James 1:1-12

1 James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad, greetings.

2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,

3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

4 And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

6 But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

7 For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,

8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

9 But let the brother of humble circumstances glory in his high position;

10 and let the rich man glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away.

11 For the sun rises with a scorching wind, and withers the grass; and its flower falls off, and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.

12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

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Key Verse:

James 1:12

"Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."

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INTRODUCTION

A. Historic background

James wrote his epistle to believers who were going through some very difficult circumstances. They were suffering persecution at the hands of unbelieving Jews, including the loss of property, dislocation, even the martyrdom of family and friends and the continual jeopardy of their own lives. James tells them that, instead of sinking into despair and self-pity, they should consider it all a joyful experience in view of the priceless value of the permanent qualities of character being built in them through the circumstances. He exhorts them to respond positively and constructively, allowing their steadfastness to produce a perfect result.

B. Current background

All of us experience circumstances that challenge our faith and exert pressure on our souls. The temptation is strong to give in to the pressure and give up, to escape the pressure by abandoning the principles for which we are suffering. Many believers live in societies and under governments that are hostile to the faith of Christ. Others are threatened with economic reprisals if they refuse to compromise their Christian principles in business or on the job. Young people are subject to tremendous peer pressure, and find that there is often a social price to pay for maintaining their Christian integrity. As believers, we find it vitally important to keep our priorities straight. We must look beyond the immediate circumstance and fix our hearts on the priceless and timeless moral qualities that God is building in us.

I. Trials have a purpose (1:2-4)

A. God does not bring hardship and opposition upon us, but He does use the circumstances to build character in us. These inner qualities are perfected by exercise under provocation. Romans 8:28 assures us that "all things work together for good" for believers. And 2 Corinthians 4:17 declares that our "light affliction" is producing a great "weight of glory."

B. When we know the purpose and see its priceless eternal value, we can rejoice in the trying circumstances. Romans 8:18 tells us that our present sufferings are not worthy to be compared with the future glory "that is to be revealed to us."

C. God is certain about what He is doing. As His grace enables us to respond positively to the trials and testings, the character that He is building in us for eternity will develop and mature. So Paul says, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6).

II. God has provided wisdom (1:5-8).

A. We need wisdom, particularly when we are in trying and distressing circumstances. Such disruptions tend to disorient us from our familiar surroundings and routine, introducing into our pattern of living new and threatening things. We need wisdom not only to know how to cope with the situations themselves, but also to see what God is endeavoring to build into our character so we can respond constructively in the divinely-ordained process. As one person in the middle of a trial put it: "Lord, help me to learn what you are trying to teach me, so I won't have to go through this again."

C. Unwavering faith is essential. Already in his epistle James indicates the active, volitional nature of faith. Faith is a moral commitment, a choice of the will, and a commitment of the will produces action (works). True faith is steadfast. It is choosing where one stands and standing there unmoveable by God’s grace. The wavering that is condemned here is more than just a conflict in one's thoughts. It is vacillating in one's basic purpose and commitment. The double minded receives nothing from God because he never settles his heart on the integrity and faithfulness of God. "Do not associate with those who are given to change" (Proverbs 24:21). God said to Judah: "Why do you go around so much changing your way?" (Jeremiah 2:36). Ephesians 4:14 says that we are not to be "tossed here and there by waves." "Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings," Hebrews 13:9 admonishes us. Elijah challenged the people, "How long will you hesitate between two opinions?" (1 Kings 18:21). And Jesus informed us that no man can serve two masters (Luke 16:33). Double mindedness is a moral and not merely a psychological problem. It requires repentance (James 4:8).

III. Rejoice in the things of true value (1:9-11).

A. The poorer believers perhaps did not suffer any great loss of material possessions through persecution, because they possessed little in the first place. Even so, they still experienced the persecutions and are therefore "considered worthy to suffer shame for His name" as were the apostles (Acts 5:41). They, too, will receive the "weight of glory" that these "light afflictions" are working for us.

B. The rich believer suffered a greater measure of material loss through persecution. But he, too, is to rejoice. He is to rejoice that he has been delivered from the danger of having a wrong sense of values, set free from any false sense of riches that he might have had. His wealth has been removed as a source of temptation and false security. He has now discovered a greater oneness with his poorer brothers and sisters, social and economic differences having been abolished. Persecution is a great leveler. The rich was going to lose his wealth someday anyway (just as the flower fades). He can now rejoice that the loss came when it could occasion in him the development of humility and other moral gain. We know from 4:13-16 what temptations and tendencies these rich believers had. Spiros Zodhiates tells of a wealthy family that was so occupied with the source of their riches that they took little or no time for their daughter. The father lost his wealth and as a result had more time for his family. One day the daughter came up, put her arms around her father's neck and said, "Don't get rich again, daddy." In this passage James reaffirms the words of Isaiah 40:6.

IV. The happiness that results from steadfastness. (1:12).

Patience. Patient continuance. Remaining true. Steadfast love and devotion. Tried and proven true; deepened; stabilized; fixed; made firm. The crown of life is given to those who love God, for only those who love God are compatible with Him. Only they would enjoy His fellowship. This love is what God is after. He wants it to be of the highest quality--deep, true, steadfast, intense. To develop these qualities, love must be tested and tried. All who partake of this process and its priceless result are blessed indeed. Whatever prepares us for supreme joy is in itself joyful. This should make every Christian a happy Christian. It should also make us humble, for this crown of life is a gift, not a prize.

CONCLUSION

As believers we should be thankful for the circumstances that God uses to prevent us from setting our hearts upon the things of this world and to keep our sense of spiritual values strong. Adversity shall not overcome us, "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38, 39). Neither can people force us away from Christ. This is His assurance: "My Father, who has given them to Me. is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand." (John 10:29). In this confidence let us remain steadfast in every trial, looking forward to the joy and crown that His approval will bring.

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POINTS TO PONDER:

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1. In what ways can our faith be tested by circumstances?

2. How do these pressures produce patience? Would it not be easier to live a stable, consistent life if our faith were not under attack from these circumstances?

3. What is the "perfect work" of endurance?

4. Discuss the meaning of "perfect."

5. From other passages in James, describe the wisdom that comes from God.

6. What are the marks of a "double mind"?

7. What does it mean to be "exalted" (high position), and to be "brought low" (humiliation)?