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James 1:1-6
We all have faced a test of some type in our life and no doubt we will face many more tests. How we manage those tests depends on our individual character. There are some tests that we can study for, as in an academic test (school). As Christians, we should be reading our Bibles continually, which means on a daily basis.
There are some tests that we must prepare for, as in medical tests. These we do not necessarily study for, but there are actions that we must complete prior to those medical tests performed. Spiritually speaking, there are procedures that we should do to prepare ourselves for those spiritual tests, as in prayer, and seeking the Lord’s guidance. James, the brother of Jesus, authors this book to encourage the Christians. It still applies today. This scripture deals with enduring trials and temptations, which we will call tests. In verse 2: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.” The word temptation here refers to trials or tests. It does not mean a temptation to do evil. While God evaluates (tests) us, he never incites us to sin (1:12-16). Why would we want to be joyous about a test? Notice that the scripture did not say if we face a test, but when we face a test. We need to be ready; tests will come. We do not have to pretend to be happy during those tests, but we should have a cheerful outlook of what the results will be. The test could be hard, but it is during the test that we become stronger as we keep our eyes focused on Christ. In verse 3: “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” The “trying” means testing and the “worketh” means to be producing. We are to learn to wait upon the Lord, and the patience that we gain while waiting on the Lord will build our character. When we learn to trust in God, we can become a better person. We should be heading toward maturity in Christ, instead of staying as babes in Christ. James advises us to transform our difficulties into seasons of learning. Harsh occasions can show us how to be tolerant and patient (2 Corinthians 6:3-7; 2 Peter 1:2-9).
In verse 4: “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” We could rephrase the verse like this, “let patience have her full effect, that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” We are to grow in our Christian walk. The sooner we start to prepare ourselves for the tests and learning to trust in God, the sooner we will start to grow. We should not complain about the tests, these are moments of growth. Those tests that we go through are for the edification of Christ, and for his glory. God wants to make us “perfect and entire” (complete), not to keep us from all aggravation. We ought to express gratitude toward God for promising to be with us through unpleasant occasions. We ought to request that he assist us with tackling our concerns or to give us the solidarity to endure through them. Then, at that point, we ought to show restraint. God will not let us be alone with our concerns. He will remain nearby to assist us with our growth. In verse 5: “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.” Having wisdom means to have the ability to make wise decisions during challenging times. If we really want wisdom, we can petition God and he will supply what we need. Christians never need to grab about in obscurity, expecting to coincidentally find the responses. We can request God's wisdom to direct our decisions. At the point when James discusses wisdom, he implies useful and practical discernment. Wisdom starts with us having respect for God, it prompts right living and results in an expanded capacity to tell right from wrong. God will give us this wisdom; however, we will not be able to get it assuming our objectives are narcissistic. Our goals for the tests are not to be self-centered, but God centered. It does not come to you overnight, it takes time, and it comes from God. To become familiar with God's will, we really need to read God's Word, request that he show us the best way to submit to it, and afterward we should do everything that he says to us. In verse 6: “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he, that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” God does not concede each negligent or childish solicitation. To “ask in faith” signifies asking in certainty that God will adjust our longings to his motivations.
A wavering mind is not totally persuaded that God's way is ideal. It considers God's Word like any human exhortation holding on to the choice of insubordination (disobedience). It wavers between sentiments, the world's thoughts, and God's orders. If our faith is new, frail, or battling, we ought to recall that God is dependable and that we ought to be faithful to him. To settle our faltering or suspicious brain, we ought to submit ourselves sincerely to God. We should not doubt what God can do and what he will do. We are not to doubt his ability, his ways, or his timing. The answer may not be the answer that we think it should be, but it will be the answer that we need. We must be in line with God by setting our hearts and minds on him and putting ourselves in his will. We should ask ourselves a few questions. When will the test be given? A test will come at any time. Unfortunately, some Christians may need a little more schooling that others. How will the test be given? Passing a test is dependent upon the individual situation. Christians may face similar battles, and the outcomes may be similar, but Christians do not necessarily face the exact same trial as another. How do we pass the test? Passing any test takes preparation. We must prepare ourselves. We must study God’s Word. We must pray. We must wait upon the Lord. We should not pray for the removal of the trial, but for the wisdom to make the right use of it.
