James 1:1-4; James, a servant of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. 2). My brethern, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations. 3). Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4). But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing…AMEN…
Introduction:
The book of James, as it is titled in the King James Version of the Bible, is called an epistle. However, James letter to Christian Jews, “which are scattered among the nations of Gentiles,” could actually be called the “Church book.” Because it is a practical, yet authoritative message written to the church concerning:
Christian Maturity
Christ-like Holiness
The practice of Christian faith
Again, this epistle is authoritative, which is, pastoral. James, the Pastor of the New Testament Church writes what appears to be an open sermon or message to the Jews. Notice the many and varied subjects that he writes about in all five chapters:
In Chapter one he writes about the transformation of spiritual character that is developed through “manifold tests and trials.” He says the “trying of your faith worketh patience.”
In Chapter two he writes about the importance of respect for others who are members in the body of Christ.
§ Courtesy to all who come into the spiritual assembly (2:1-4)
§ Compassion to all who are children of God (2:5-9)
In Chapter three he writes about the difficulty of controlling the tongue.
§ The power of the tongue (3:1-5)
§ The perverseness of the tongue (3:6-8)
§ The pollution the tongue causes (3:9-12)
In Chapter four he writes to warn believers about the destruction that worldly concepts and practices will bring if they are allowed the opportunity to become active in the Body of Christ.
§ The cause of conflict (4:1-2)
§ The consequence of conflict (4:3-4)
§ The cure for conflict (4:5-6)
In chapter five he writes about the sinfulness of materialism
§ Consternation of wealth (5:1-2)
§ Corrosion of wealth (5:2-5)
Closing: James takes full advantage of his spiritual position as pastor to write about every area of Christian life.
· Who a believer is
· What a believer is supposed to do
· What a believer says
· What a believer is supposed to feel
· What a believer has in Christ Jesus.
Finally, not only does James write authoritatively, as pastor of the New Testament Church, his writings also serve to remind Christian Jews of the importance of their spiritual relationship with God. Notice the modesty of his opening salutation: “James a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (What is the information that James does not mention in his letter?)
Textual Points
Scripture: “My brethern, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.”
The actual translation of the text is: “Brethern, consider it pure delight when you face and are surrounded by many manifold tests and trial.” The first point of consideration is: “The Attitude in trials (1:2.)”
According to James “Count it all joy,” my spiritual posture during a test is supposed to be one of joy. He’s talking about what’s produced in me while I face or experience the test that’s on my life. Trials should be faced with an attitude of joy. Trials should not be seen as a punishment, a curse, or a calamity but something that must prompt rejoicing. Furthermore they should produce “pure joy.
“Divers temptations,” or better translated, “manifold tests” are the trials God sends to strengthen me and to mature me. However, the question is how can I have joy or as the translation says: “consider my test with delight?”
Because I know two things:
The Motive of God: If God wanted to punish or destroy me he could do it very easily. Thus, I determine that the motive of God is to mature and develop my life spiritually both for relationship with him and for the purpose of receiving responsibility from him.
The Method of God: God’s method for spiritual growth is his prerogative concerning what he will use to mature me. One of the methods used by God is tests and trials.
§ He uses tests to build character in us.
§ He uses tests to develop faith in us.
§ He uses tests to build integrity and righteousness in us.
When I am assured of God’s motive, that he loves me and that he’s not trying to hurt me, but build me. When I am assured of God’s method, that what I am currently experiencing is a test from God, it produces “joy” in my heart and in my mind. Not humor, not happiness, but “joy.” Which is gladness because I understand that if God is positioning my life to experience a test, he has a purpose in mind, and when the test has been completed, I will be a stronger more spiritually developed person.
So the “joy” or “gladness” that is born out of my struggles motivates and encourages me to trust God even when I don’t know the means God is going to use to test me. It doesn’t matter my attitude during the test is one of “joy.” In fact, the attitude that I bring to the test and trial determine how long it will take to come through the test. I cannot come to the test that has Godly significance for my life, angry or with dread and fear. I’ve got to learn how to embrace the test.
Example: Here is a biblical example of what my attitude is supposed to be when I am experiencing a test from God.
Scripture: Matthew 5:11-12; Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. [12] Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
May be the reason why you keep experiencing and repeating the same test is because of the attitude that you bring to the test. It’s the attitude of joy that will bring you through the test.
Thus, “joy” is the spiritual quality that is produced in me while I negotiate the varied tests and trials sent by God to mature and grow me.
Scripture: 1 Thes. 5:18; In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
The second point of consideration is: “The Advantage of my trials” (1:3-4)
Scripture: “Knowing this that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4). But let patience have her perfect work.”
Notice the Godly affect of the trails and tests sent by God: The development of “patience.”
What is this spiritual quality called patience?
