Faith Testing James 1:1-18
More about the man James:
James was elected the pastor of the church in Jerusalem.
Paul called him "a pillar," in Galatians 2:9. James moderated the
church conference in Acts 15. When Peter was delivered from prison, he sent a
special message to James (Acts 12:17); and when Paul visited Jerusalem, it was
to James that he brought greetings and the special "love offering"
from the Gentiles (Acts 21:18-19).
Tradition tells us that James was martyred in A.D. 62. The
Pharisees in Jerusalem hated James and had him cast down from the temple and
then beaten to death with clubs. The story also relates that James died, as did
his Saviour, praying for his murderers, "Father, forgive them, for they
know not what they do." - Bible Exposition Commentary – Be Mature (James).
Salutation 1:1
What can we learn about James from the words he uses to
greet the brethren?
He uses the word servant (bond-slave) showing his humility
and gratitude to God for salvation. He names Jesus as Lord showing adoration.
He writes to the twelve tribes showing his identification with them ethnically.
He uses the same phrase that was used in the letter to the
churches in Acts 15:23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The
apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of
the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
Trial of Your Faith
What does James mean by temptation? Is this limited to
temptation to sin or does it have a broader meaning?
The word for temptation comes for the Greek word πειρασμός
peirasmos
Translated in the AV-temptation 19, temptations 1, try 1;
21x. It means an experiment, attempt, trial, proving, or an enticement to sin, temptation, whether
arising from the desires or from the outward circumstances
When you look at the context of the entire first chapter, it
is plain, that James is talking about the trials which are a temptation to quit
or to blame God.
According to James what knowledge will help us to be joyful
even in the midst of trials?
Trials bring us to patience. We grow through the trials if
we allow God to use them to mature us. We are to have joy in the trail not
necessarily because of the trail but because of the maturity and growth that
trails through patience can bring in us.
What kind of patience is James saying will bring us to
completeness and maturity?
He is speaking of endurance. This is the ability to hold on
and trust God in the midst of the worst difficulties.
What is the perfect work of patience working us?
Bringing God’s children to perfection, entirety and wanting
nothing. Christian maturity is gained primarily through trials in this life.
Just as the temptation James speaks of is dealing with
trails, so also the word wisdom is understood through the context of this
passage. What specific kind of wisdom is James saying they should ask God for?
The wisdom to understand how trails can bring patience, and
patience will have its perfecting work. This wisdom will bring them to be able
to count it all joy.
1:6-8 In telling us to ask for wisdom James also teaches
about faith in our prayers. What does James teach us about faith in our
petitions before God?
That we must be single-minded, not wavering between doubt
and fear. If God has promised it, then believe it and you shall receive it.
Why does the metaphor of the wind tossed wave fit so well in
the admonition about trials and faith?
It gives us a picture of the trials which toss us up and
down like the wind driven waves, while our faith acts as the anchor that turns
us toward God, believing that He hears and answers our prayers.
1:9-11 How are trials the great equalizer between the rich
and poor?
The poor or lowly man rejoices, exalts because he has been
counted worthy to suffer for Christ. The rich because he has been humbled and
learned to trust in God rather than have faith in his wealth.
1:12 James closes this section with a beatitude, (blessing),
again echoing his big brother Jesus. Why is the man who has endured trials
blessed?
He shall receive a crown of life, promised to him by the
Lord.
What is the ultimate reason James gives for being able to
withstand trials?
We will endure because of our love for Him. Our love for
Jesus will give us the strength needed to endure unto maturity.
Inward Temptations
Vs. 1:13 Now James moves from the outward trials the Hebrew
Christians were dealing with to the inner trials and temptations.
What is James warning those who are going through trails to
be careful of?
He is telling them not to blame God in these areas of trial
and temptations.
What are his proofs that God is not the one behind their
trials or that God is the creator of evil since He created all things,
including Satan?
Vs. 13 - First, He cites God’s holiness. God cannot be
tempted, nor does He tempt us.
Vs 14 -15 Second, He cites our sinful nature. Each one is
tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed.
Who then is to blame when our trials or temptations bring us
to sin?
We are. The lust within us and our own choices are
responsible for causing us to sin, never God.
Finally, James cites God’s love. Every good gift and every
perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with
whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of
truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Vs. 16 James points to the nature of God using two distinct
words for gifts, good and perfect. One looks at the giver the other at the
gift. How does this help us to understand God’s role in trials?
It shows God as the one who constantly gives (present
participle) us blessings. He keeps on giving and by his constant gifts He
enables us to make it through the trials and temptations.
Vs. 17 reinforces James proof of God’s nature by the title
and description of God as the giver not the tempter. What is the title and
description?
God is the Father of lights, (looks to God as creator of all
lights in creation) with whom there is neither variableness (the possibility to
change) nor shadow of turning.
“Shadows from the sun shift, but not the One who made the
sun!” - An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty.
Vs. 18 What is the greatest example of God’s gifts and proof
that He does not tempt us?
By His own will He chose to save us, begat us by truth. He
gave us the gift of eternal salvation.
What did James mean by calling them first fruits?
The Jews who were first saved during the earthly ministry of
Jesus were the first fruits of God’s coming salvation to all others. They
themselves were proof of God’s love.
Conclusion
James, in this opening section of his epistle, deals with a
timeless and universal problem that we all face. How do I reconcile the sin and
trials of life with a loving and holy God? His answer is direct, even blunt,
but it is still elegant in its logic and proofs.
Trials are a tool that God uses to bring us to maturity. If
we allow them to work we will gain the strength of endurance. If we don’t
understand this then pray in faith and God will give us the wisdom needed to
see how He is working.
In the midst of these trials be careful not to fall into
error by blaming God for sin, sorrow and temptation. God is the giver of all
good and all perfect gifts. He is the Father of lights, not of darkness, there
is not even the hint of Him being able to change from goodness to evil. The
gift of our salvation should be all we need to understand He loves us and is
helping us though the trials we face
EXCELLENT devotional Brother Minefree!!!
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