Today as we continue in the first chapter of the book of James we will be looking specifically at verses 9 through 12 but before we get into those verses let's read starting at verse one to refresh our minds with what the Lord is saying through James.
James 1:1-12
“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
“That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
“Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation - since they will pass away like a wild flower.
“For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
James 1:9
“Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.”
Americans have a difficult time understanding “humble circumstances”
“humble circumstances” are relative
You are considered to be in humble circumstances if:
If you have an old flip phone
If you are a motorcyclist and don’t have a Harley (or knockoff)
If your house doesn’t have a bedroom for each child
What were “humble circumstances” when the Holy Spirit moved James to write a letter to the Christians of that time?
Two classes of people
The poor (humble circumstances)
The rich
From the best of the humble to the most humble
Those who went to the marketplace to be hired for day work
Servants and slaves
Widows and orphans
The crippled and disabled
The outcast - lepers
Remember: this is to “Believers in humble circumstances” but what does it mean that they should “take pride in their high position?”
This seems like how can they be in “humble circumstances” and “high position” at the same time?
There is a thread running through this passage
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds … Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position … Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial …”
What is the “high position” for those who are in "humble circumstances" since the time of Christ?
It is the position held by those who are “in Christ”
Romans 8:1
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus …”
Romans 12:4-5a
“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body …”
Romans 16:3
“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus.” (Not co-workers FOR Christ Jesus but IN Christ Jesus)
Galatians 3:26
“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith …”
So, these down trodden, unskilled laborers and the destitute and the unclean who the world looks down upon, these “losers” from the world’s point of view are all in a high position because they are in Christ!
They should consider their worldly hardships “pure joy” because in Christ they are a child of God. They have passed from being the least of the least in the world to being joint heirs in the Kingdom of God because they are in Christ!
No one here today qualifies as poor in the time of Christ or even now in an undeveloped country.
Do you feel like you are poor? The United Nations has established that the world poverty level are those with an income of less than $1.25 per day! Still feel poor?
Now, let’s move onto James 1:10
“But the rich should take pride in their humiliation - since they will pass away like a wild flower.”
Most of the commentaries believed that these people referred to as “the rich” were also believers with only a couple of exceptions.
How should the rich take pride in their humiliation?
The world exalts riches; riches in money, riches in looks, riches in physical abilities, etc.
It is easy for someone who is rich or beautiful or talented to start believing that the admiration of the world is deserved! Pride. Self pride. Hey man, it’s all ME!
I am what you want to be! You wish you had my money. You wish you had my looks. You wish you had my talent. And, oh yeah, I’m a Christian. Jesus is lucky to have me on His team!
Actually, no He’s not!
For anyone to come to Jesus for salvation they must humble themselves before the King of Kings and admit that they need a Savior!
Now, can someone who is prideful, a "self-made man", be a Christian? Self pride is idolatry.
They should take pride in their humiliation!
Here's what the rich Christian should take pride in ...
They should take pride in the fact that God extended His prevenient grace to them in order to call them to Himself.
They should take pride that the Lord’s saving grace enabled them to humble themselves before God and confess their sins, ask forgiveness and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ!
They should take pride in the fact that they are now in Christ because He has accepted them by His grace and washed away their sin by His blood shed on the cross of Calvary.
James 4:10
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
You see, there is only embarrassing futility and failure ahead if they try to take pride in their money or looks or talent.
A person whose pride is in their wealth may see it evaporate before their eyes.
A person whose pride is in their wealth may see their body ravaged by disease and all of their money will never be able to keep death from coming.
A person whose pride is in their looks will see the effects of time in the mirror or in old photos of them in their prime.
A person whose pride is in their looks may destroy whatever looks they have left with surgery after surgery until their face is a frozen, grotesque mask.
A person whose pride is in their athletic abilities will see them dwindle over the years and will watch helplessly as younger athletes rise up to defeat them.
But a person whose pride is in their humility before God will see the Lord transforming them into someone who is mature and complete in Christ.
That is an eternal treasure hidden in Jesus away from the eyes of the world.
But the plight of the person trusting in their wealth or looks or talent is
James 1:11
“For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.”
So, we see that the children of God in humble circumstances have trials and difficulties but that they can take pride in their high position as sons and daughters of God.
And, we also see that the rich can take pride in their humiliation because that humiliation leads to humility which leads them to salvation in Jesus and then they too are honored to become sons and daughters of the Living God.
So, all who live on earth have trials of many kinds and we can find joy in those trials in this life and in the life to come because …
James 1:12
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
This verse doesn’t say
Blessed is the one who takes a look and says, “That’s just too hard.”
Or - Blessed is the one who tried and gave up
Or - Blessed is the one who almost made it
It says Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial BECAUSE, HAVING STOOD THE TEST, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
You think you have trials, right? Check this out!
Mark 13:12-13
“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. Everyone will hate you because of Me, but the one who stands firm (endures, perseveres)to the end will be saved.”
Matthew 24:10-13
“At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm (endures, perseveres) to the end will be saved.”
How do we know that we can stand the test? Because we have a God with limitless power and love for us.
Psalm 16:7-9
“I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
Psalm 60:5 / 63:8 / 73:23
“Save us and help us with Your right hand, that those You love may be delivered.” “I cling to You; Your right hand upholds me.” “Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand.”
Here is a promise given to the nation of Israel in the book of Isaiah but within it, it carries the same promise to those of us who belong to Jesus!
Isaiah 43:1b-3a
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
“When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior …”
Are you facing trials today?
We love the Scripture and song that says, “If God is for us, who can stand against us?” Romans 8:31
Why is God for us? Because we are for God and He never forsakes His own!
