Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from James 1:1 and following. Indeed, James addresses his brothers, Christians out of Judaism whose ties they have not yet abandoned. He invites them to consider the trial as a perfect joy: two words that at first glance do not fit well together. Yet among the Hebrew Christians some had realized this (Heb 10:32-36). And this experience is consistent with Paul’s statement: “We glorify ourselves in afflictions knowing that affliction produces (cultivates) patience” (Rom 5:1-5; Col 1:9-11). Another apparent contradiction: while patience implies the expectation of what one does not yet have, Jacques adds: “lacking nothing”. Whatwe really lack is not earthly goods, it is wisdom. So let us ask the Lord, following the example of young Solomon (1 Kings 3:5-14).
Even poor, a christian lacks nothing since he has Jesus. And the rich can rejoice in his humiliation in communion with the One who annihilated and lowered Himself to the death of the cross. Would we envy those who will pass like the flower of the grass? Let us have in view the crown of life. For itwill reward those who have endured the trial with patience, in other words those who love the Lord. Theword trial means the trial that comes from outside. For God dispenses it to us for our good and ultimately our joy. And being tempted has a different meaning: it assumes evil. One is initiated internally by one’s lusts. Of this, how would God be the cause? Nothing dark can come down from the “Father of Lights” (1 John 1:5-7). He who sent us his own Son gives us with Him “every perfect gift” (Rom 8. 32). The source of evil is in us: bad thoughts, whose girls will be called bad words and bad deeds. But it is not enough to be aware of this. We risk looking like someone who would see his uncleanliness in a mirror and then not go to wash. The Word of God is this mirror. It shows man what he is; she teaches him what it means to do good (John 4:13-17), she cannot do it for him. What is the only “religion” recognized by God the Father? Not in the vain ceremonies that men call “religion.” It stems from the dual position in which the Lord left His own: In the world, and this is the dedication of love. Not of the world, so it is for us to keep it pure (John 17:11-16).
Thus, the epistle of James is addressed to Israelites who had believed in the Lord Jesus and to others whose faith had not yet been manifested – such a situation, mainly in Palestine, was typical of the early days of the Christian church. Just as in the Old Testament, the book of Jonah represents an exception, in that the prophet’s message is intended for Gentiles, the epistle we study here also has an exceptional character: God, in his grace, speaks to his earthly people, Israel. Their purpose is to behave justly in the trials of faith, when it comes to speaking, in relationships with one’s neighbor or with the world, and in suffering. Faith (mentioned 16 times) and works (15 times) are in a way the common thread that runs through the entire epistle. The epistle is not written to a particular assembly of believers, or even to the entire church of God. It is addressed to the “twelve tribes that are in dispersion”,” and this is what gives it its unusual character.
Therefore, even though the gospel began in Jerusalem and won its first triumphs there, the Christians of that city were slower than others to enter into the true character of the faith they had embraced. They clung with great tenacity to the law of Moses and to all the religious order received by him – this is evident from passages like Acts 15 and 21. 20-25. This is not surprising, for the Lord did not come to abolish the law and the prophets, but rather to fulfill them [or: to give them their fullness], as He says. These Christians in Jerusalem knew this well, but what they were slow to see was that now having the substance in Christ, the shadows of the law had lost their value. For thisis the main theme of the epistle to the Hebrews, which tells us that “that which becomes ancient and which ages, is about to disappear” (Heb 8.13). Shortly after these words were written, the entire Jewish system -the temple, the altar, the sacrifices, the priests -all disappeared when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
Trials and temptations:
- Spiritual trials, divine methods used to test believers
-Asking for great sacrifices Gen 22:1-2 After these things, God put Abraham to the test, and said to him: Abraham! And he answered: Here I am! 2 God said: Take your son, your only one, the one you love, Isaac; go to the land of Morija, and there offer him as a holocaust on one of the mountains that I will tell you.
-As you lead men on a difficult path Dt 8:2 Remember all the way that Jehovah your God has made you do during these forty years in the wilderness, in order to humble and test you, to know what the dispositions of your heart were and whether or not you would keep his commandments.
-In giving them the opportunity to choose 1 Kings 3:5 in Gabaon, Jehovah appeared in Solomon’s dream during the night, and God said to him, Ask what you want me to give you.
