Episode 146 - "Endure trials, resist temptation!" - James 1:12-15

James 1:12   Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Let’s begin this study with a look at verse 12. Clearly, this verse continues with the theme of “trials.” James began in verses 2-5 with the instruction that the purpose of trials is to test our faith. The testing of our faith is to produce steadfastness, with the ultimate purpose of God perfecting our character for His purposes. In short, God’s purpose in allowing us to experience trials is in our best interest. 

James tells us in verse 12 that the person who “remains steadfast under trial” is blessed. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the church of Ephesus, writes that God is “blessed.” It seems that if James' understanding and use of the word “blessed” are the same as Paul’s, James is suggesting that the person who has remained steadfast under trial is demonstrating that God is actively working in that person’s life. The blessed God is conforming this steadfast believer’s life to reflect God’s character. That would be consistent with the idea that God used these trials to make us complete. Furthermore, when the believer has withstood the test, “he will receive the crown of life.” (v. 12) What does this mean? The imagery of a crown in this time and culture likely refers to a victor’s crown, a symbol of accomplishment. It might be easy to interpret this simply as receiving eternal life. However, since this is speaking of believers who have already received eternal life, it would seem that this is a reward from God beyond the gift of eternal life. Regardless of the specifics, it is a commendation by God upon the believer for withstanding the trial. 

In verse 13, the topic shifts to that of temptation. This seems like a natural and important qualification by James because it’s during trials that we may be tempted to sin. For instance, under difficult circumstances, someone may want to curse God. When God allowed Job to be tested by the devil, Job’s wife encouraged Job to “curse God and die.” (Job 2:9) Job’s response to her was, “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:10) Job understood that it was God’s sovereign right to allow him to experience “evil” or trials in life as much as it was to give him the many blessings Job and his wife had received.

James has already established that God’s purpose in allowing us to experience trials in life is always for our good. Therefore, when he says, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one” (v. 13), James is clarifying that God never is seeking to make people sin. God is not sadistic. 

James continues by explaining that temptation comes when a person is “lured and enticed by their own desire.” (v. 14) This is the challenge we face in trials. Our flesh does not want to experience pain. Our pride does not want us to be humbled. Our pride and selfish desires provoke us to blame God when we should seek God’s help to endure the trials.

Notice how James draws a sharp contrast between trials and temptations in verse 15. Enduring trials results in a “crown of life.” Giving in to temptation results in death. 

Speaking about this last statement, I don’t believe James is suggesting that when a believer sins, they lose their salvation or eternal life. It was sin in the Garden of Eden that led to death. Obeying God leads to life. James’ point is to highlight the difference between enduring trials by trusting God rather than allowing temptation to arise within us and leading us to rebel and blame God.

Prayer: Lord, grant us strength and faith each day to trust that what you allow in our life is for our good. 

Episode 145 - "Glory in your cirumstances" - James 1:9-11

James 1:9   Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

Is it just me or does it seem like James has totally changed the subject? He started out by talking about trials, testing of faith, God’s plan to make us complete, asking for wisdom in faith, and not being double-minded. But, in verse 9 it would appear that he encourages the poor and the rich to “boast.” It certainly looks like he has changed his topic. But, if you take a look at verse 12, you’ll notice he is back on the topic of trials in one’s life. My point is to argue that we need to let the context of this letter dictate how we should interpret this Scripture. If James is speaking about trials in verse 2 and again in verse 12, it seems unlikely that he is thinking of something completely different in verses 9-11. So, what’s going on?

Let me begin by saying that I believe James is writing to Christians; both poor and rich. James specifically calls the “lowly” a “brother.” (v. 9) The words translated “lowly” and “rich” are both adjectives in the same gender, number, and case of the noun “brother.” It seems to me that James is talking to those he assumes are Christians. It’s important to note that he’s not passing judgment on the lowly or the rich. He is giving both groups of people instruction for wise living.

James tells the “lowly brother” to “boast in his exaltation.” On the surface that may seem to be contrary to the Scriptures that condemn arrogance, pride, and boasting. In fact, later in this letter, James will paraphrase Proverbs 3:34 which says, “Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.” (See James 4:6 ESV) Is James schizophrenic? Is he just forgetful or inconsistent in his theology? I don’t think so. Here’s what I think is going on.

