James, the brother of Jesus, is the most likely author of this letter. It is obvious that the writer of the letter was a Jew. And there was no other Jew named James that would have fit the time period of the writing of this book (between 50-125 A.D.) that would have been so widely known to the Church by just James than would the brother of Jesus.
James wrote this letter to the Church. Look at the first verse of James 1:
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations.
No matter how one views Israel in it’s ongoing relationship to God, this letter written by James was written to the Church of Jesus Christ throughout the world. The reference “To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations” does not mean that James is writing to only the literal nation of Israel. But He is also writing to you and I (the Church) as God’s chosen people. I say this to be true because of various references in the book that clear it up for me. One of which is James 5:14, “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.” James is writing to the church.
The book of James is said not to be a book about roots but rather about fruits. In other words its not a New Testament book that speaks about coming to the point of salvation but instead of advancing along the path of holiness once salvation is realized. Did you know that the words Gospel, redemption, incarnation, and resurrection are not mentioned within this book. So, it is a book that is addressed to the Church, to those of us who are grounded in the faith.
We are going to begin this morning by looking at the first chapter of James. We will be looking at James 1:2–12.
We will be looking at a study of Faith that is found in James 1:2–12.
This study of Faith in James 1:2–12 will help us understand Faith’s great importance in the Christian life.
Before we get started let’s pray.
We are hopefully going to understand the importance of Faith within the Christian experience to a greater degree when we leave here this morning.
Before we get into the text let’s first determine “What is faith (Greek: Pistis)?”
Faith is to believe to the extent of complete trust and reliance—‘to believe in, to have confidence in, to have faith in, to trust,’
You see, faith is not just belief. I can believe something to be possible but not have faith that it will happen. I believe that it is possible for someone to lift the front end of my car off the ground… but I don’t have faith in any one that I know to do it.
Faith is a combination of both belief and dependence. I believe that it is possible for this church to grow like no other point in it’s history and I am depending upon Jesus Christ to do it. Why? Because I have faith.
Now, let’s talk about faith from our text. And let’s understand together why Faith is of great importance in the Christian life.
First of all Faith is of great importance in the Christian life because…
1. Faith is Valuable
Faith is, what I believe, to be our most valuable of all possessions
Have you ever heard the story about Fred and Edna. This is the couple that went to the air show every year. Fred, the husband, wanted to take a ride in one of the airplanes… and airplane that was used for just that purpose, taking people up in it. He would ask his wife every year, but to no avail. Because the ride cost $50… and she would say, “Fred, $50 is $50.”
So one year, Fred and Edna are up in age and it was at this point that Fred knew that he was not going to get many more opportunities, Fred asks again. And Edna replies, “Fred, $50 is $50.”
This year the pilot of the airplane overhears the conversation. So he says to Edna, “I’ll make you a deal… I’ll take you both up for free if you don’t say one word the whole trip… however, as soon as you say something you have to pay me $50.” Edna said, “you’ve got a deal.”
So they go up into the air and the pilot gives Fred and Edna the ride of their lives. Up and Down, Side to Side, Loop T Loo… he pulled out all of his tricks. But to his surprise the couple made no noise.
He lands the plane and speaks to Fred on the ground… boy I gotta hand it to you… not a sound, not a peep.
Fred replied, “I came close when Edna fell out, but as she says $50 is $50.”
Fred was taught the value of a dollar by his dearly departed wife.
I believe that our values are learned behavior.
Let me explain by asking a question. What makes diamonds valuable?
Isn’t It because we are taught that they are valuable? Oh no it is because they are so beautiful that’s why they are so valuable. Well, I happen to think that Quartz Ziconiums are just as beautiful. Well, it has to do with supply and demand… you see diamonds are rare… that’s why they are so beautiful. Oh please, every married woman in America has a diamond ring and they are shipping in thousands a day, they can’t be that rare. Face it diamonds are valuable because we have been taught that they are. We believe that they are.
Fred believed $50 was very valuable… more so than human life, because he was taught that it was.
A. What I’m saying this morning is that Faith is valuable… more valuable than $50, more valuable than diamonds… its my most valuable possession.
i. What makes Faith valuable? Let me show you by picking verses 2-3 apart.
a. We are to consider it Pure Joy (all that means is that it should be a great joy)… We are to consider it a great joy to face trials. (?)
b. That doesn’t sound too good… We are to consider it joyful because of our trials. What is a trial in this sense of the word?
• A trial in this sense of the word is a situation that shows the nature or characteristic of someone or something by submitting to testing.
Basically it is practical testing.
I’ll know something is as I see it being what it is. For example, I’ll no someone is a good mechanic as I see them fix my car.
c. So, we are to consider it great joy to have practical testing (of all kinds) because we know that testing…
• The word testing is just referring back to the trial—these words are synonymous in the context.
• But this isn’t just any kind of testing. This is testing of our faith.
• So, the test or the trial being referred to here has a direct correlation to our faith. We are going through situations that show the nature of our faith. Our Faith is being put to the Test.
