The Epistle of James — Keith Daniel

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James, the Brother of the Lord

There is in the Holy Bible a letter written by a man known to all the church and all generations simply as James. A profound letter that enriches the Bible to such a degree it is almost mind-boggling.

It is beyond comprehension. James. Of course, this man called James was known in the Bible and referred in the Bible as the brother of the Lord. He was a child of Joseph and Mary. After the amazing, amazing miracle, the miraculous birth of Christ through Mary, the fulfillment of the Old Testament, where God said in Isaiah 7, verse 14, hundreds of years before it took place, Behold a virgin, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel.

This word Immanuel is a Hebrew word that means literally God with us. God with us. Behold a virgin shall conceive, God says, and bear a son and shall call his name God. God with us. Great is the mystery of godliness.

God was manifested in the flesh. We read in Timothy, was manifested in the flesh. John 1, verse 1, in the beginning was the Word. Speaking of Jesus, in the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God.

The Word was God. And then down to verse 14, in the Word, the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. God dwelt among us. God with us. All this amazing, amazing, miraculous birth of God, born of the flesh, born into this world as a man through Mary.

She was a precious, precious soul. Don't doubt that. She was a precious, precious soul. But after this amazing birth of Christ, of God manifested in the flesh, God coming in the flesh. After this amazing miracle, Mary and Joseph had a normal relationship as any husband and wife.

And they had other children. And the Bible refers to these children as the brethren of Christ and the sisters of Christ, the brothers and sisters of Jesus. Children of Mary and Joseph. James was one. Joses, another.

James knew what it was to grow up in the home with God manifested in the flesh. He never knew it was his God. He thought it was his brother. But here was the only sinless life that ever lived. Can you imagine the awe, the reverence, the staggering conception of looking at this life that never, ever revealed anything but perfection?

Never revealed any sin in carnality or pride. Never failed once on any issue or concerning God's laws. Here was a perfectly sinless, spotless man of God who never committed a sin. And it was lived out in that home.

Can you imagine the reverence, the love that that home had to such a life? Can you imagine in your home, sir, what love you would have for such a life that you knew you didn't live? You couldn't live.

For no man but Christ was sinless. Sinless from birth to death. Oh, James was privileged and they knew it. Don't doubt it. Don't even believe to conceive that there's such a thing as they didn't realize there was something amazing in this life.

And the reverence shown by those children must have been amazing toward Jesus, who they thought was their brother. But then they reached the moment suddenly that James must have been staggered. I can only try and identify to what must have gone on in his mind and the brethren of Christ when suddenly this brother called Jesus, this brother suddenly started doing things that no man had ever in history done on earth.

Suddenly miracles were seen that have never ever been seen on humanity. Great miracles by Elijah, Elisha, yes. But no man had ever performed such miracles that stirred the crowds that within a short while the whole world was turned upside down in their staggered unbelief at what was going on in front of their eyes.

Thousands, the whole world almost came to a standstill as he walked. They knew something was here that had never been seen on earth, never even healed by God through a man. And James was there. Don't think he was out somewhere oblivious to what was going on.

James was staggered with all the brethren of Christ that what was being seen and witnessed and the thousands and the thousands and thousands just thronged, pushing, pressing to try and see, trying to reach and trying to find help and knowing that everyone that came he healed totally.

All the emotion, the stirring, the weeping, the wailing as this man suddenly was moving from town to town. But then he began to speak doctrines men had never ever understood from the Old Testament. He began to speak with such authority that God says never spake man like this.

No man in history ever spoke with such grace, with such anointing, with such power from God and authority. And enlightening the world through the Scriptures, bringing the full revelation of God back to man.

The full revelation given in glimpses through the Old Testament. Blasting, revealed in light, blazing light, that a light shone in darkness, God says. And James must have been stunned and wonder as the crowd just listened.

But, soon they became conscious that the leaders, the spiritual leaders of the land, well they became envious, the Bible says, and jealous for their ministry, their authority, the respect and the reverence they had never had from the people.

They were not named and singled out with reverence like this. This man shook the crowds, teaching them the things with such authority of God that they never knew such anointing, such understanding. And jealousies stirred up amongst the religious leaders.