The “lowly” or poor brother (or sister in Christ) will experience trials by virtue of his or her limited resources. The word that is translated as “boast” could also mean “glory.” So, interpreting this text in light of James' instruction to “count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds”(v. 2) means (in my opinion) that the trials associated with limited financial resources should be understood by the lowly brother as an opportunity that God will use it to strengthen his faith and conform him into the complete follower of Jesus. In a unique kind of way, God values this lowly (poor) person and is using these trials to exalt him or her in God’s estimation. This perspective might run directly against a perceptive that a poor or lowly person has been cursed or made low by God as evidenced by the lack of material resources. But, this is not true James tells us. Therefore, the lowly person should “glory” in what God is doing in their life through these trials. This is not arrogance. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. It’s an acknowledgment and acceptance that God is sovereign and is seeking to work good in our life through this kind of trial.

Conversely, the rich brother has trials of his own. How often do we think that having more money will solve our problems? But, that itself is a lie. Money may buy more comforts in life. But, it doesn’t prevent us from trials. James offers the illustration of the flower. It grows into a beautiful and glorious plant. But, the heat (trial) causes that glory to quickly fade. This is the case with all of our human efforts. They are only good for a short time. I think James is suggesting that the rich man who relies upon his wealth and human efforts is prone to be a double-minded person, one that can’t decide whether he wants to trust God or himself. James is telling this person to glory in the kinds of trials that come with having financial means. A modern example is when there is a decline in the stock market and one’s investments have now lost their value. James would say to that person, glory in the trial of that loss because God is going to use it for something great in your life if you will let Him.

In speaking to the lowly and rich persons alike, James is communicating that we cannot escape trials through our efforts and we should not assume that God favors one person over the next due to their financial and social status. Rather, God wants to use whatever difficult circumstances in our lives to make us complete according to His standard and not that of society. 

Prayer: Lord, help me give you thanks for all things and trust that you are using the various trials to help me see your love for me or my need for humility.

Episode 144 - Be confident in God - James 1:5-8

James 1:5   If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

We looked at verse 5 of James 1 last week. But, let’s recall the context once again because it is important for us to understand the message James wants to impart to his readers. James informs his readers that they will experience various trials and that God’s purpose in allowing the trials is to refine us and make us complete in the eyes of God. 

James follows with the encouragement to ask for wisdom from God. That makes sense. God’s wisdom can help us navigate these trials and to know how to respond to these trials. He assures his readers that God wants to give wisdom to everyone who asks. 

In verse 6 however, we discover there is a condition on which the granting of this request is dependent. That condition is that the requestor must ask God “in faith, with no doubting.” What does that mean? Does it mean that if I can convince myself that God will give me a fancy car or home if I just ask confidently enough, He will do it? If we examine the nature of faith throughout the Scriptures, we find that faith is neither “blind” nor “wishful thinking.” Faith is trusting that God will fulfill promises that He explicitly makes. It also means that God acts according to His character. Beginning in Genesis 12, God made a promise to Abraham for numerous descendants and land. In Genesis 15, God made this a covenant promise to Abraham. At the same time, God revealed these descendants of Abraham would be captive in a foreign land for 400 years. Yet, God promised that He would not forget His covenant with Abraham and would deliver these people back to the land He promised to Abraham and his descendants. Abraham believed God. God always demonstrated that He was faithful to what He promised. James is saying that we must respond to God’s promises and character in the same way. The Scriptures reveal that asking for wisdom from God is a good thing. Solomon, upon becoming King of Israel, asked the LORD for wisdom and the LORD was pleased to grant it to him. (1 Kings 3:5-9) The proverbs speak of the value of gaining wisdom. This is why James can confidently assert that anyone who asks God for wisdom, it will be granted to him or her. But, one must believe that God can and will grant it. There is no such promise that God will grant us fancy cars or “stuff.” James has a few words later on about this kind of request as well. 

James explains that “the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” (v. 6) If you’ve even been in a boat on the water or perhaps on the shoreline of a body of water and watched something floating. It moves up and down and every which way with no certainty of where it will end up. We don’t want our life to be like that, do we? It is important to trust in God’s promises. 

In verse 7 we see that this condition is not just about asking for wisdom. James says that a person (who is doubting and unstable) “must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.” Faith is not only necessary for wisdom. Faith is to be a part of our everyday life. Getting into the Scriptures and seeking to understand God’s character and promises help us in our confidence in making our requests to God. It lends itself to gaining wisdom that God has revealed within those Scriptures.

