Episode 142 - "Count it all joy . . ." - James 1:1-4
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
As we begin this new study in the book of James, I want to offer a few comments regarding the author of this book and the audience. According to verse one, the author is James, generally believed to be Jesus’ half-brother. If this is the case, this book reveals the transformation James encountered concerning Jesus. In John 7:5, John records that his brothers did not believe him (Jesus). But, Paul records in 1 Corinthians 15:7 that Jesus, after his resurrection from the dead, appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Luke records in Acts 1:14 that after Jesus’ ascension into heaven, the disciples devoted themselves to prayer “with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” It would seem obvious that Jesus' resurrection made a significant impact upon his brothers and now James becomes a leader within the early Church. Yet, this status does not go to his head. Rather than claiming to be someone special by virtue of his relationship with Jesus, he considers himself “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (James 1:1) In that identity is humility and devotion; a great example for us.
This book is addressed to “the twelve tribes in the Dispersion.” (v. 1b) What does that mean? Likely, it means one of two things. James might have intended for this book to go to Jews who were scattered abroad. Hundreds of years earlier the northern kingdom of Israel, comprised of ten of the twelve tribes of Israel, had been scattered by the Assyrians. Later, the tribes of the southern kingdom were deported to Babylon and Persia. There were people of Jewish heritage scattered around the known world at this time. The second option is that he’s using “twelve tribes” symbolically for Christians everywhere. The merit of the first option is that it’s a literal interpretation and makes sense for that reason alone. In other words, it is what it says it is. However, it seems difficult to accept that he only wants this to be read and understood by dispersed Jews who have placed their faith in Jesus. Does this not have any value for Jews in Jerusalem or Gentiles trusting in Jesus Christ?
I’m inclined to believe that James, a Jew himself, is addressing his Jewish brothers and sisters who have placed their faith in Jesus, but that it symbolically represents or includes everyone else of the same faith. Since the Jews had been a people chosen by God and through whom would the promised Messiah (Christ) would come, I think James is respecting that tradition and prophecy. However, the prophecy of the Son of Man in Daniel 7:13-14 reveals this eternal king would rule over every nation and language. By addressing this to the twelve tribes, he’s suggesting the reunification of Israel. There’s a “bigger picture” revealed in James' address. So, I take this to include everyone who has trusted Jesus as the Messiah.
Notice that this letter is not very personal. It’s didactic and James gets right to the point. He communicates that there is a God-appointed purpose for trials in life. Let’s summarize the process and the purpose.
Trials can be of various kinds. This is not simply persecution for one’s faith.
Trials test our faith
The process of our faith being tested through the trials produces steadfastness or endurance.
Gaining that endurance makes us “perfect” or “complete” lacking in nothing.
What does all this mean? I would explain it as follows:
The trials that come into our lives are not necessarily to be celebrated. However, God can use them for a good purpose. Romans 8:28 has a similar message, “We know that all things work together for good to those that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.” Neither Paul nor James are saying that all things are good. They are saying that God can and does use all things for a good purpose. We are not sinning by being grieved with trials in our lives. God is not expecting us to celebrate when we or someone we love is diagnosed with cancer.
These trials will test our faith. I remember when my dad realized the cancer he was fighting was going to be terminal and there was no medical cure for it. He could have abandoned his faith. He could have said, “If there were a loving God, He would not allow me to die from this cancer.” Instead, my dad “doubled-down” on his faith. I had never seen him so confident in God’s goodness and promises and bold about sharing that with others.
My dad’s faith was stretched and tested and it produced an endurance that sustained him during his fight with cancer. It wasn’t that he didn’t have faith before. He did. But, God wanted to bless him with developing that faith and to make him more “complete” as God views completeness. It was a gift to my dad, myself, and others.
You may have noticed that I skipped something. I skipped James' instruction to “Count it all joy . . . when you meet trials . . .” I intentionally left that for last. I wanted to communicate the importance that God is not expecting us to celebrate cancer, Alzheimer’s, car wrecks, financial hardships, or any other kinds of trials. But, when we consider what God can and will do through perseverance in faith, we can have joy knowing that God is with us. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
May the Lord sustain you in the trials you are experiencing and give you joy knowing that He is making you complete for His purposes and glory.