Counting it all Joy brings stability! Text: James 1: 1-8
1. James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Review: Beginning in the first verse and continuing throughout this letter, James recognizes the Lordship of Jesus. James refers to himself as a bondservant of Christ, and this term is applicable to all Christians, because all true Disciples of Christ acknowledge His sovereignty over their lives and willingly commit themselves to His service.
There’s a close parallel between the content of this letter and the teachings of Jesus. Especially, the Sermon on the Mount. Although James doesn’t quote any statement of Jesus exactly, there are many resemblances.
Vs.1 This letter is written unto the twelve tribes, which are scattered abroad. Meaning, the nation of Israel, and those Jews scattered throughout Gentile lands. Thus this letter is addressed to Jewish Christians living outside Palestine.
James 1: 2-3 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
Becoming a Christian does not exclude believers from difficulties. Say Amen!
John 15:20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
II Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
I Peter 1: 6-8 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
I Peter 4: 12-19 12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now “ If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
Could it be for some of us at times, that we suffer unnecessarily because we involve ourselves in other people’s affairs!
Let’s look at Jesus’ words from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:1- 11 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “ Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
If you could sum this up in a few words, what is Jesus saying? Those who choose to live for Christ through anything and everything will be blessed! (Content and joyful regardless!)
When is a straight line not the fastest way from point A to point B? Using mathematical models, University of Washington researcher Marcos Llobera a zigzag path is the best way to get up or down a steep slope. ‘There is a point, or critical slope, where it becomes metabolically too costly to go straight ahead, so people move at an angle, cutting into the slope. Eventually they need to go back toward the direction they were originally headed and this creates zigzags. The steeper the slope, the more important it is that you tackle it at the right angle.’ Most people follow a zigzag path naturally when confronted by a steep hill, although they probably don’t stop to recognize that it’s faster and more efficient than trying the straight line approach.
Sometimes we feel like we’re zigzagging along in life, never making progress toward the goals that we want to reach or getting to our destination. We may be tempted to step off our path and find another. God reminds us that his way is always best. Although we may not understand why we zigzag, he is leading us in the way that avoids sin. It may not always be easy or pleasant, but we can rest assured that God will get us to our ultimate destination-as we trust Him.
James 1: 4-5 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Look at vs.4 again, Let or allow patience to have its perfect (complete) work in you and you will lack nothing.
The word ‘Patience’ has a bad name among believers, but ‘Patience’ is one of the fruit of the Spirit! ( Many say, "Don’t pray for patience!")
James 1: 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
It’s not coincidental that vs.5 follows vs.4 because the two cannot be separated. When you are having to wait (have patience) that’s the time we need to pray for wisdom and God’s will to be done, and vs.5 tells us, “that He will give us all the wisdom we will ever need while we are waiting!”
James 1:6-8 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Vs.6 But let him ask in faith… Keeping the text in context, I think it’s safe to say that if you are waiting and begin to pray for wisdom you have to stay in faith!
In other words, when you receive the wisdom from God don’t doubt it!
James 1: 6b-8 for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
If you doubt God’s wisdom on any subject you become a person that is totally unstable because you are a person who tries to depend on God’s mind and your own fleshly mind at the same time!
I believe God expects the believer to make their decisions by always applying these scriptures before marriage, any big purchase, or any big or detrimental decision!
Most of us know this, but some might not have this practicality yet. These scriptures do not apply to a person who is thinking about reading their Bible, praying, going to church or paying their bills!
