Bible Study - Living (1) - Faith on Display in Hard Times - James 1:1-12 - Se[tember 4, 2022

 

Bible Study – Living (1) – Faith on Display in Hard Times – September 4, 2022

This is lesson one (1) in our series entitled, “James: Living Out Your Faith.”

Our focus scripture is James 1:1-12.

GOD uses trials to mature our faith.

In most any sport, the person participating in that sport trains very hard to be the best he or she can when they play the game.

The same is true in our walk with JESUS. GOD desires for HIS Children to win in the game of life. HE is our coach and trials are our training sessions. GOD designs our training to prefect those HE has plans to use for HIS purpose. James wrote the book of James.

Who was James? He is the half-brother of JESUS.

We read in John 7:1-5: (What opinion did the half-brothers of JESUS have about HIM before HIS Passion?)

Some religious institutions teach otherwise but I believe that this James is the half-brother of JESUS. I know a number of years ago I had Catholic friends that were devastated that the Catholic church agreed that Mary, the Mother of JESUS, had other children.

What opinion did the half-brothers have of JESUS before HIS crucifixion and later after HIS resurrection?

7 After this, Jesus traveled in Galilee, since he did not want to travel in Judea because the Jews were trying to kill him. ² The Jewish Festival of Shelters^[a] was near. ³ So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea so that your disciples can see your works that you are doing. ⁴ For no one does anything in secret while he’s seeking public recognition. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” ⁵ (For not even his brothers believed in him.)

But guess who became believers after the resurrection of JESUS?

Let’s read Acts 1:14:

¹⁴ They all were continually united in prayer,^[b] along with the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

WOW!!! What a vital and radical difference the resurrection of JESUS made in the lives of the half-brothers of JESUS, as well as HIS disciples.

James, the half-brother of JESUS, became the leader of the Christian church in Jerusalem.

The Apostle Paul tells us in Galatians 1:17-19:

¹⁷ I did not go up to Jerusalem to those who had become apostles before me; instead, I went to Arabia and came back to Damascus.

¹⁸ Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas,^[e] and I stayed with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ But I didn’t see any of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 

Now to our focus scripture:

Let’s read James 1:1-4:

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ:

To the twelve tribes dispersed abroad.^[a]

James was writing to Jewish Christians who had been dispersed throughout the land. Thus, the term “twelve tribes dispersed abroad.” This refers to the diaspora or dispersion. This dispersion was brought about by the Jews who saw Christian Jews and Christians as a threat to Judaism. Christians and Christian Jews relocated to other areas and countries. This spread Christianity to other areas. Some consider this GOD’S way of spreading the Gospel Message to other countries.

In essence, Christians could not control what they were experiencing but they could control how they responded to their situation. The same is true today. When life hands us lemons, what can we do? James tells us to take what we have and learn from GOD what to do with it or them. Doing so, helps us to grow in our relationship with HIM and as we see HIS wisdom and power work through us, HIS Children, living and working in HIS vineyard draws us closer to HIM. GOD cares and HE is our coach. HIS desire is for us to be strong in HIM and endure or get to the other side of the things we face in life. HIS desire is for us to see, when we endure, we will get on the other side of the issue(s) we face in life and rejoice in HIM and see that we are conquerors through faith in HIM.  James continues -----

Greetings.

Trials and Maturity

² Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. ⁴ And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

In Proverbs 27:17, we read:

Iron sharpens iron,
and one person sharpens another.^[a]

It is interesting that James used the word, “consider.” James used the past tense for the word “consider.” Consider carries the idea that joy comes after the trial. Trials are designed to bring Spiritual maturity in our lives and into a deeper relationship with CHRIST. Trials refine our faith in the crucible of life.

James was/is telling Christians that whenever we experience various trials, it produces “endurance” and in turn when “endurance” has done its work, it results in maturity. In essence, trials cause us to seek GOD and in seeking GOD and interacting with GOD it produces Spiritual maturity. We are no longer tossed about like angry waves but learn to trust GOD in our lives.