It may seem a bit harsh that God requires us to have such strong confidence. Perhaps you don’t always feel so convinced that the Lord will answer your prayers. I know I haven’t always been that confident. I’m reminded of a story in Mark 9:14-29 about a father whose son was controlled by an evil spirit. Jesus’ disciples had not been able to cast out the spirit and the father asked Jesus, “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” (Mark 9:22) Does that sound like a man of faith? No way. Jesus calls him out on it. “If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” (Mark 9:23) The ESV translation has Jesus repeating the man’s words “If you can” but adds an exclamation mark. I suspect that should be a question mark in Jesus’ response. He’s pointing out the man’s doubt and inviting him to believe. I love the man’s response. He says, “I believe; help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24) He’s admitting to Jesus that his faith is weak,  but then uses that little bit of faith to request more. God will grant you faith as well! Isn’t that awesome? God says, “You need faith if you want me to give you what I’m offering to you. What’s that? You want faith? OK. Here you go?”

Prayer: Lord, grant us faith today. Help us grow in our confidence and trust in your word and your promises so that we can exercise that faith to ask you for what you want to give to us. We trust that all of this will lead to you making us complete. Amen!

Episode 143 - "Got wisdom?" James 1:5

James 1:5   If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Before I jump into this single verse, let’s remind ourselves of the context of this verse. From the opening verses that we covered last week, we see there is importance to God in followers of Jesus being made “complete.” There’s an underlying principle that even after we have come to faith in the good news of Jesus Christ, God still intends for us to grow into someone that He deems “complete.” The means by which this happens is God’s allowance of “trials of various kinds” (v. 2) in our lives. 

Trials of various kinds, James explains, test our faith. The question of this test is “Do we really trust God? Is this so-called faith genuine? A few weeks before my dad died of cancer, the young wife of my friend and mother of their infant child died of Leukemia. I had been begging God to at least spare her. But, God didn’t and I was very upset. It was a trial for me at that time and the test was for me to ask whether I believed that God was still perfectly good AND entirely powerful. Even though God did not spare either this young lady or my dad, I decided I needed to still believe that God didn’t let them die because He was either unable or unwilling. Even though I couldn’t understand why God would allow this, I needed my faith tested because God was using that trial to make me more into what He wanted me to be. As we will see, “faith” is an important concept that James wants his audience to grasp. James continued to explain that a tested faith produces steadfastness (endurance) and the steadfastness works to make us complete, “lacking nothing,” James says. (v. 4) 

In this episode, we pick up at verse 5 which begins, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God . . .” Why on earth does he suggest this and what does it have to do with faith and being made complete? First of all, the Bible has quite a bit to say about the value of wisdom. A young Solomon asked the Lord for wisdom to govern the people. (1 Kings 3:5-9) The Lord was pleased with this request and granted it. The book of Proverbs begins with the value of gaining wisdom.

 “Prov. 1:2 To know wisdom and instruction,

to understand words of insight,

3 to receive instruction in wise dealing,

in righteousness, justice, and equity;

4 to give prudence to the simple,

knowledge and discretion to the youth—

5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning,

and the one who understands obtain guidance,

6 to understand a proverb and a saying,

the words of the wise and their riddles.”

Among other things, wisdom helps us understand what is right, just, and equitable (v. 3) In short, it helps us make the best decisions when the trials come along. When emotions tend to grip us, wisdom should prevail to guide us in making the best decision for ourselves and others. 

James says to ask God for wisdom. God is the source of wisdom. There are people in the world who think they have wisdom and God has no part it in. In 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Paul says that God’s foolishness is wiser than the wisdom of men. The “cross” is God’s wisdom and it has the power to save mankind from their foolishness and the consequences of it. James continues by saying that God “gives (wisdom) generously to all (who ask for it) without reproach. This qualification “without reproach” is James’ way of saying that God earnestly wants to give you wisdom. He wants people to have the wisdom He alone can and will give. 

We need God’s wisdom to endure the trials that will come into our lives so that God can use them to make us complete.

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.

1. Trials can be of various kinds. This is not simply persecution for one’s faith.

2. Trials test our faith

3. The process of our faith being tested through the trials produces steadfastness or endurance.

4. 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.