• Just like the mechanic. I know that a person is a good mechanic as they are able to fix my car. God knows that I believe and trust in Him as I turn to Him when the times get tough.
d. We are to consider it great joy to have practical testing (of all kinds) because we know that the practical testing of our faith develops perseverance. What is perseverance?
• Perseverance is an individual’s capacity to continue to bear up under difficult circumstances.
e. We are to consider it great joy to have practical training (of all kinds) because we know that practical training of our faith develops an individual’s capacity to bear up under difficult circumstances.
f. Let me ask the question again: What makes Faith valuable? Because Faith is what leads to PERSEVERANCE. Faith is what leads to our ability to bear up under the circumstances.
• Let me explain something to you. Everyone lives in a fallen world … that is a world that is infected with sin (Amen?).
But not everyone is a Christian, right?
Do you realize that our being Christian puts us in a very vicarious position? The World does not like us.
John 15:18, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first…” Of course, this is Jesus speaking. He goes on to say, “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”
This same John went on to tell us in his epistle, “Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.” (1 John 3:13)
We live in a world infected with sin, a world that is not perfect. As Christians, that sin has been forgiven from our lives. The world that is still living in sin hates us. Because of that, don’t you think we are going to face opposition? Don’t you think we are going to be involved in some battles… whether we want to fight or not, don’t you think we’re going to have to at some point?
Aren’t you glad that we have a father in heaven that recognizes our dilemma. And that he doesn’t just leave us to our own demise. But instead He gives us practical training in order that we can persevere, that is, bear up through the struggle.
Without the testing we wouldn’t have the FAITH.
That FAITH which enables me to persevere sounds like something that I would like… it sounds pretty valuable.
Let’s take it a step further, not everyone will survive this world in a positive sense.
You and I, if we come to God through Jesus Christ, we will survive this fallen world.
Remember Romans 5: “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” (1–2)
But what of those who do not come to God through Jesus Christ? How will they survive this fallen world?
“For those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil” Romans 2:8–9
You and I will, because of faith, experience the hope that we know to be eternal life and others who do not have faith, will experience survival as the wrath of God which is hell.
What sets us apart from those that will face the wrath of God? FAITH.
g. Faith is a very valuable commodity. It determines our ability to persevere to that of breaking under the pressure. It determines our eternal existence from that of eternal death or that of eternal life.
I want me some of that Faith. How do I get it? The second point this morning will give us a greater understanding of faith in that it will tell us how to get us some is:
2. Faith is a Gift
Like Salvation, our Faith is attained from God.
A gift is something that is not attained by your own means, but is given to us by another.
My wife got a gift a few weeks ago from me on her birthday… this morning I received a gift for my birthday from her. Jean, my secretary, received a gift this week for her birthday from Barbara. Gifts are given from someone to someone else.
Sometimes people will say that they bought themselves a gift during the holiday seasons. That’s not a gift, that’s a purchase… it’s an exchange of something you have (money) for something someone else has.
You know what I think the best gifts are? The gifts that you can no way attain on your own. I love those gifts. My sister, who is a missionary in Africa, gives gifts for Christmas that I can no way attain on my own. They might be African carvings, pictures, t-shirts… whatever they are you have to be in Africa to get them… and I’m not so I can’t.
My greatest gift… next to salvation of course… was given to me by my wife. Karen gave me herself when she agreed to marry me. She gave me her love. There is no way that I could attain that on my own. That was something that she had to give me as a gift.
A. This is why I believe Faith is a great Gift… because it comes to me, not by my ability to acquire it, but from God as a gift. Let’s look at that as it is described in verses 5–7.
i. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all…
a. Why does James start talking about wisdom here? Sound pretty disconected? What is the point of these four verses? What is meant by wisdom?
• The essence of this word… Wisdom here an “understanding resulting in wisdom”
Paul uses the word in a verse in Ephesians 5:15: ‘Don’t live like ignorant people, but like people who are wise.’
Paul is saying, ignorant people live a life characterized by ignorance, whereas, wise people live a life characterized by wisdom.
Wisdom is not accumulated knowledge that in no way changes your life. Wisdom, in these verses, is a knowledge that profoundly impacts you life. So much so that it changes your behaviors.
• So, when we are instructed to ask for wisdom we are asking for a belief in knowledge that results in practical use of that belief. We are asking for a belief that takes action . We are asking for faith which we know to be a belief and a dependency.
• I believe the chair will hold my weight… prove it… Okay I will (sit in it).
• Not only do I believe it but I depend upon it, I have faith.
b. If we lack this wisdom which will enable our faith, what are we supposed to do? Ask for some.
• If we find ourselves in a position where we realize our faith is lacking—a position where if we were thrown into the thick of the fight with this world we would struggle—then we need to ask for faith. (If anyone lacks… he should ask).
• I’m struggling, Lord… I should be winning this battle, not losing it. I am looking to you as the source of my strength. I’m asking you, Lord God, to give me the wisdom/faith that I am lacking.
• The Lord wants us to be wholly and completely depend upon Him… that is part of the Christian walk.
