Truth Baptist Church
James 1

      • James 1:12ESV

  • Holy, Holy, Holy
  • Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me
  • Enough
  • Goodness Of God
  • It Is Well With My Soul

  • Faith That Endures

    James 1:1-18
    Encourage people to come on Wednesday evening. Moldova trip: Encourage prayers, giving, etc.
    Martin Luther called James the “Epistle of Straw”. But, is it really? This letter helps us answer the question: What is authentic faith? James paints a good picture of what authentic faith looks like.
    James is probably one of the earliest of the NT writings (a.d. 40–50), believed to have been written by Jesus’ brother James. The letter is not like the other letters in the NT. It is really a collection of wisdom sayings, much like the wisdom literature in the OT. For that reason, James is often called the “Proverbs of the New Testament,” as it practically reminds Christians how to live. The letter focuses on the behavior faithful Christians should have. It contains the highest frequency of commands of any book in the NT using 50 commands in 108 verses. This shows the practical bent of the letter where James calls us to action rather than mere belief. If there is a main verse to the letter is would probably be James 1:22 - “Be doers of the Word and not hearers only”.
    Introduction
    While James was the brother of Jesus, notice how he opens this letter.
    James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.
    James described himself as “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”. James seems to communicate the authoritative and representative nature he had as God’s spokesman. But, perhaps more importantly, James intended to show the Lord’s complete ownership of and authority over himself. Jesus is Lord!
    James is one of a few New Testament letters not written to a specific congregation. He wrote “to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion”, reminding Jewish Christians of their spiritual heritage as the people of God, gathered by Jesus. The tribes of Israel had been scattered throughout the world since the Babylonian Exile and they looked forward to being fully regathered as God’s people. While the Exile was over, they hoped for a greater national restoration and a decisive divine intervention against their enemies.
    The Church at this time was also dispersed following the persecution of Stephen (Acts 8:1). The Church is dispersed (away from its heavenly homeland) and oppressed on this earth. This is true for all Christians at any time. This world is not our home. We are all sojourners waiting for King Jesus to bring us home. While we are traveling through this foreign land, we must live faithfully for our Lord and Savior. To the dispersed Christians James wrote about living faithfully for Jesus.
    The letter begins with the testing of faith and it ends with the prayer of faith. Faith is mentioned throughout the letter.
    Faith Endures Challenges (vv. 2-4, 12)
    What do you think or do when you face challenges in life? It could be financial trouble. It could be health issues. It could be conflict with someone else. How do you handle those issues? Do you respond to those situations with joy? Maybe you should.
    James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
    The first command of the letter is found here in verse two. James told the Church to “count is all joy…when you meet trials of various kinds.” We can have joy even in the midst of unpleasant circumstances. This may seem odd as many of us would rarely consider trouble as something that is joyous. James was not saying that the trial itself was joyful, but rather the occasion of the trial is a matter of rejoicing. Why?
    James 1:3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
    Trials could be any difficulties we face in this fallen world which can cause us great anxiety. But the restlessness of our hearts can be calmed by the reassuring knowledge (“you know”; v. 3) that God is using our situation to refine our faith and produce “steadfastness”. What others mean for evil, God will work for good (Genesis 50:20). A diamond is created under intense heat and pressure. We want our faith to be strong as diamond, not soft as clay.
    James 1:4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
    Testing strengthens us. It makes us better. Therefore, when trials occur, we should count it all joy—not meaning worldly, temporal happiness, but rather spiritual, enduring, “complete joy” in the Lord who is sovereign over all things, including our troubles. The result is steadfastness, a life of faithful endurance amid troubles and afflictions. We will grow in holiness as we endure the trials in this life, and we will be blessed.
    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.
    Remaining steadfast while enduring trouble leads to blessedness and joy. Being blessed means a person is living in such a way as to enjoy God’s favorable approval. Steadfast is persevering, enduring, sticking to something. Steadfast believers will receive the “crown of life”, which is not a ruler’s crown but like a laurel wreath given to winners in athletic games. As a runner pushes on in a race to receive the award, we push through various trials to receive our reward. We do not give up.
    We should note that the crown of life is set before us as a motivation for endurance, but it is not promised on the basis of performance but on relationship (i.e., “to those who love him”). It is not the “strength” we have, but our love for God. True love demonstrates itself in behavior. We are blessed to know that whatever troubles we face in this life, they do not compare to the promises of God in eternity.
    Faith Seeks Wisdom (vv. 5-11)
    How can we faithfully endure the challenges of life when it does not make sense to us? We may not understand what is happening to us. James exhorted his readers to take a divine perspective on trials, to see it through God’s eyes. To hold such a perspective on trials requires wisdom. In verse four, James mentioned about being “complete, lacking in nothing”. But, what if you lack wisdom to understand what is happening to you? What should you do? You should ask for wisdom.