Bitterness, hatred started coming. Bitterness, hatred toward this man doing such things and gripping the crowd in their thousands everywhere he went. The consciousness of that must have put fear into James' heart.

Because the religious leaders were feared. They were feared if you stepped out of line doctrinally. It was a terrible offense in that land. A terrible offense. And they were watching, eagerly waiting, hanging on his words to try and catch him out.

Doctrinally, to try and accuse him of something that would be blasphemy. And old James began to hear, clearly as everybody else, in no uncertain way, Christ began to teach that he was the Messiah. The Savior.

And saying things about the work of the Messiah that had never been grasped or understood to save men of sin. He began to make statements that implied that he was not only a Savior, a Messiah, but he was God.

In no uncertain way, it was coming through, it was God. The Son of God. He made statements to a close circle, but soon those statements were going broader and broader. Especially as he was addressing the hypocrisy of the Pharisees who challenged and undermined him.

And wanted to know where he gets his authority from. He made statements that became more and more clear that he that has seen me has seen the Father. I am the Father and one. I can do nothing without my Father.

I and he, we are one. These statements began to spread and have effect. And eventually, when he began to make them in the presence of the thousands and the Pharisees hanging on, looking in hatred, looking in envy, knowing the laws.

He knew something terrible is coming. The crowds knew something terrible is coming here. Suddenly it wasn't the miracles they were gripped at. It was the boldness of this man making statements that no man would get away with.

And they began to look uneasily at the Pharisees, at the religious leaders. As they heard Christ making these statements of him being the Messiah. And we read, his brethren believed not on him. James didn't believe it now.

No, no, this is not true. This is my brother. What is compelling him to make such statements? The fear that must have gripped us. But his brethren believed not on him from that point. His brethren believed not on him when these statements came out.

They were true in fear. What was he doing? What now was he saying? Well, it was moments. Suddenly these Pharisees were stirring up things. And Christ was taken. As he stood there in Jerusalem, it was obvious he was to be taken.

He was taken by these men, thrown before Herod, accused. Taken by Herod, fearful of what was happening. And thrown to Pilate. Pilate standing fearful of what was happening. Looking at what was going on at the religious leaders.

Crying out, he must die. He must die. Let his blood be bad on our children. But he dies. And this man, fearful of what was going on. Because he had never seen anything in his life. But he sensed something was happening here.

That was beyond his control. He washed his hands and set his bloods off my hands. You. It will be on you and your children. You are the ones that make it. Not me. Old James must have feared he was there.

He wasn't hidden in the hills. When suddenly, to the crowds appeared. His brother. Blashed. Whipped. Scourging. Robbed. With lashes interwoven. Little metal hooks that ripped the body apart. Do you know most people died at scourging.

They never made the cross. Did you know that? Scourging you never recovered from. Your body was ripped to the bones. Most died. He was unable to lift a cross. He was in such a state. That it ripped apart.

The blood pouring down him as these bones crushed into his head. Unable to carry a cross that another man had to take. And carry for him as he was just. Unable to even stand properly. Just staggering.

Dragging himself behind. Suddenly. These amazing big pegs smashed through his hands. Crushed through his feet. Hanging in agony. Crying out in pain. James was there. Don't believe he was hidden. Now he was there.

Mary was there. The brethren of Christ were there. There was tears. Oh, he must have been weeping. He must have been agonizing. Tormented. What was happening? How could this be happening? The darkness suddenly.

Covering the sky as the grief of God who couldn't behold. Who turned his face. And let him die. Darkness covered the world in God's grief. It so cost God that payment. For men's sins. And suddenly the death.

The body taken down. The crowds gone. The numbness in his mind. The confusion. And as he walked. He must have been weeping. And weeping. And weeping. And weeping. And weeping. But suddenly the news comes.

Mary. These two women. Have seen the Lord. I don't know what could have gone on in his heart. What are they saying? What are they saying? Suddenly others seeing him. Suddenly we read that. Hundreds saw him.

He appears to them. And the next thing we find. There was nothing written at the moment that. James was saved. Mightily believed. And accepted that this was not his brother. This was what who everybody says he is now.