• Maybe our struggles—what ever they are—are present because God is building that resolve in our beings to be fully and completely dependent upon Him.
Faith must come from God
God wants us to request wisdom, such as what is explained here in James. A wisdom that is so closely connected with our Faith. And to make that request in the midst of trial is precisely what God intends for his us to do.
And as we are dependent upon God in this manner He will give it generously to all.
Jesus promised us that we would be granted this faith/wisdom in the end of the age in Luke 21:15–19, “For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. All men will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. By standing form you will gain life.”
And according to James all we have to do is ask for it and will be given generously.
ii. James goes onto say in verse 6, “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt…”
• If you believe that He is able to answer your prayer for faith than He will.
Oh but… I prayed the prayer and I’m still having to face the struggles.
You better believe it. Your troubles don’t necessarily vanish because of your prayer. But your faith is strengthened, which will enable you to “bear up”/persevere through the troubles. God will take you through that battle… and on the other side of the struggle you will be stronger for it. Remember God will not give you anything that you cannot endure.
• But don’t ask for this faith and then not believe or have doubts as to whether He will answer.
Oh I believe that God is capable of answering… but I’m not sure He will for me.
NO! You believe and have no doubts… because the request that you are asking for is according to God’s will. How do I know that… because the heart of God is revealed right here in the text. “Believe and not doubt…” know that God will strengthen your faith and that you will be made mature and complete.
So you see… faith is a most valuable gift in that it is valuable because it enables us presently to bear up under trial-some times, and it sets us apart from God’s wrath… and it is a gift because it is something that you or I would not be able to attain unless it was given to us by God… who wants us to be dependent upon Him by asking for the building up of this faith.
Faith is valuable… Faith is a Gift… and:
3. Faith Affords Eternal Life
Without Faith it is impossible to receive the crown of life.
Recently I was explaining the importance of Jesus Christ to a small group.
I was sharing that it is because of belief in what Christ has done that enables a person to have eternal life… that is what enables a person to experience heaven.
I then asked them the question, “What enables us to go to heaven.” And they replied, for the most part, “You believe.” But when asked what they are to believe I couldn’t get a straight answer. I heard one of them say “You believe in Jesus”… O.K. what is it that you believe about Jesus? They told me some of the things that I had just told them, but you could easily see that they did not understand it… that is they did not have the wisdom that results in understanding that enables a person to use it practically by surrendering to God by coming to Him through Jesus Christ.
This belief that we have… This FAITH that we have is so very valuable and it is the greatest of all gifts because it affords us eternal life.
You want to know the meaning of life? It all boils down to this: You either believe in Christ and accept what He has done for you as your free gift of salvation or you do not. The meaning to life is attaining that Faith in order that you can experience Eternal Life in heaven rather than eternal banishment in Hell.
A. That’s why James makes the comparison that He does between the humble brother (the man of modest means) and the rich brother. He makes the comparison because James knows that the man with modest means will be more apt to accept the gift than the man that relies on His independence to meet his needs.
“The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away…”
• Have you ever tried to give a gift to someone who has everything? Try giving a man that has everything a free turkey for Thanksgiving to feed his family. I bet you most often than not the rich man will turn it down. “Give it to someone who can really use it… I can get my own.”
• Whereas if you were to offer that Turkey to a family that is having a tough time of it because of their lack of funds, I bet you they would be more apt to accept it.
• Both people need the turkey… they both are going to celebrate Thanksgiving with their respective families. But the rich man has become more dependent upon himself whereas the poor/humble man is willing to depend upon others.
James understands that it will be the man/woman who is willing to depend, not on their own strength, but on the strength of the Lord God that will persevere. And that through that perseverance they will experience eternal life.
“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”
Blessed is the man who has faith which enables him to bear up under the troubles of this world, because it is that man that is dependent upon the faith that God has promised that will experience Eternal Life.
Faith is the most valuable of gifts because it affords eternal life.
Folks FAITH is valuable. If you want to collect anything in your life you are going to want to collect greater portions of FAITH. In the end everything physical will fade away, just like the wild flowers do in the scorching heat. But Faith will be left… and depending on where your FAITH is centered it will be your most valuable of all life’s collectibles. Guard you FAITH. Exercise your FAITH through the trials that we face in life. Down run from the trials… allow the trials to strengthen you. During those difficult moments turn to Almighty God and show Him the nature of your FAITH. The fact that you are wholly and completely dependent upon Him.
FAITH is a gift. It is a gift that does not come because you will it. It is a gift from God, that would not be attainable unless it came from Him. We can seek it through asking. Ask God for FAITH. God not only do I believe but I am fully dependent upon you. Please strengthen my resolve to be FAITHful. Give me the wisdom which will enable me in FAITH.
FAITH is what affords us eternal life. Don’t lose sight of that. It’s just not an verbal assent that you believe. But it is a lifestyle change that communicates you are fully dependent upon Him. As you live you life excersizing your FAITH, God will grant you more in order that you will persevere and receive the crown of life.
