James 1
One of the things attractive about James is that this letter is filled with practical advice. What it lacks in terms of complex theology (as in Romans), it makes up for with principles of living out the faith.
Once again, I will be using the New English Bible (NET) in these online Bible studies.
From James, a slave of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings! (James 1:1)
If this letter is from the half-brother of Jesus, it is interesting that he identifies himself as a servant/slave of God. Humility is key.
My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything. But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:2-8)
Trials will come our way and the only thing we can control is our response. We are to rejoice, not in the suffering itself, but the end result. James outlines the process by which God uses our suffering to perfect our faith.
We all find times when we lack wisdom. We are to go to God and pray for wisdom. While we use the intelligence that God gives us, we also need to seek God’s guidance.
The passage on faith and doubt is difficult. It is not an absolute condemnation of doubt, as respected figures in the Bible doubted. But it is a call for us to pray in faith. There needs to be a certain level of confidence that god will give us, if not what we want, then what we need. Even in that, we need to remember that God deals with us in grace.
Now the believer of humble means should take pride in his high position. But the rich person’s pride should be in his humiliation, because he will pass away like a wildflower in the meadow. For the sun rises with its heat and dries up the meadow; the petal of the flower falls off and its beauty is lost forever. So also the rich person in the midst of his pursuits will wither away. Happy is the one who endures testing, because when he has proven to be genuine, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires. Then when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death. Do not be led astray, my dear brothers and sisters. All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change. By his sovereign plan he gave us birth through the message of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. (James 1:9-18)
James introduces here a theme that he will develop through his letter, the idea of wealth and poverty. There is no support here for the prosperity gospel, claiming that God always blesses believers with wealth. In fact there are dire warnings toward the wealthy.
James also tells us that God does not tempt us. There is a difference between testing and tempting. Testing is about developing our strength. Tempting is about pushing us toward sin, and God never does that. God does not want us to fall but to grow in faith. James reminds us that God is known as the Giver of good gifts.
Discussion Questions
- If you were the half-sibling of Jesus, would you advertise that relationship?
- Are you able to find joy in suffering? If so, how? If not, why?
- What area of your life do you need to seek wisdom for?
- Do you see the wealthy as more blessed?
- What are the good gifts that God has given you?
