A Believing Behaving Faith: A Practical Commentary On James

By Dr. John Thomas Wylie

This publication, "A Believing Behaving Faith," is but one in a series of biblical expositions not intended to be an exhaustive study but rather a simple biblical approach that is a practical commentary and reader friendly in content. This is a work that would certainly be appreciated by many clergy and laity alike. The purpose of any exposition

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stratton Press
• Release date: Aug 27, 2021
• ISBN: 9781648955150

Dr. John Thomas Wylie

The Reverend Dr. John Thomas Wylie is one who has dedicated his life to the work of God's Service, the service of others; and being a powerful witness for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Dr. Wylie was called to Gospel Ministry June 1979, whereby in that same year he entered the American Baptist College of the American Baptist Theological Seminary, Nashville, Tennessee. As a young Seminarian he read every book available to him that would help him better his understanding of God as well as God's plan of Salvation and the Christian Faith.  He made a commitment as a promising student that he would inspire others as God inspires him.  He understood early in his ministry that we live in times where people not only question who God is, but whether the miracles were and are real, and who the enemy is or if such an enemy exists. Dr. Wylie carried out his commitment to God, which has been one of excellence and earning his Bachelors of Arts in Bible and Theology, along with Pastoral Studies.  Faithful and obedient, with a believing - believing faith unto God's call he continued to matriculate from Emmanuel Bible College, Nashville, Tennessee and Emmanuel Bible College, Rossville, Georgia.  Still inspired to please the Lord and do that which is well-pleasing in the Lord's sight, Dr. Wylie in 2006 completed his Masters of Education with a concentration in instructional Technology from The American Intercontinental University, Holloman Estates, Illinois.  Continuing his graduate education, he completed his Education Specialist Degree (Ed.S).  With a great zeal for education as well as ministry he pursued and further his education and received his Doctorate of Theology degree from The Holy Trinity College and Seminary, St. Petersburg, Florida.Dr., Wylie has served in the capacity of pastor of two congregations in Middle and Southern Tennessee, as well as an Evangelist, Preacher, Chaplain., Christian Educator, and a Published Author of several inspiring Christian publications of which the first caught the attention of The Atlanta Journal Constitution Newspaper. A Believing-Behaving Faith: a practical commentary on the Epistle of James) is an exceptional work from an inspiring man, who serves as associate minister of the Salem Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Reverend Doctor Richard B. Haynes, Senior Pastor, Lilburn, Georgia.

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Preface

True Christian living can never be experienced or fulfilled in one’s life apart from the Gospel of Christ. Certainly, while it is true that Christians are believers in Christ Jesus (heirs of His salvation), we must do more than just believe. If our faith is to believe Jesus Christ, then our faith ought to be faith that responds, lives out, follows His example, or is more clearly put practiced in how we live daily in Christ.

Jesus Christ will, who we not only believe the Word but also live the Word, which simply means, be doers of the Word and not believers only. One may even preach the Gospel, but the greatest sermon is one who is lived. If the world is to see Christ in us, we must practice the Christian faith (live out faith, be doers of the Word as well as believe the Word). For faith without work is dead.

The power of God helps us live a Christ centered life. A godly faith is a faith lived, a faith in action and is lived consistent with true faith not intellectual faith but saving faith.

As Christians, we are born of the Word, nurture on the Word, and have become strong believers in Christ with an unshakeable, steadfast faith. Like the Apostle Paul, we can say, I have kept the faith… We say we believe, but yet how have we behaved?

James makes it clear that believing in Christ is good (faith in Christ), but action (to behave) is also necessary, which is essential to the Christian faith. Truly, if one professes his belief in Christ, making one’s claim to salvation should not also one behave as a child of God. That is, obedience to Christ!

A true life in Christ Jesus is not just believing the Word but allowing the Word to live in us, reflecting in us a life that knows how to behave, a life of true holiness. A life that yields itself to the hand (will) of Christ and is, thus, evident in our daily living for Christ.

In this publication, James has much to contribute concerning Christian ethics. Again and without doubt, we should be hearers of the Word. We receive the Word but not as believers only but as doers also of the Word. Not just as believers of the faith but as doers of the faith in our daily walk with Christ. If we truly believe the Word of God, then we ought to live a life true and obedient to the Word of God, a life acceptable and holy unto God, which is our reasonable service and a living sacrifice.

A faith lacking in obedience to the will of God is not faith at all. God expects us to render more to Him than just lip service and certainly more than belief (intellectual belief).

The devils believe and know He is who He is, but the devils are not salvable and are in constant rebellion against the will of God.

True believers worship God of our salvation and, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, strive daily to live Christlike.

We cannot be hearers of the Word only but because we also love the Lord Jesus; we become what He will have us to become: Christlike, doers of the Word, who practice the faith and live out the faith we practice in true holiness. One has much spiritual worth to gain when life reflects faith, belief, and practice, expressing Christlikeness. A life which actions say, Lord, I want to live for Thee every day and every hour. A life of faith finds favor with the Lord.

It is James who shows us a life that possesses a belief in Jesus Christ, who is a life who knows how to behave (a life consistent with the living Word). If we then truly believe in the Lord Jesus, our response should be a life of faith in action.

A faith in action produces a life that pleases God. Thus, we are not believers only but doers of faith, doers of The Word. Simply put, To believe is to behave. In this way, the world can truly see our love toward God and man.

Hearing God is more than just believing. It is behaving (obedience). It is doing what Christ would have us to do according to His Word. Thus, a believing, behaving faith are two main essentials in the lives of the servants of God, which is a high honor to be a servant of the one true and living God. Nothing greater could possibly be bestowed upon humankind than to be blessed of God through Jesus Christ.

In hearing the Gospel of Christ, we believe; and in obedience to Christ, we behave. The Christian faith is not merely believing only. True Christian faith is not shown in what one says but in what one does for the Lord affirming the belief in how one lives for Christ. It is good to believe in faith. It is good to talk about one’s faith because the just shall live by faith.

However, to claim saving faith without obedient love is to deceive oneself. James reiterates, Faith without works is dead. Works are the things we do for Christ, which reveals a believing, behaving faith.

Someone has asked, What good will it do a person to know what is right but does it not?

The same principle may be applied to a believing, behaving faith principle. A believing faith without behaving faith is like having a road map and going nowhere.

James does not disregard the believing application of faith or the believing side of the Gospel; however, his main interest is the practical application of faith or the behaving side.

James speaks out against an intellectual belief and not a saving faith that is essential to the Christian life. He denounces a spurious faith, which does not produce works.

—Rev. Dr. John Thomas Wylie

James Chapter 1

A Guide: Christian Personal Ethics

The book of James, although an epistle, can rightly be termed, a guide for Christian personal ethics, in that it is a practical and a spiritual guide for living the Christian life and points the believer toward living (being doers) Christlike in attitude, character, conduct in life (Christian personal ethics). Many people are geared up on long doctrinal conformities and are lacking ethical consistency. Just as Hebrews presents doctrine, James presents deeds. Both doctrine and deeds come together in vital Christianity.

In light of living the Christian life, faith and experience are of the utmost key importance. However, Faith and experience have very little value unless they lead to a consistent Christian life (W. T. Purkiser 1974). At the end of the day, people