-Offering them difficult tasks Jn 6:5-6 Having looked up, and seeing that a large crowd was coming to him, Jesus said to Philip: Where shall we buy bread, so that these people may have food? 6 He said this to test it, for he knew what he was going to do.
-Allowing men to suffer when they are faithful Acts 16:23-24 After they had been beaten, they threw them into prison, recommending to the jailer to keep them surely. 24 The jailer, having received this order, threw them into the inner prison, and put the vines on their feet.
-In allowing temptation Jas 1:2-3 My brethren, look as a subject of joy completes the various trials to which you may be exposed, 3 knowing that the trial of your faith produces patience.
- Encouragement to those who go through Temptation
1 Cor 10:13 No temptation has occurred to you that has not been human, and God, who is faithful, will not allow you to be tempted beyond your strength; but with temptation He will also prepare the way out, so that you can bear it. Hb 2:18 for, having been tempted himself in what he has suffered, he can help those who are tempted. John 1:2-3; 12 John 1:2-3 My brethren, look as a complete subject of joy at the various trials to which you may be exposed, 3 knowing that the trial of your faith produces patience. 12 Blessed is the man who patiently endures temptation; for, after being tested, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love him. 2 Pet 2:9 the Lord knows how to deliver pious men from trial, and reserve the unjust to be punished on the day of judgment, Rev 3:10 Because you have kept the word of perseverance in me, I will also keep you in the hour of temptation that will come upon the whole world, to test the inhabitants of the earth.
- Praying for wisdom
2 Ch 1:10 Grant me wisdom and intelligence, therefore, that I may know how to lead myself at the head of this people! For who could judge your people, this great people? Ps 90:12 Teach us to count our days well, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom. Eph 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in his knowledge, Col 1:9 That is why we too, from the day we were informed of it, have not ceased to pray to God for you, and to ask that you be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual intelligence, John 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all simply and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
- Warning against the shared soul
2 Kings 17:33 So they feared Jehovah, and at the same time they served their gods according to the custom of the nations from which they had been transported. Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters. For either he will hate one and love the other; or he will cling to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and Mamon. 1 Cor 10:21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons; you cannot participate in the table of the Lord, and in the table of demons. John 1:8 he is an unresolved man, fickle in all his ways. John 4:8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Clean your hands, sinners; purify your hearts, unresolved men.
- Bad desires
Mk 4:19 but in whom the worries of the century, the seduction of riches and the invasion of other lusts, stifle speech, and make it fruitless. 1 Cor 10:6 Now, these things have happened to serve as examples to us, so that we may not have evil desires, as they have had. Eph 2:3 All of us too were among their numbers, and we once lived according to the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the wills of the flesh and our thoughts, and we were by nature children of wrath, like others… John 4:2 You covet, and you do not possess; you are murderous and envious, and you cannot obtain; you have quarrels and struggles, and you do not possess, because you do not ask. 1 John 2:16 for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, does not come from the Father, but comes from the world.
From all of the above, we note that we have to be workmakers, not just listeners of the Word. However, our actions also need to be tested, for a man may appear religious, zealous in all his works, and yet be shown to have only a vain religion by the fact that he does not hold his tongue in bridle. He has not learned to be “slow to speak” as verse 19 enjoins him. By leaving the tongue free, he leaves the self free. Now pure and spotless religion, the one that supports the presence of God, is likely to put the self out. Whoever visits orphans and widows in their affliction will not find much to nourish or please the self. If he associates with these poor and afflicted people, he will continually have to provide for others, instead of having to look for something to support himself. Yes, but he will keep himself separate from the world, so as not to be tainted by his defilements. “Preserved pure from the world” is a strong way of expressing it. The world is like a muddy place in which far too many people like to entertain themselves (2 Peter 2. 22). The true Christian does not wallow in the quagmire. That’s right! and if he practices pure religion, he goes further. It walks so far outside the quagmire that it doesn’t even get any mud giclure. Ourreligion is weak! When it comes to observing external things, rites, ceremonies, sacraments, services, Christianity displays this well – while true Christianity consists in the outpouring of divine love expressed in compassion and service to those who have no way of rewarding in return, and a holy separation from the system of the world that defiles and surrounds us. Our prayers accompany you all in your efforts to walk as requested by the Lord Jesus.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow “Don’t do favoritism.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.