James 1:1 "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, ..."

There is no greater personal service than that of being in the service of God. James served the "Godhead". The Greek word for "God" is 'Theos.'

"In the New Testament and the Septuagint Theos, God, generally answers to the Old Testament plural name 'elohim.' See Matthew 4:7, cf. Deuteronomy 6:16 in the Hebrew and the Septuagint." The Hebrew-Greek Study Bible

The Septuagint used the singular 'Theos". to emphasise the unity of God and at the same time did not deny a plurality of Persons in the divine nature. All of which was understood by James in his use of the name for God, and his delight was to serve the triune God, doing His will. By stating "a servant of Jesus Christ" - he was assuring the deity of Jesus the second Person in the Godhead. This truth would be unspeakably wonderful to him as half brother to Jesus. The intimacy of the years shared in the Nazareth home are not mentioned by James. He marvelled that he served the Lord Jesus Christ who has always existed with God (Philippians 2:6 ), who is equal to God because He is God (John 1:1; Colossians 1:15-19 ). Who voluntarily and actually became human to become the Saviour of sinners by His death on the cross, and as risen Lord He is now glorified. He shall reign forever (Philippians 2:9-11 ).

Like James it should be our joy to praise Christ as our Lord and dedicate ourselves to His service. There is no greater privilege than to do His will.

Before the resurrection of Jesus Christ James was not a believer (John 7:3-5 ). The personal appearance of the risen Lord to Him changed him into an ardent believer and willing servant. The matter of faith was settled for James by the infallible proof of the resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 ). James himself was a witness of the resurrection of Jesus - so was Peter and the other disciples. Most of the five hundred actual witnesses of Christ's resurrection were still alive when Paul (1 Corinthians 15:1- 8 ) testified that the risen Lord was also seen of him. The living Christ is the Saviour and Baptiser in the Holy Spirit, mighty healer, and King of God's eternal kingdom, and Coming Lord. Then we who have not as yet seen the living Lord will see Him face to face (1 John 3:2 ).

James, mightily changed, by the power that brought Jesus back from the dead, believed that power to be available to all who believe so that each can live a life of practical, pleasing Christlikeness before God and the lost. The power Jesus promised is essential to all who prioritise the will of God.

James described himself as the servant of God and Jesus Christ. The word in the Greek is 'doulos' meaning "slave" one who is in a permanent relation of servitude to another. As such James was committed and altogether consumed in the will of God. His life demonstrated that he was a man under authority (Matthew 8:9 ), obediently carrying out the commands of his Lord. His example lends weight to the commands he gives in his letter. James was motivated by love for Jesus to surrender his will in committed loyalty. In this he was a true follower of his Lord's example, who, as the willing servant of the Father, prayed in Gethsemane

Luke 22:42 "... not my will, but thine, be done."

The surrender of our own will, in the embracing of His will, brings delight to our Lord and Master, and real satisfaction to us, because the Master's will is "good", "acceptable" and "perfect." (Romans 12:2 ).

James had no "on and off" kind of commitment. The ordering of his whole life passed into the hands of his Master. His conduct and service were under the rule of his Lord for all time and for any task. Can you say you are a "doulos" of the Lord, held and constrained by His love to serve Him forever?

As the Lord's bondsman James had a specific commission to the Jews and in particular to Jewish Christians (Galatians 2:9 ). James addressed his letter:

James 1:1 "... to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting."

"This phrase recalled the scattering of the Jewish nation first in 722 B.C. when the Northern kingdom of Israel fell to the Assyrian empire and finally in 586 B.C. when the Southern kingdom of Judah fell to the marauding Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar. However, James had a still more narrow focus. Apparently James had in mind the "Christian" Jews of the dispersion. This may be conjectured from James' identification of himself (James 1:1 ) as servant of Jesus Christ as well as from references like "the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ" (James 2:1 )." Holman Bible Dictionary

All those of the dispersion were represented in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:8-11 ). Many returned to the land from which they came. James' letter would have special appeal to them. They would be appreciative of the pastoral care James exercised toward them. "Scattered" they were, but very much in the heart and mind of the Jerusalem leader. The saying, "Out of sight - out of mind" was not so in their case. Nor were the scattered believers of Acts 8:1,11 forgotten or forsaken. The dispersion caused by a great persecution of the Jerusalem Church would be Christians, mostly of Jewish nationality. They went to the regions of Judea, Samaria, Phoenicia, Cyprus, Antioch (Acts 8:1; 11:19 ), and limited their preaching to the Jews only. They would be encouraged, strengthened and no doubt challenged by receiving James' letter.

Seasoned and responsible leadership today can learn from the example of James, and ensure that their attention to the local fellowship does not become so inclusive that the translocal fellowship is neglected or forgotten. They should be faithful to their commitment to those who have gone from them to other fields of labour for the Lord. James further expresses his feelings towards his scattered fellow Christians, to be that of genuine warmth, by using the Greek word 'chairo' "greeting". He did not intend the word to be a formal opening, as greetings may be used today. His loving heart wishes them joy in an environment of adversity. "Chairo" means to rejoice, and is related to 'charis' grace. James wanted for these early, tried believers a rejoicing that flowed out of God's grace - through grace that they rejoice in victory and vibrant health, and rejoice as the Lord's valued, thriving people.

A cold professionalism should be alien to those whose hearts burn with the fervent love of their commissioning Lord. James lived to do the will of his Lord. In writing he was consumed with the thoughts of God, expressed in becoming a penman for God. We rightly conclude that James wrote in these practical themes God's thoughts for us. Our response should be to actively prioritise God's will in our lives.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. From James' example what would you rate as the highest service, and what would motivate your involvement in it? (James 1:1 ).
2. What were the boundaries of James' commission? How do you see yours? (James 1:1 ).