    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.
    Wisdom is needed to view trials from God’s perspective. None of us are complete. Therefore, wisdom is required because we do not always know how to rejoice in our circumstances. We do not always know how to persevere the trials of life. We need God’s perspective, God’s wisdom, to help us navigate the journey of faith. Thus, we need to go to the Source of all wisdom when we encounter trials.
    [SLIDE]
    Proverbs 2:6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
    God gives generously. Our Heavenly Father does not want us to hesitate to come to Him. The Greek word translated “generously” can also mean “unwaveringly” or “without hesitation.” As opposed to the the fickle human who is like a “wave of the sea” (v. 6), God is unwaveringly generous. God’s wants His people to be wise. As we become aware of a lack of wisdom (especially the wisdom to view trials rightly), we should go to God and expect our prayer to be answered from the Giver of wisdom.
    But the promise of giving wisdom to the one who asks comes with a qualification. The one who asks for wisdom must do it with the faith of expecting God to answer. This is faith in action. We realize our need. We go to God who supplies that need. We should expect Him to answer.
    James 1:6 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.
    Faith is needed to know God. Faith is needed to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Faith is also needed to ask God for wisdom (v. 6). When Jesus’ disciples asked Him why they could not cast out an evil spirit, Jesus responded, “Because of your little faith”. We are to approach God trustingly—knowing He is powerful, good, and loves us. The one who doubts is double-minded, unstable, and erratic as a choppy wave in the storm-tossed sea. Doubting is wavering between trusting God and trusting the world or our own natural abilities. A person who doubts God’s character should not think that he will receive anything from God, since he is unsure whether God is good or will do good.
    One of the commonly experienced trials for which wisdom is needed is wealth.
    James 1:9–10 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.
    Both poverty and riches bring enormous pressure on a person to focus on the world rather than on Christ. Both poverty and riches can tempt us to turn away from trusting God. James called on the “lowly” or poor Christian brother to find a divine perspective on his trial. Indeed, he is to “boast” or rejoice in his “exaltation” (James 1:9). James here could mean that the lowly brother should exult in his current high status of being, by faith, seated with Christ in heavenly places, or anticipating the ultimate status of the lowly brother in his final, glorified state, free from all want or pain.
    The “rich” person should also see his current temporary status from God’s perspective. Only with divine wisdom can we truly have God’s perspective on the temporary nature of riches and store up for ourselves real treasure in heaven (Mark 10:21). Wealth is temporary and it brings no advantage before God. James seems to echo Jesus’ warning that “You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24). James seems to be saying that the challenges of poverty and wealth may be one of the greatest “trials” for Christians that test the faith of people.
    Faith Resists Temptation (vv. 13-15)
    What if the things you experience are really temptations? It may be helpful to distinguish between trials and temptations. They are not the same, although the words are similar.
    Trials can strengthen our faith.
    Temptations can lead us to sin.
    Every thing we experience can be a potential temptation. For instance, when I face a difficult situation or some unpleasant circumstance, will I sin by lashing out in anger or will I choose to trust God? Will I blame others for something that may be my own fault? Temptations can be things that without the proper boundaries will lead to sin. James reveals that while God allows trials to strengthen our faith, God does not tempt us to sin.
    James 1:13 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.”
    The passage says “when he is tempted”, therefore we should assume that we will face temptations. However, when temptations arise, we should not say that they happen because God wants us to be tempted. God tests His people (e.g., Abraham, Israel, Hezekiah) to strengthen their character, but God never lures people into sin. God is always good, so He would never entice us to sin (which He hates) or seek to harm our faith (which He requires). Therefore, instead of blaming God for the enticement to sin, we need to look no further than our own deceptive hearts. James described our deceitful hearts as evil desire that leads us to temptation.
    James 1:14–15 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.
    James described the origin of temptation as our own “desire”. This is the sinful inclinations of one’s fallen human nature, left unchecked. We are our own cause of temptation, not something outside us, devil or human. We cannot say, “The Devil made me do it.” This is not to say that Satan is not involved in the temptations of the world. Even Jesus was tempted by Satan. In fact, Satan is the “adversary” who “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). But, James was revealing the role of our own desires in the temptations to sin.
    James used a fishing metaphor to describe the process of temptation. It is like drawing prey away from shelter in order to trap them with a deadly hook. Our indwelling evil desire is both trapping (“luring”) and sinfully tantalizing (“enticing”). A person’s evil desire ensnares him and lures him to take some sinful action. What we most desire entices us to act. So, when someone tells you to “follow your passion”, that is not always good advice when that passion is an inclination of one’s fallen human nature. As your desire runs unchecked, it “gives birth to sin.”