Who always says he was. The God of mankind. The savior of all mankind. Who was taste death for every man. He suddenly points into the scripture. Isaiah 53. He listens. In wonder to risen Christ. Who he thought was dead.

Now he realizes that he looks. As he beheld him. As he weeps. Now not with fear. And torment with joy. Overwhelmed. Oh. The brethren of Christ came to Jesus now. They suddenly realized this is not their brother.

This was God. The memories of his life. The haunting memories of the perfection. That never sinned. Never in a word. That was unjust. Unkind. Never anything that wasn't utterly godly. Or perfect. Through this life.

Oh. Suddenly James. Never ever was to refer to him again. As his brother. The only reference he ever made. Concerning Jesus again. Till the day he died. Was he was my lord. And my god. And he died for him.

A martyr's death. A terrible death. Refusing to deny that Jesus was the Christ. He was thrown to his death. In the temple. Stoned. But now. Saved. Jesus ascends to heaven. And we find something staggering in the early church.

We find that James becomes the authority. Not Peter. The final word. Again and again. As it comes to controversies. To doctrinal issues. That had to be sorted out. To decisions. Again and again. On every controversy of any importance.

It was to James that they looked. The disciples. The apostles. Even Paul. The final word. James stands and addresses. It's the final word. Somehow. Written across him was this amazing reverence. Above Peter.

Above the apostles. Who walked with him. The other brother of Christ. Saved. There was something so godly about him. So holy. That everyone just lived in reverence of him. In his brokenness. In his faith.

In his zeal. Nothing would cost too much for this God. Now that he knew he was God. But then. Persecution came. Unbelievable persecution. Through men like Saul of Tarsus. Who was later to be born of God.

As he was kicking. Against the pricks. Fighting these people. People who believe. With the authority of the Pharisees. Of the religious leaders. Of the priests. Even of the high priests. That they should stomp.

The sack. That had risen in their. Amongst their beloved Judaistic belief. To stomp it out. Before it spreads any further. They're turning the world upside down. It's got to be stopped. And religious zealots.

Men who were zealous for God. In their hearts. Believed they were doing God's service. They tried to stomp it. Destroying. Stoning them. Standing by. Wanting them to be stoned. Encouraging the people.

With authority. To give right to stone them. Who embraced this doctrine. That Jesus was the Messiah. And so with this. All these first fruits. That stood when Peter. Stood and preached. And thousands were added to the church.

Thousands seeking God. All the Jews. Jews. The first fruits of the church. Not the Gentiles. The Gentiles. Were being reached here and there. Only with Paul. Only when all these men were. Just escalating in numbers.

From all over. They were turning the whole world upside down. By that time. Staggering. There was no way. But they were trying to stomp them out. But because of this terrible persecution. This terrible hatred.

And determination to get rid of them. To kill them. To destroy them. To wipe them out. They began to flee. And they fled. Taking with them the gospel. To all parts of the Roman Empire. And there they were in groups.

All over the then known world. Trying to start a new life. Having left home. And possessions. Just fled. Taking their children. Run. Escape. In the nights. Before we are killed. Before we are stoned. But now they lost the protection.

Of the apostles in Jerusalem. These Jews. And their thousands upon thousands. Upon thousands. Upon thousands. Upon thousands. Who were saved by the blood of Jesus. Now they are all over. But they have no protection doctrinally.

Decisions. They have no protection of the lives. And the prayers. And the guidance. And the nurturing. And the teachings. Of the men who walked with Jesus. Who were taught by Christ. Who listened. Who wrote as the Holy Ghost.

Reminded them of the words of Christ. They have no teachings now to embrace. By the very apostles themselves. They have lost the protection. And there the apostles still remain. In Jerusalem. But God takes hold of James.

God takes hold of James. By the Holy Ghost. This man of God was moved by the Holy Ghost. To take up a pen. To write what is known. What is considered amongst most theologians of the world. As the very first of all the epistles written.

To the church that is to be contained in the scriptures. By God as the Holy Writ of God. Suddenly James is moved by God. With such brokenness. That you seldom will see on the pages. Or anywhere else in the scriptures.

