True Essence of Christianity

As outlined in the Amplified Bible - The Book of James Chapter 1:1-27

I. The Essence of True Religion

Read the paragraph above the outline Photo taken by G.Smith

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered abroad [among the Gentiles in the dispersion]: Greetings (rejoice)! 2 Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. 3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. 4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing. 5 If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. 6 Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. 7 For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord, 8 [For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides]. 9 Let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his elevation [as a Christian, called to the true riches and to be an heir of God], 10 And the rich [person ought to glory] in being humbled [by being shown his human frailty], because like the flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun comes up with a scorching heat and parches the grass; its flower falls off and its beauty fades away. Even so will the rich man wither and die in the midst of his pursuits. 12 Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor’s] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted from God; for God is incapable of being tempted by [what is] evil and He Himself tempts no one. 14 But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions). 15 Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death. 16 Do not be misled, my beloved brethren. Photo taken by G.Smith 17 Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse]. 18 And it was of His own [free] will that He gave us birth [as sons] by [His] Word of Truth, so that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures [a sample of what He created to be consecrated to Himself]. 19 Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry. 20 For man’s anger does not promote the righteousness God [wishes and requires]. 21 So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth]. 23 For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror; 24 For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like. 25 But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience). 26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious (piously observant of the external duties of his faith) and does not bridle his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person’s religious service is worthless (futile, barren). 27 External religious worship [religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.

What a powerful and impacting chapter “The Essence (nature) of True Religion”; because it outlines the “true” Christian character and actions by doing these simple things: loving, enduring, listening, and obeying!

Photo by Heather Smith -My Granddog Boots!

We make it difficult, because of our resistance to behavior that is or rather produces great outcomes!

Dogs, when asked to do something, they do it because they want to please us. When they do not, we become frustrated and characterize the dog as stubborn and disobedient. No we are not dogs, we are humans who reject God's Word and are disobedient as well that brings about difficulties in our lives. 

It's a spiritual battle we war against internally. Emotions should “never” get in the way of anything asked of God. Why? Because God would NEVER ask of you to do anything He has not equipped you to do; in addition, He is within, beside, and around you to perform the desired duty asked with power (wisdom) and truth (Love)! Never without a doubt it will produce “good things”!

Biblical Definitions

Dispersion- the action or process of distributing things and people over a wide area

Endurance – the fact of power of enduring an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way – a marathon runners endurance. Stressful effort

Steadfastness- firmly fixed in place, firm in belief, determination, or adherence: Loyal

Patience – a person's ability to wait something out or endure something tedious without getting riled up! To remain calm, even when you've been waiting forever or dealing with something painstakingly slow

Joy - is a product of Christ-likeness. When we seek God through His word and prayer, we will receive joy! It is the second fruit of the Spirit!

Reproach – address (someone) in such a way as to express disapproval or disappointment.

Variation – a change or difference in condition, amount, or level, typically with certain limits.

Shadow Cast – a dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and surface

Reason - Hebrew word is yakah- to argue, plead, contend or reason all with the purpose of showing how someone is wrong in their thinking and should change their mind

Obedient – Hebrew word is Sheme (pronounced “Shmah”) - to hear and obey or hear and act or do what is asked.

**Note: The definitions are defined through biblical meaning, and some are the root of the original Hebrew definitions.