James Book III: Chapter 4-5: Volume 22 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes, An Exposition of the Scriptures for Disciples and Young Christians

The "Heavenly Citizens" series serves as a tool to help the Christian understand not only what the Bible teaches us, but also how to study the Bible. Explaining what the Bible teaches is like giving someone a fish to eat. Teaching him how to study the Bible is like teaching someone how to fish so he can feed himself. Both approaches are essential to developing spiritual maturity."James" is the twenty-second volume in the "Heavenly Citizens" series. Pastor James begins by making an observation to be seen on any day, in any age, in the life of any believer. The issue is "suffering" and the right worldview to take toward it.From there Pastor James rattles off several areas of "testing" (aka "temptation"), taking the time to delve into each one and the believer's appropriate response to it. Brother James does this in the context of his readers at the time and the specific tests they were encountering, but the application of what he teaches is still just as current for every believer today. These are practical, everyday situations. One believer will experience one or more of these "tests", another believer a different one or more...but all of us will experience them. So you won't want to miss out on the provisions which our Savior and King, Jesus, provides us in overcoming them.Unlike the writings of the Apostle Paul, Pastor James doesn't include an opening section of doctrine followed by a practical application section. James simply states the issue, viz., testing or temptations in the lives of the believers, then charges right into the fray to tackle each one. All of James is practical application.The approach for "James", and for every volume in the "Heavenly Citizens" series, is to teach the student the meaning of Scripture. We also teach him or her how to study the Bible on his/her own. We do this in two ways: we provide a few rules by which to govern our Bible study, and we demonstrate by example how to study the Bible. Experience is an outstanding teacher. In our books we put into practice the rules for Bible study. By walking through the Bible with us, the reader experiences firsthand what our method of study is like.We believe the student will come out of our studies with both an understanding of the Bible and the ability to truthfully understand the Bible on his/her own. The path lies before you. Walk through the gate and join the journey with us! And may the blessings of the Lord Jesus Christ be yours in abundance.