Ask In Faith—Could This Be A Test? James 1:1-8NKJV
Developing maturity in the Christian life is the theme of the book of James.
As we examine the book of James we can anticipate maturity also spiritual growth.
James 1:1NKJV James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.
James was a half brother to Jesus. However, having Jesus as his half brother wasn’t nearly as important as having Jesus as his Savior.
In others words, to James, the blood on the cross that saved him was far more important than the family blood in his veins.
Notice verse 1b, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad…
The twelve tribes refers to the Jewish people. The Jewish people are the offspring of Abraham, Issac, Jacob and Jacob’s twelve sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Joseph, Benjamin (Genesis 49:1-28; 50:24; Exodus. 1:1-5).
God has scattered His special people, Israel, throughout the world because of their sin (Jeremiah 25:8-9).
I think it amazing that James offered greetings to these 12 scattered tribes—James offers mercy and grace to his Jewish brothers and sisters.
To me, the book of James is—God’s extended hands reaching up and out unto hurting humanity. P.H
James 1:2NKJV My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
We tend to forget many life lessons. Lesson 101 is simple: “Nothing is as bad as it first seems.”
There’s always two choices—A person can totally focus on the negative aspects of trials, or a person can find—joy, peace and fulfillment in the middle of life’s storms.
Do you want a joyful day? James say’s, brethren, count it all joy as test come!
We should be quick to remember—Nehemiah 8:10NIV ‘Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength”
Let me explain— “The Jewish families that Nehemiah led back to Jerusalem felt torn, living with remorse, because Ezra, the priest, for days read God’s word to them. God’s people heeded, and their heart, soul, and mind felt heavy, experiencing the conviction of love and grace from God Almighty!”
Therefore, Nehemiah gave these Jewish followers, a prescription to lift their loads—
Again, Nehemiah 8:10NASB—Nehemiah told the people, 10 Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
The joy of the Lord is a constant gladness and cause to rejoice. It stems from an inner- strengthening from our relationship with Yahweh.
“When Jesus died for our sins, He restored us and gave us His peace, it cannot be undone." P.H
Remember this—“Your joy rests on God’s joy…”
“If you’re weighted down, think about your salvation Jesus paid dearly for. He accomplished it so, we might help others, serve others, bring laughter to every situation and trail.” P.H
Again, James 1:2Phillips When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives my brothers, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends!
Integrity Test:
We might be like the Salesman I read about. He was waiting to see the Purchasing Agent so he could submit his Company’s bid. While he was waiting, he couldn’t help but notice that his competitor’s bid was sitting on the Purchasing Agent’s desk.
Unfortunately, the actual figure for the Competitor’s bid was covered by a coke can.
He got to thinking: “How could it hurt if he took just a quick look? No one would ever need to know.” So he reached over and lifted the coke can—But his heart sank as he watched thousands of BB’s pour out from the bottomless can and scatter across the desktop.
It was a test set up by the Purchasing Agent … and he failed it. Needless to say, he didn’t get that company’s business.
Here’s an important fact—If you belong to Jesus everything you face becomes created to make you more like Him (Romans 8:28). P.H
James 1:2TM Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors.
“I believe that there are people within God’s sheepfold, who are wandering around—They wanted it easy, but some certain trail, or test, has left them hurting and isolated.” P.H
James 1:2TPT My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can!
David penned in Psalm 144:14NKJV Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!
One commentary said, They’re joyfully happy, because they understand the cause. Something great is being developed.
Again, “Happy are the people in such a state!”
James 1:3-4NKJV 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.
Again, James 1:3TPT For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up power within you to endure all things.
There’s a testing of your faith—Again, James 1, verse 4TPT And then as your endurance grows even stronger it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.
“For the mature believer, heavenly perfection won’t be a long reach or climb, because He or she is actually working on that now.” P.H
Testings are intended to produce positive results:
a). Testing are given in every level of academics—it proves your growth.
b). Test are given during doctor and hospital visits—Are you well or sick?
c). Test occur during sporting events—The question eventually asked, “Is that team really that good?”
“God sometimes administers, and also allows test to promote maturity!” P.H
Say, “Nothing is wasted.”
James 1:5NKJV 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.
Notice, God gives wisdom liberally! If you lack wisdom ask God.
James 1:5TPT And if anyone longs to be wise, ask God for wisdom and He will give it! He won’t see your lack of wisdom as an opportunity to scold you over your failures but He will overwhelm your failures with his generous grace.
"God will overwhelm your failures with his generous grace.” P.H
In the original Greek it indicates that God opens His hands, as you ask.
For the believer, obtaining wisdom means to have the ability to make wise decisions during difficult times. It does not come to you overnight, it takes time, and it comes from God.
Our goals during tests are not to be self-centered, but God-centered.
A good godly question to ask is—“What is God showing me?”
James 1:6NKJV 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.
“Refuse to doubt what God can, and will do. Refuse to doubt His ability, His ways, or His timing.” P.H
James 1:6TPT Just make sure you ask empowered by confident faith without doubting that you will receive. For the ambivalent, (doubtful, uncertain) person believes one minute and doubts the next. Being undecided makes you become like the rough seas driven and tossed by the wind. You’re up one minute and tossed down the next.
This is what we should have learned so far. “Walking the faith walk, produces stronger, more mature faith.” P.H
James 1:7NKJV For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
Those who quit, or back-away from testings and trails, become trapped with stagnant faith.
James 1:7TPT When you are half-hearted and wavering it leaves you unstable. Can you really expect to receive anything from the Lord when you’re in that condition?
Under the Footnotes of James 1:7 half-hearted or “restless” or “disengaged.”
James 1:8NKJV he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
James 1:8TM Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.
Elijah was facing 450 prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18:21TM Elijah challenged the people: “How long are you going to sit on the fence? If God is the real God, follow him; if it’s Baal, follow him. Make up your minds!”
1 Kings 18:21NKJV And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions?
“These men had made-up minds, they were on Baal’s side.’ ‘Is there any doubt whatsoever whose side your own?” P.H
James 1:8TLB If you don’t ask with faith, don’t expect the Lord to give you any solid answer.
You might think, “Pastor Howard, maybe you should read farther, so you can end with a positive message.”
However, “I like Elijah, want to leave you with two choices or options—
Option 1, Faithlessness, unrest, a lack of joy and peace.
Option 2, Strong-mature-faith that produces wisdom and powerful faith that in return, produces joy, peace and fulfillment.
It’s your choice—You choose. P.H
Benediction.