A brokenness. A compassion. You almost see the tears flowing as he writes. With the depth of what he is saying. The compassion. The care. The nurturing. The compassion to keep them pure. The ruthlessness with the statements.

Ruthless. To keep them from being perverted doctrinally. From compromise in any way. From diverting from the purity of the gospel. The purity of what God would have them doctrinally. In every issue of the faith.

And from ever giving up. Oh James now takes the pen. And in agony almost you could say. With such compassion and care. Having been the one they all look to. The father figures it were the Holy Ghost moves him.

And he writes this letter. Which he knew would be circulated throughout the Roman Empire. To where. All the churches were gathering. All these people of God. The Jews. The Jewish converts. The first fruits of the church.

Were all settled. He knew this letter would be read. And he had the longing and the guidance of the Holy Ghost. That this would be used to keep them. To keep them. To keep them. To keep them from the devil hurting them.

Or any compromise coming. And he addresses. His letter. From James. A servant of God. And of the Lord Jesus Christ. To the twelve tribes. Which are scattered abroad. Greeting. My brethren. My brethren count it all joy.

When you fall into diverse temptations. That word means trials. Sufferings. Count it all joy. When you fall into diverse temptations. Knowing this. That the trying of your faith. The trying of your faith.

Work of patience. But let patience. Have her perfect work. That ye may be perfect. And entire. One with one. Wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom. Let him ask of God. That giveth to all men. Liberally and abradeth not.

That it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith. Nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a waverless sea. Driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think. That he shall receive anything of the Lord.

A double minded man is unstable. In all his ways. Let the brother of Lord agree. Rejoice in that he is exalted. But the rich in that he is made low. Because of the flower of the grass. He shall pass away.

For the sun is no sooner risen. Than a burning heat. But it withereth the grass. And the flower thereof falleth. And the grace of the fashion of it perisheth. So also shall the rich man fade away. In his ways.

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation. For when he is tried. He shall receive the crown of life. Which the Lord hath promised. To them that love him. Let no man say. When he is tempted. I am tempted of God.

For God cannot be tempted with evil. Neither tempteth he any man. But every man is tempted. When he is drawn away. Of his own lust. And enticed. Then when lust hath conceived. It bringeth forth sin. And sin when it is finished.

Bringeth forth death. Beloved brethren. Do not err my beloved brethren. Every good gift. And every perfect gift. Is from above. And cometh down from the Father of lights. With whom is no variableness.

Neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us. With the word of truth. Of his own will. Gave he us birth. With the word. Being born again. By the word of God. Of his own will begat he us. Gave he us life.

Spiritual birth. Of his own will begat he us. With the word. Of truth. That we should be a kind of first fruits. Of his creatures. Wherefore my beloved brethren. Let every man be swift to hear. Swift to hear.

Slow to speak. Slow to wrath. For the wrath of man worketh. Not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart. All filthiness. And superfluity of naughtiness. And receive with meekness. The engrafted word.

Which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word. Not hearers only. Deceiving your own selves. But if any be a hearer of the word. And not a doer. He is likened to a man beholding. His natural face in a glass.

For he beholdeth himself. And goeth his way. And straightway forgetteth. What manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty. And continueth therein. He being not a forgetful hearer.

But a doer of the word. This man shall be blessed in his deed. If any man among you. Seem to be religious. And bridleth. Not his tongue. He can't control his tongue. But deceiveth his own heart. This man's religion is vain.

Pure religion. And undefiled before God. And the father is this. To visit the fatherless. And widows in their affliction. And to keep himself. Unspotted from the world. To keep himself. Unspotted. From the world.

Faith, Partiality, and Works

My brethren have not the faith. Of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord of glory. With respect of persons. For if there cometh to your assembly. A man with a gold ring. In goodly apparel. And there cometh also a poor man.

In vile raiment. And ye have respect to him. That weareth a gay clothing. And say unto him. Sit thou here in a good place. And say to the poor. Stand thou there. Sit here under my footstool. Are ye not then partial in yourselves.