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James 2:14-26
True Christian faith is seen in its works. Paul expresses that salvation is God’s free demonstration of grace, which we receive by faith, and not by acts of merit (Romans 3:28). James states by works a man is justified, and not by faith only (James 2:24). Indeed, even the demons possess a faith in God, yet have no genuine trust in Christ (James 2:19). Wisdom does not lie in purely intellectual cleverness; it lies in the ethical astuteness that God gives to those who seek Him. James focuses on the connection among conviction and practice, theology and ethics, and to put God’s Word into practice, not simply in principle (James 1:22). Therefore, is it not true that the goal of Christian life is reached when we put God’s Word into practice? In verses 14-19: Intellectual assent is the agreement with biblical teachings but is an incomplete faith. True faith not only transforms our conduct but our thoughts and actions as well. If our lives are not changed, devoid of Christian actions, then the truth we claim to believe is false. We cannot earn or work our way into heaven. We must obey and serve God, in doing so, the works we display should reflect our commitment to God. Our loving works of service should verify our faith and trust in Christ. True faith should always reflect that our lives are changed as we do good works. Paul spoke against those who tried to get saved by their works, and James spoke against those who misinterpreted true faith with intellectual assent. Have we committed our whole self to God? That should show our true faith.
In verses 20-26: In Romans 4:1-5, Paul wrote that Abraham was justified for what he believed. Here, James is stating that Abraham was justified for what he did. These two passages of scripture do not contradict each other, rather they complement each other. Believing brings us to salvation and active obedience shows our faith is genuine. In Joshua 2, Rahab hid Israel’s spies when they went into Jericho and helped them to escape. By doing so, she was showing her faith in the purpose that God had for Israel. This action of faith resulted in her and her family being saved when the city was destroyed. The book of Hebrews has her listed on the heroes of faith.
The response of faith should involve the human will surrendering to God’s Will (Acts 9:6). Faith should lead to us separating from worldly habits (Matthew 9:9), turning away from worldly idols (1 Thessalonians 1:9), and becoming servants of righteousness (Romans 6:18). Faith should lead us to service (James 2:26). When we take action on our understanding of God’s grace, on His power, and on His purpose of redemption for those who believe in Jesus Christ, our faith becomes genuine and expresses itself in our trust and commitment. James 1:1-6
We all have faced and will face many tests. How we manage those tests depends on us. Some tests we study for, as in academic. As believers, we should be studying our Bibles continually, which means we are to read it. Some tests we prepare for, as in medical tests. These we do not study for but there are actions we must complete prior to those medical tests. Spiritually speaking, there are procedures we must do to prepare ourselves for spiritual tests. Prayer, seeking the Lord’s guidance. In verse 1: James, the brother of Jesus, authors this book to encourage the Christians. It still applies today. This scripture deals with enduring trials and temptations, which we will call tests. In verse 2:
Temptation here refers to trials or tests. Why would we want to be joyous about a test? Notice the scripture did not say if we face a test, but when we face a test. Get ready, tests will come. We do not have to pretend to be happy during tests, but we should have a cheerful outlook of what the results will be. The test could be hard, but it is during the test that we become stronger as we keep focused on Christ. In verse 3:
The trying means testing and worketh means to producing. We are to learn to wait upon the Lord, and the patience will build character. When we learn to trust in God, we can become a better person. We should be heading toward maturity in Christ, instead of staying babes in Christ. In verse 4:
We could rephrase the verse like this, let patience have her full effect, that ye may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. We are to grow in our Christian walk. The sooner we start to prepare ourselves for tests and learning to trust in God, the sooner we will start to grow. We should not complain about the tests. Those tests that we go through are for the edification of Christ, for his glory. In verse 5:
Having wisdom means to have the ability to make wise decisions during challenging times. It does not come to you overnight, it takes time, and it comes from God. Our goals for the tests are not to be self-centered, but God centered. In verse 6:
Do not doubt what God can and will do. Do not doubt His ability, His ways, or His timing. The answer may not be what we think it should be. It will be the answer we need. A wavering mind is convinced that God’s way is better. To waver is like human advice that we can have an option for. We must be in line with God by setting our hearts and minds on Him and putting ourselves in His will. We should ask ourselves:
We should not pray for the removal of the trial, but for the wisdom to make the right use of it. |
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