Patience: Hypo: (under) and Meno: (stay) meaning stay under or better translated endurance.
Patience: It’s the characteristic of a man who has not swayed from his loyalty, and commitment to the Lord, even when he is faced with the greatest tests and trails.
Example: Matthew 26:38-44; (Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemene.) Verse 38 says: “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.” Yet three times he endures, he “stays under the will of the Father and says: “nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.”
Patience: In verse two we discover God’s method for producing spiritual maturity: “divers temptations.” (many tests and trials), and in verses three and four, we discover God’s motive for producing spiritual maturity: the perfecting work of patience sent by God, while your life is in the midst of a test to develop you and encourage you not to give up and despair while the work of God is in progress.
Scripture: Romans 5:3-5; “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4). And patience, experience; and experience hope. 5). And hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
Scripture: James 5:11; Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
Patience is the spiritual quality that comes through the “testing of your faith.” Or the proving of your faith to encourage you to “stay under” or “endure” and “remain steadfast” until God has completed his perfect work in your life. We know this by James statement: “The trying of your faith worketh patience.” The word “worketh” means “accomplishes.” Or better, “the result of trying or proving your faith through a test will establish in you patience which is endurance. Why is this so important? Because the spiritual quality of patience is portable. It will work in every area of your life. It’s the ability to stay focused and stay encouraged until you pull out everything, all of the benefits and blessings out of:
· Your test
· Your storm
· Your trouble
· Your difficulty
· Your sickness
· Your grief and bereavement
Secondly, in verse 4 James says something that appears quite strange. “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire wanting nothing.”
Illustration: Two bike riders on a bicycle built for two riding up telegraph hill in San Francisco, California, the man in the front and the woman on the back. When they got to the hill, she stopped peddling because of the fear of the climb and the difficulty that was involved, and unknowingly placed her foot on the brake. It made the ride longer and more tedious for her partner because her foot was on the brake.
Is there the possibility that you have made this test and journey of growth longer and tedious because you have your foot on the brake? Sometimes the height of the test and trial brings about anxiety, but James says don’t hinder the perfecting work of patience keep your foot off of the brake!
James is saying that you can hinder the perfecting work of God taking place in your life by being in the way. Notice the admonishment “But let.” Here is what James is saying. “Get out of the way and let the test and trial sent by God develop in you what it was sent to develop so that the test can be completed. Hindering the perfecting work of God and keeping you going through the same test!
Important: (“the word “let” in the Greek language is represented by the first letter of the Greek alphabet.) What does it mean? It means that the word “let” represents the beginning of God’s perfecting work in your life that is not completed until he says, it is completed.
The third point of consideration is: “The Assistance in the trial” (1:5-12).
Scripture: James 1:5-12; If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
In verse 4b, James says: “That ye may be perfect, entire lacking nothing.” He is not talking about a perfection that’s physical, but perfection meaning what God has started in us has reached its end.
Illustration: A student who displayed intelligence and ability, but who was kept in the 10th grade, in high school instead of being passed to the next grade. Why am I being kept in the 10th grade? There is a good reason. Although you are very intelligent you have not learned all there is to know for this period and time of study, the 10th grade, because you have not finished all of your home work. You have not completed all of your tests and assignments. You cannot pass, to a higher grade no matter how smart you think you are until you have completed the work and demonstrated that you are ready to go to the next grade.
James says God does not release us from the test and trial until we are mature and can demonstrate that we are ready to go to other levels in him.
However, James also says concerning the assistance for the trial. If you lack wisdom ask God for it. God sends the test, administers the test, and then assists us in the test. Literally, when you don’t know what to do next and you need spiritual intelligence and revelation ask God! He’s available in the midst of the test to help you come through the test. In essence, he’s working to help you endure!
Important: Concerning wisdom, notice, the wisdom that God sends, comes through experience. He does not always just give us the answer. There are times when he allows us to receive revelation knowledge through life’s experiences, which means, he gives us the opportunity to receive wisdom in multiple ways. If you ask him, he will send an opportunity for you to receive wisdom by making your way through a learning experience. Why? Because if he just tells you, the possibility is that you won’t remember it. But, when you experience it personally, the revelation knowledge that comes out of the experience will live with you and bless you for a lifetime.
The fourth point of consideration is: “The Award for the trial” (1:12)
Scripture: James 1:12; 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.
Notice the word “endureth.” It speaks directly to what the believer has experienced. It’s a monetary term used to explain how money or coins have been developed. Heated first, then hot hammered down, cooled, and then the rough places smoothed off and finally buffed. James says “blessed is the man.” Or better stated “happy” is the man that endureth the test because of what he has experienced and because of what he will receive, the crown of life, which is the wreath of completion.
No comments:
Post a Comment