There’s a familiar story about the new bride who is cooking a big family dinner. As the ladies are gathered in the kitchen, the bride puts the roast in the pan and asks her mother why we always cut the end of the roast and put it in another pan? They ask grandma who says, “well honey, I cut the end off of the roast and put it in another pan because my roasting pan was too small!”
There are several variations of that story.
In one variation a young bride puts a pan of water in the oven every time she bakes a cake. She figured that this somehow added moisture to the cake. On one occasion her mother is visiting and asks, “why do you put a pan of water in the oven to bake a cake?” The bride replied, “well mom, that’s the way you always did it.” “Yes,” the mother replied, “but that’s because my oven racks were uneven.”
In one variation, a young bride is thawing the turkey for Thanksgiving Dinner. She puts the bird in the sink and covers it with a dishpan. “Mom, what is the purpose for putting a dishpan on top of the turkey to thaw?” “Sweetie, I put a dishpan on top of the turkey because we had cats.”
Finally, from “humor in uniform” comes the story of the young Seabee electrician who was electrocuted from working on a live fixture. The Master Sergeant visited him in the infirmary and chewed him out. “What made you think you could work on a live fixture?” The apprentice replied, “Sir, I was trying to save time and I’ve seen you stand on one leg, grab the wires and splice them without turning off the power. ” The Master Sergeant replied, “You dummy - didn’t you notice that I’ve got a wooden leg?”
That story was from a collection called “Wooden You Know It” by Peg Mickleson.
Source of stories http://www.snopes.com/weddings/newlywed/secret.asp
SMALL MISUNDERSTANDINGS can become perpetual realities if left uncorrected. Such is the case in the study of the book of James.
I believe that a small misunderstanding about the way that a key word in James has been translated has left us missing the main point of the book.
The misunderstood word is the Greek word ὑπομονή (noun) or ὑπομένω (verb). The word most often is translated “patience” or “endurance.” But here in James the emphasis is on remaining steadfast in the face of persecution or trials.
Notice how the meaning shifts to being patient through trials when we translate ὑπομονή with the word “patience.”
James 1:3–4
(KJV 1900) — 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
(NIV84) — 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
(NASB95) — 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:12
(KJV 1900) — 12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
(NIV84) — 12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
(NASB95) — 12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
James 5:11
(KJV 1900) — 11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
(NIV84) — 11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
(NASB95) — 11 We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.
Based on these translations from the KJV (but also continued in the NASB and NIV), many approached James as a book that teachers us Patience during trials.
But the ESV gets closer to the intent of James.
James 1:3-4 (ESV) “for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
James 5:11 (ESV) Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
James 1:12 (ESV) Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
I like the use of “steadfastness” in the ESV to bring out the idea of staying faithful to your commitment to Christ when trials and persecution come. We need this exhortation because we are tempted to lose faith when trials come. Many Christians grow weary and give up on the Christian life when things get difficult. We must be exhorted to continue with Christ even when things are tough.
James is getting at something more substantial than patience through trials. James is exhorting us to stay FAITHFUL in the face of PERSECUTION.
He is exhorting us to KEEP the FAITH.
JAMES is a book of EXHORTATION.
James is much like a SERMON (or rather a collection of sermons).
Why did James write a GENERAL LETTER to the Jewish Christians of his time to encourage them to KEEP the FAITH?
The RECIPIENTS were “ the twelve tribes in the Dispersion” (James 1:1, ESV).
These were JEWISH CHRISTIANS in the early Apostolic age.
James probably written in the 40's.
Perhaps within the first ten years after Christ’s death and Resurrection.
The CONTEXT of the RECIPIENTS. The audience addressed in James 1:1 is the same audience that we find in the early pages of Acts. Here are some of the experiences of these very first believers as we trace the persecution they encountered in the book of Acts.
Jewish Christians were Persecuted by the Religious Leaders in Jerusalem.
Acts 4:1–3 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.
Acts 5:17–18 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison.
Stephen, a Jewish Christians was Stoned. Acts 7:59And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
The Saints in Jerusalem were Scattered. Acts 8:4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.
The Apostle James is Martyred by Herod. Acts 12:1–2 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword,
The non-believing Jews in Lystra Stoned Paul. Acts 14:19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.
These were believers who needed to be exhorted to keep the faith.
This is exactly what James does throughout the book
I believe that the theme “Keep the Faith” provides a consistent theme that unites the entire book together. Following is a suggested chapter title and key verse for each chapter. Note how each chapter relates to the overall theme “Keep the Faith.”
Chapter 1: “Keep the Faith Because It’s the Way to Know your Faith is Real”
James 1:3 (ESV) for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
Chapter 2: “Keep the Faith by Doing Good Works”
James 2:17 (ESV) So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Chapter 3: “Keep the Faith by Speaking Good Words”
James 3:2 (ESV) For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
Chapter 4: “Keep the Faith by Separating from Sin”
James 4:8 (ESV) Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Chapter 5: “Keep the Faith to Receive God’s Blessing
James 5:11 (ESV) Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
CONCLUSION
The exhortation to be patient in trials is very important. But it misses the main point of the book of James.
JAMES is exhorting us to KEEP the FAITH when trials and persecution come!
Persecution is greater now than at any time since the first century church.
Fox News Report: Number of Christians martyred for their faith DOUBLED in 2013 over 2012.
Greatest persecution:
North Korea (50,000-70,000 Christians sentenced to concentration camps)
Somalia. http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/01/10/christians-killed-for-faith-nearly-doubled-in-2013-group-finds/?intcmp=HPBucket
Nigeria
Pakistan
Iraq. Multiple bomb attacks in Iraq targeted Christians over Christmas. At least 37 were killed. http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/12/25/bomb-attacks-on-christians-in-baghdad-kill-37/
Iran. Saeed Abedini, an American citizen from Idaho was arrested in 2012 on religious charges. He was caught sharing his faith while visiting Iran.
China.
Here in America -
Silencing of Military Chaplains and Christians expressing their faith.
Persecution of Christian’s in High School and College.
Ridicule and insult of Christians is accepted in the media.
Phil Robertson attacked for stating his beliefs on homosexuality.
KEEP the FAITH when you are insulted and ridiculed for your faith
KEEP the FAITH when you are tempted to remain silent about political or social issues
KEEP the FAITH when you are in the minority because of your Christian belief
KEEP the FAITH when it seems like the world is getting worse
KEEP the FAITH when the every day trials of life get you down
KEEP the FAITH because there are many times when we are tempted to grow weary and deny the Lord.
The JEWISH Christians in the early apostolic era needed to be exhorted to KEEP the FAITH
We need that same exhortation today.
