose to become evil and to influence Adam and Eve resulting in the Fall of mankind. God did not allow evil, He simply give us a free will to choose "the fruit in the garden whether of life or death"(Genesis 2 v 16,17).

Trials made me think about the strength (or weaknesses) of my faith. Do I have patience? My answer is no. I lack patience & I constantly failed when I am tried. As a result, I always felt I'm a failure and I encouraged myself by referring to Luke 22v.31,32. That is, Jesus cared for me that He won't allow me to fall away though I keep failing Him. It is my constant prayer as the song goes, "change my heart, o God, make it ever true.... may I be like you....You are the Potter, I am the clay......." I had begun to attend my church small group house fellowship more regularly, when previously I couldn't even be bothered, though I have to admit I am constantly struggling with temptation and spiritual warfare of the mind.

Hello, I am Philip Tan from Singapore, District 14. I noticed there's also Caroline from S'pore. So that makes 2 of us. I am married & my wife is Ellice. We have 2 sons (23 & 16). This is my first time online. Sorry for the late posting as I'd just came back from almost a week's Leave and this is my first try.