I first read through the opening chapter of James' letter and wondered if all his allusions were taken from
the New Testament. No. In that first chapter my New King James Version (with
the centre column containing page cross-references) lists the Old Testament books of: I Kings, Jeremiah, Job, Numbers,
Proverbs and Isaiah, and New Testament books:
Acts, II Peter, Romans, Matthew, Mark James, I Corinthians, John, Ephesians,
Colossians and Luke. This man knew the whole
Bible and was able to put his own imprint upon it. How beautifully the
translators from the Greek have given it to us in English.
Now I have read it all. James is telling us in
every verse how to be a Christian; not to have faith without works. “Faith
without works is dead” (James 2:20).
Patience is a prominent
theme for James. We are also told to watch what we say. And, at last we are told
of the effectiveness of prayer. “Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray; Is
any merry? Let him sing psalms” (James 5:13). Ask the elders of the church to
pray for us when we are sick. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man
availeth much” (5:16).
Let us pray!
Joyce Voysey
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