One could probably title the Book of James: Time to Grow Up! Spiritual maturity is probably one of the greatest needs in the Church today. As Warren Wiersbe says, “Too many churches are playpens for babies instead of workshops for adults.”
Verse 1 > This James is the half-brother of Jesus. He should know about spiritual maturity because even though he grew up with Jesus physically he really didn’t believe that Jesus was the son of God until after Jesus’ resurrection.
Mark 3:31–35 (NLT) — 31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them. 32 There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.” 33 Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 34 Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. 35 Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
1 Corinthians 15:7 (NLT) — 7 Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles.
Once he did believer he was more than all talk he was all in! He became the leader of the Jerusalem church. He held the church together in spite of major persecution by the Jewish people who did not believe in Jesus and the Romans. Plus the new church was transitioning from the temple with its priests and sacrifices as the way to have right standing with God to believing that belief in Jesus’ one time sacrifice was sufficient for right standing with God. This guy had an extremely tough job. They said that he prayed so much kneeling on his knees that they became as hard as a camel’s knees. In fact his nick name was “Camel knees”! James was a humble man. He didn’t identify himself as the brother of Jesus he simply said that he was a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is all the recognition James needed; unlike some who need to be recognized for everything they do or they pout. They claim to be servants but than when they are treated like a servants they grumble and complain.
Verses 19-25 > As I let the word of God find a home in my heart and as I begin to obey that word; I find out that the power in that word causes be to listen more than talk and it calms me down where I tended to get angry and upset. The word also makes me realize that anger never led to righteousness and it certainly didn’t please the Lord.
Psalm 119:11 (NLT) — 11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
John 17:17 (NLT) — 17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.
When James talks about looking into the perfect law I believe he means the 2 greatest commandments as stated by Jesus and lived out by Jesus. If you love God and love man you are living the perfect law.