    So, what can we do to resist our own desires? How can we change the wrong desires to the right desires? Instead of seeking a scapegoat for our own attractions to sin, Faithful followers of Jesus should humbly resist the sinful inclinations within themselves by pursuing repentance from sin and faith in God’s empowering presence. Faith resists temptations and thinks on what is good.
    [SLIDE]
    Romans 8:6–8 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
    Therefore, set your mind on heavenly things. This is an act of will. Give your mind positive things to think about that will influence your desires. Fill yourself with God’s Word (Colossians 3:16). As we read God’s Word, meditate on God’s Word, embrace God’s Word, and dwell on God’s Word, our thoughts and desires will change.
    Faith Acknowledges the Goodness of God (vv. 16-18)
    Another way to think about the trials we go through is that they are part of the “good gifts” (v. 17) God gives His people in order to make them whole. Trials are designed to produce spiritual maturity and should therefore be counted as joy. Thus, James again presents God as One Who is good and gives good things.
    James 1:16–17 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
    James told his fellow Christian brothers and sisters to not be deceived. He did not want them to misunderstand the nature of trials and temptations. He did not want them to see God for anything except a benevolent Father. God does not give us temptation. He gives us every good gift and every perfect gift. The difficulties in life are intended to strengthen and perfect us and make us more like Jesus. God’s intentions for us are always good. More than that, there is nothing in this world that is truly good that has any other origin than from the Father of lights. 
    God is unchanging in His character and in His giving of good, unlike the variation of the night changing to day or the shifting shadow caused by the sun or moon. Unlike the heavenly bodies God created, which wax, wane, and move through the heavens, God Himself is completely reliable and unwavering in His benevolent disposition. While we may not be steadfast under trial, God is always steadfast. God does not change (v. 17). 
    The God Who “gives generously to all without reproach” who ask of Him (v. 5), also gives us all good things (v. 17). This ought to give us hope. One of the greatest gifts from God is our salvation.
    James 1:18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
    God gives salvation to us “of His own will”. Salvation is ultimately a gift that originates from the will of God, and God does this by “the word of truth”, the Gospel that the Sower plants in the soil of one’s heart. It is the seed which bears fruit to eternal life. We have been born again by the word of truth, the Gospel of Jesus. Our good heavenly Father, Who gives all good things, gives new life to repentant people by His grace.
    We become the “firstfruits” of the harvest. In the Old Testament the firstfruit of people, animals, and plants belonged to God and were either redeemed or offered to Him. James may see believers as the special possession of God, and we are. However, redemption does not stop with just us. The full harvest will follow the firstfruits of believers and include the consummation of all of whole creation.
    So, God is the Giver of good things including your eternal life and you are the first fruits of His gracious redemption of all creation. The trials of life are part of the “good gifts” (v. 17) God gives His people in order to make them whole. Trials are designed to produce spiritual maturity and should therefore we should count these opportunities as joy.
    Conclusion
    In closing, regardless of our comforts or afflictions in this life, remember, like those to whom James wrote this letter, we are not at home. We are all dispersed as God’s people in a fallen and rebellious world. We will experience trials and troubles as we travel through this foreign land.
    If you are not currently undergoing a trial, you will. When you have financial difficulties, or you are treated unkindly, or you must care for a sickly loved one, or you become sick yourself, or face any other trial, large or small, you should remember the sovereignty of God and the plan of God to use those trials to produce spiritual steadfastness. We are called to respond in faith and love rather than in despair or anger.
    Troubles and temptations will happen. The question is, how will you respond to them?
    Choose to have joy in the midst of the challenges of life.
    It is a choice. God wants to strengthen your faith through the troubling things you experience. Don’t think of your trials are bad things. Think of them as opportunities to grow in faith and in your reliance upon God. Develop a habit of prayer and Scripture reading to strengthen your endurance.
    Ask God for wisdom to view your trials from an eternal point of view.
    We must pray for a divine perspective on things. Have you prayed for wisdom to view trials in such a way? Pray specifically for wisdom, not merely relief.
    Resist desires that tempt you to sin.
    While God allows us to endure trials, God does not tempt us to sin. We sin we will are lead away by our own sinful desires. Be honest about areas of personal weakness and take proactive steps to avoid situations where you’re likely to be tempted. For example, if you struggle with anger, identify triggers and seek God’s help to respond with patience. Implant God’s Word in your minds and in your hearts.
    Psalm 119:11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
    Trust in the goodness of God.
    God is the Giver of all that is good. God gives us life. He gives us abundant life. Practice gratitude by regularly listing the ways God has blessed you, especially in hard times. This helps guard against bitterness or doubting His goodness. Live a life of thankfulness and hope in God Who loves you and has given you everything good. Trust Him even when the situation is unclear.
    What if the trial you want removed is the very tool God is using to mature your faith?
    This is good news. Thanks be to God. Amen.
    Closing Song: It is Well
Truth Baptist Church
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