Rich in faith. And heirs of the kingdom. Which he hath promised to them that love him. But ye have despised the poor. Ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you. And draw you before the judgment seats.

Do not they blaspheme. That worthy name by the which ye are called. If ye fulfill the royal law. According to the scripture. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Ye do well. But if ye have respect to persons.

Ye commit sin. And are convinced of the law's transgressions. For whoso shall keep the whole law. And yet offend in one point. He is guilty of all. For he that said do not commit adultery. Said oh so do not kill.

Now if thou commit no adultery. Yet if thou kill. Thou become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye. And so do as they that shall be judged. By the law of liberty. For he shall have no mercy. He shall have judgment without mercy.

That is so no mercy. And mercy rejoices against judgment. What of the prophet my brethren. Though a man say he has faith. And have not works. Can faith save him. If a brother or sister be naked. And destitute of daily food.

And one of you say unto them depart in peace. Be warmed and filled not with standing. Ye give them not those things. For it is an evil to the body. What of the prophet. Even so faith. If it hath not works is dead.

Being alone. Yea a man may say thou has faith. And I have works. Show me thy faith. Without thy works. And I will show thee my faith. By my works. Thou believest. That there is one God. Thou doest well the devils also believe.

And tremble. Willst thou know obeying man. That faith without works is dead. Was not Abraham our father. Justified by works. When he had offered Isaac his son. Upon the altar. Seest thou how faith wrought with his works.

And by works was faith made perfect. And the scripture was fulfilled. Which saith Abraham believed God. And it was imputed unto him for righteousness. And he was called the friend of God. Ye see then how that by faith a man is justified.

Not by works only. By works a man is justified. Not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works. When she had received the messengers. And had sent them out another way. For as the body without the spirit is dead.

The Tongue and the Wisdom from Above

So faith without works is dead also. As the body without the spirit is dead. So faith without works is dead also. My brethren. Be not many masters. The margin says teachers of the oracles of God. Teachers of the word of God.

John Calvin says self appointed preachers. Self constituted preachers. Never ordained by God. Never separated by God. Never anointed by God. Be not many masters. Knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

For in many things we offend all. If any man. Offend not in word. The same is a perfect man. If any man. Offend not in word. The same is a perfect man. Enable also the bridle to control the whole body.

Behold we put bits. In the horse's mouth that they may obey us. And we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships. Which though they be so great. And are driven of fierce winds. Yet are they turned about with a very small helm.

With a suit of the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a literal member. And boasts of great things. Behold our great a matter of little fire kindleth. And the tongue is a fire. A world of iniquity.

So is the tongue among our members. That it defileth the whole body. And set it on fire the course of nature. And it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beast and of birds and of serpents. And of things in the sea is tamed.

And has been tamed of mankind. And is an unruly evil. Full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God even the father. And therewith curse we men. Which are made up of the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing.

My brethren these things ought not so to be. Are the fountains sent forth of the same place. Sweet water and bitter. Can the fig tree my brethren bear olive berries. Either a vine figs. So can no fountain.

Both yield salt water and bitter. I confess. Who is a wise man. And endued with knowledge among you. Who is a wise man. And endued with knowledge among you. Let him so out of a good conversation. His works with meekness of wisdom.

But if ye have bitter envying and strife. In your hearts glory not. And lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above. But is earthly sensual devilish. Devilish. Where envying and strife is.

There is confusion. And every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above. Is first pure. Then peaceable. Gentle and easy to be entreated. Full of mercy and good fruits. Without partiality. And without hypocrisy.

Worldliness, Humility, and Drawing Near to God

And the fruit of righteousness. Is shown in peace. Of them that make peace. The fruit of righteousness. The fruit of righteousness. Is shown in peace. Of them that make peace. From whence come wars. And fightings among you.

Come they not hence even of your lust. That war in your members. Ye lust and have not. Ye kill and desire to have. And cannot obtain. Ye fight and war. Yet ye have not. Because ye ask not. Ye ask and receive not.

Because ye ask amiss. That ye may consume it upon your lusts. Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world. Is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scripture sayeth. In vain the spirit that dwelleth in us.

