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2. The Holy Spirit according to the Epistle of James

(written between 44 and 49 A.D.)

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James 4:4-6
4 ...Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? 6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (Proverbs 3:34)

James was, beside Peter, one of the pillars of the early church. He remained sceptical toward all theoretical faith that was not realized in life (James 2:14). Especially where quarrel, hatred and arrogance prevail, all prayer and faith avail for nothing (James 4:1-3). Whoever attempted to work closely together with believers and unbelievers was, for James, an apostate. Friendship with the world was enmity toward God, he wrote. The LORD Himself jealously watches over the Holy Spirit, whom He gave to indwell the followers of Christ. He tolerates no culturally-confused society and expects from every Christian voluntary submission under His graceful, fatherly hand. Whoever, whether through pride or conceit, intends to become successful will be shattered by the holiness of God.

James was stoned in 62 A.D. by fanatical Jews following the Apostolic Council in Jerusalem. His corpse was thrown over the temple wall to be devoured by dogs.

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