Introduction: Imagine yourself in your car on an early Sunday morning. As you back out of the driveway you don’t see the garbage can behind the bumper and you hear the clang of metal against metal. As you step out of the car you see the unimaginable mess that is now spread out over your once clean driveway. Now imagine yourself at your desk at work and suddenly from beyond your cubicle you overhear a conversation about a fellow employee. As you begin to make out the conversation it appears that people are talking about you. You listen more intently to find out that employees are disgruntled about your having a “Jesus Rules” sticker on your computer monitor. They appear to be upset that one of those Bible thumpers are crowding their style in the office.
We all have opportunity everyday to offer ourselves to the Lord in service. But if in the morning we say “yes Lord” are we saying “no Lord” with our lifestyle? Before we being I wish to spend a moment talking about the circumstances behind James writing such a work to the church. First of all it is safe to say that he is writing to those who are already believers. Second, in being believers in that time there was great persecution happening all over the Christian community. Lastly, he writes not as a person who does not fathom the depth of their persecution but one who suffers with them in the Lord. James writes as a father would address his children….tenderly, firmly, and with wisdom. Let us see the wisdom that James has in store for us today.
The Matthew Henry Commentary states about suffering for Christ;
The design of it is to reprove Christians for their great degeneracy both in faith and manners, and to prevent the spreading of those libertine doctrines which threatened the destruction of all practical godliness. It was also a special intention of the author of this epistle to awaken the Jewish nation to a sense of the greatness and nearness of those judgments which were coming upon them; and to support all true Christians in the way of their duty, under the calamities and persecutions they might meet with. The truths laid down are very momentous, and necessary to be maintained; and the rules for practice, as here stated, are such as ought to be observed in our times as well as in preceding ages. (Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the New Testament, Electronic Edition STEP Files 2000, Findex.Com.)
Read James 1:1-8
Vs. 1-3 - Trials – it is not a matter of IF trials will happen to a Christian it is a matter of WHEN. James makes this perfectly clear. We are in the midst of developing perseverance because of trials. How does this relate to our ability to strengthen our faith? As we read this let us remember that the author is James the brother of Jesus. Who I believe found it difficult to grapple with the idea of his half-brother being the Savior of mankind. That is until the resurrection. In James’ case he referred to perseverance as something tangible almost as if you can hold it in your hand. The words used are develops. With this we can understand that it is a definite process. Nothing happens overnight. How long is the process…only God knows. It is much like our prayer life. We can expect to hear three answers from the Lord concerning prayers. Yes, no, and wait. Which of these is more difficult?
Paul states in Romans 5:3-5 We rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, characters; and character hope. And hope does not disappoint us because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom he has given us.”
Vs. 2 – Why is testing even necessary? Testing is a tool to measure excellence in learning. Let’s be a RAT for a moment. A RATIONAL ADULT THINKER. If we are all working towards perfection in the image of Christ then we must have a standard. To meet a standard you must be tested according to your learning so far. This is the purpose for testing. When we pass those “tests” we glorify the Father in knowing that we are learning from Him. Illustration: Professor didn’t like the word test it carried too many bad connotations with it. He said it was an exercise of knowledge. That is really what a test is. It is our way of exercising the knowledge (wisdom) we have gained through relying on God.
Vs. 4 – A finishing of the work…completeness. Our God is so good. He brings about completeness in everything. We find images of completeness throughout the Bible.
Examples: Promised Land fulfilled
Peter reconciled to Christ after the refusal
Jesus and the New Covenant to reconcile God to man
God intends for all of us who to come to completion. Illustration: Birds and their pattern for flying. In order for all to come to completeness in their task. Brothers and sisters in Christ holding each other up. Think about it for a moment. We are most efficient in carrying out the will of God if we do not use useless energy trying to get through it by ourselves.
Vs. 5 – Seeking wisdom. “The dumb question is the one not asked” We will never bother God with our trivial circumstances. Our relying on God for answers to those difficult questions shows servants attitude towards who is really in charge of our lives. I don’t want to leave anything to chance when it comes to becoming completely within His will. We first seek wisdom from God and discernment from the Holy Spirit as to how to react. We can also rely on each other for assurance, encouragement and helpful words.
Vs. 7 – Double minded. This is not to mean that someone is undecided. This is a person who thinks they can serve to masters. The need to stay focused on the Lord is imperative in the midst of suffering. If we were to think of ourselves we can become lost in the crashing waves. A country western singer once wrote, “You’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything.” That’s completely true.
Romans tells us, To live as Christ is what we all should maintain as our standard. When we come under scrutiny for our faith and are under attack for following the example of Christ we must rejoice in our suffering. To see what Christ has already endured for us is to see that he truly loved us enough to even die for us. How much more can we show our affection to the Savior of our lives than to suffer for just a little while.
Romans 12:2 reads – Do not conform any longer to the pattern of the world, but be transformed y the renewing of your mind.”
We should shift our focus and our complete attention to God. Not one foot on the shore and the other in the boat. The Jews of that time were wondering if it wasn’t easier to go back to being a legalistic Jew instead of a Christian.
Bosnia Story—Remain focused on God and not the “suffering”.
Read: James 9-12
Vs. 9 – The person who is in humble position is one who has no wealth of material things. This kind of person has a much different viewpoint that others do.
Jesus said, blessed are the meek…..
Vs. 10 – The realization of material items and wealth is that they are insignificant to God. God doesn’t want your money he wants your sacrifice.
What does God really want from those who serve Him? Micah 6:6 – “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humble with your God.”
Vs. 12 – Crown of life – a symbol of completeness for the believer. In the first Olympic games they would award a laurel for the winner of the races. The laurel was a sign of race that had been won. It was also a sign that the race had been completed to achieve it. The runner knew as they had it placed upon his head with the fan far and publicity that came with it that he had prepared and worked hard to get to that pinnacle in hid life.
We too can tarry through the persecutions of life and see that because of testing, seeking God’s wisdom, and prayer that we will inherit our laurel of eternal life at the end of the race.
Vs. 13-15 – Trials and temptations: A trial is God’s tool for measuring our obedience to Him. Temptation is the devil tool for hoodwinking God’s people and bringing destruction. God ahs no intention for anyone to fall into temptation as a casualty of some spiritual warfare. He does have every intention of allowing us to make decisions on our own. What we do with those opportunities is up to us.
Illustration: Lost Car keys
Vs. 15 – The tree for Adam and Eve was in the garden. The serpent came and deceived them. They desired it more than the Love of God in obedience. It bore sin as a result of falling into temptation. Through our own suffering we find ourselves in opportunities of excellence. What are the effects of your dealing with suffering badly? It is not just you that can be edified and strengthened by coming through it with God. It is not only you that are effected by how you react with the situation. We have an opportunity to glorify God through it as well as lift and encourage others. Be a RAT when dealing with it.
R-reveal your hurts to God
A-always rely on God
T- talk with the Lord for the decisions
Conclusion: What sufferings have you gone through this week. What strongholds have made it difficult for you to remain single minded on God through these events? Jesus tells us in John 10:10 in relation to a relationship with Him—“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
In your suffering, which side of the comma do live on?
Challenge: Can you say without a doubt you are totally committed to God through suffering? Reflect upon your ability to stay focused on God in the midst of strife and remember to always be a RAT.