Lusteth to envy. But. But he giveth more grace. He giveth more grace. Wherefore he sayeth. God resisteth the proud. But giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil.

And leave from you. Draw nigh to God. And he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands. Ye sinners. And purify your hearts. Ye double minded. Be afflicted. And mourn. And weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning.

And your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves. Humble yourselves. In the sight of the Lord. And he. He shall lift you up. Speak not evil. One of another brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother. And judges his brother.

Speaketh evil of the law. And judges the law. But if thou judge the law. Thou art not a doer of the law. But a judge is one law giver. Who is able to save and to destroy. Who art thou that judgest another.

Boasting, Wealth, Patience, and Prayer

Go to now. Ye that say today or tomorrow. Know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time. And then banishes it away. For that ye ought to say.

If the Lord will. We shall live. And do this or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings. All such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good. And doeth it not. To him it is sin. To him that knoweth to do good.

And doeth it not. To him it is sin. Go to now ye rich men. Weep and howl for your miseries. That shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted. And your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered.

And the rust of them shall be a witness against you. And shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold the hire of the labourers. Who have reaped on your fields.

Which is of you kept back by fraud. Cryeth. Behold the Lord of Sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth. And been wanton. Ye have nourished your hearts. As in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned.

And killed the just. And he does not resist you. Be patient therefore brethren. Under the coming of the Lord. Behold the husband man. Waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth. And has long patience for it.

Until he receive the early and the latter rain. Be also patient. Establish your hearts. Establish your hearts. For the coming of the Lord draws nigh. Grudge not one against another brethren. Lest ye be condemned.

Behold the judge standeth before the door. Take my brethren the prophets. Who have spoken in the name of the Lord. For an example of suffering. Affliction. And of patience. Behold we count them happy.

Which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job. And have seen the end of the Lord. And of the very pitiful. And of tender mercy. But above all things my brethren. Swear not. Neither by heaven. Neither by the earth.

Neither by any other oath. But let your yea be yea. And your nay nay. Lest ye fall into condemnation. Is any among you afflicted? Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing song.

Is any sick among you? Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church. And let them pray over him. Anointing with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick.

And the Lord shall raise him up. And if ye have committed sins they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another. Pray one for another that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man.

Obeyed as much. Elias was a man. And he prayed earnestly. That it might not rain. And it rained not on the earth. By the space of three years. And six months. And he prayed again. And the heaven gave rain.

And the earth brought forth her fruit. Brethren. If any of you. Do err from the truth. And one convert him. Let him know. That he which converteth the sinner. From the error of his way. Shall save a soul.

From death. And shall hide a multitude of sins. This book of James. The epistle of James. Caused such controversy through. the Church's history, as seldom a book is ever done. It started to be such a controversy where blood flowed through this book, where Luther stood having believed we're saved by works, not by faith, and the Church of that time, the theology and the doctrine was works to make money, and Rome grew in wealth and wealth of people paid to get souls out of purgatory who died insane, paying wealth with the papacy's signature that that soul would be taken out of purgatory.

Luther looked at all these doctrines and men paying for their sins by works, by monies, by lashing themselves, by crawling upstairs until blood flowed down their legs, women, children, in hope that some works the Church inflicted on them that said God will receive this, the works will justify you.

Men were in agony trying to pay for justification through works, for forgiveness, for mercy from God, for dead even, through works, by payment. And Luther lashed himself in his ignorance, in his zeal for God, he stood hours lashing his back, lashing and lashing and weeping, believing that this doctrine would be true, but he found no peace for his heart.

And then Luther began to do something that staggered the powers of hell, and Satan trembled. Luther took this book and began to search, why is there no peace through the way the Church teaches me? I get in more torment as I try all their methods.

There is no peace with God, just more shame and hopelessness. He began to search in his learning and the right to take over the Scriptures, being a priest he suddenly began to come across Scriptures that he marked and wrote and compared Scriptures and eventually he came to realize it is by grace you are saved through faith, not of works.

It is the gift of God. Luther went on and at some amazing point suddenly, as he compared Scripture with Scripture, to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted to him for righteousness, not only mine own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith, being justified freely by faith in his blood.