The marriage ceremony is the highlight of every bride. The new couple to be, especially the bride to be, carefully plans every detail of their wedding day – her dress, their vows, the flowers, the food, the music, their honeymoon, etc. This is a special moment in the life of the new couple because they love each other so much. However, after the ceremony, the cutting of the cake and the honeymoon is when real love takes root and begins to build a foundation. Will that foundation be built upon sand or rock? Because the winds and rains will come in life. Glitches will likely come in most marriages and it is in these glitches where real love manifests itself. Dealing with these glitches will either result in a stronger marriage or not.

This is also true in the Christian life. Accepting JESUS as our Savior is just the beginning of building a solid foundation of walking with JESUS and being led by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

JESUS’ half-brother, James, told Christians to “count it great joy” when they experience various trials. The word “various” carries the idea of “variegated” or “multi-colored” and meaning Christians can expect all kinds of challenges in life. It is how we, as Christians, respond to these challenges is key.

The word “testing” carries the meaning of something being placed in a crucible and subjected to the refiner’s fire to purify it. When we get on the other side of the refining process one has “great joy.” The key is to hang in until the ordeal has run its course for it to have its “full effect.”

What is the “full effect?” It is, “so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” GOD knows how the trials of life shape our lives to achieve HIS Glory. Trials are not pleasant but are necessary to produce its “full effect.”

Trials come in many forms e.g., emotional, physical, spiritual, financial, social, marriage, dealing with aging parents, difficult fellow workers and the list goes on. Maturing in our faith in JESUS is often very difficult, just as growing into womanhood or manhood.  We who are in CHRIST go from the milk of the Word to the meat of the Word.

Let’s read James 1:5-8:

⁵ Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him or her. ⁶ But let him or her ask in faith without doubting.^[b] For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, ⁸ being double-minded and unstable in all his ways.^[c]

Once we learn to trust GOD, we go to GOD with confidence and ask HIM to give us the wisdom we need to deal with certain issues. The Greek word for wisdom carries the idea that wisdom is greater than knowledge. It also includes receiving GOD’S perspective on the trials believers are encountering. The key is faith in GOD, WHO is the source of wisdom. What did JESUS tell HIS disciples in Matthew 17:20:

“Because of your little faith,” he told them. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

JESUS made this statement after HIS disciples could not cast out a demon in a young boy. Faith is the key. It is not us thinking that we have to do it in our strength so that it will happen. No! It is when our relationship is such that we are one with JESUS and we are prompted to act, amazing things happen. It is not our faith in what we can do but our faith in what JESUS can do through us.

At the instant of salvation, all Spirit-born people are indwelled by the Holy Spirit. They become the temple for the Holy Spirit to dwell. GOD’S power resides within those who are Spirit-born. Do you believe that? Life becomes a learning experience and those who have experienced Spirit birth become the enemy of Satan. But those who are Spiritually born must keep in mind as recorded in 1 John 1:4:

⁴ You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you (JESUS) is greater than the one who is in the world (Satan). 

Those who are Spirit-born cannot be tossed about like a wave tossing a bottle here and there. When the storms of life come their anchor in JESUS holds.

James used the word “endurance.” Endurance carries the idea of the one being tested or subjected to a trial that holds up or bears up under the load the trial brings. When those who have been Spirit-born get through a trial, they have a deeper, stronger and solid relationship with GOD.

In verses 7 and 8, James makes it clear that ” ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, ⁸ being double-minded and unstable in all his ways.^[c]

Those who are double-minded and unstable reveal that their faith in GOD is not stable. They talk themselves in responding to the leadership of the Holy Spirit and then talk themselves out of it. Wishy Washy.   When a spirit-born person is led to take certain action, he or she must do it. GOD desires to show us that HE is sufficient to do more than we can ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 - ²⁰ Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us— When we experience GOD working in our lives, we experience revival in our lives that is beyond an emotional revival. It is a lasting Spiritual maturing.

This is the end result of trials. Trusting GOD in all situations.

Let’s read James 1:9-12:

⁹ Let the brother of humble circumstances boast in his exaltation, ¹⁰ but let the rich boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field. ¹¹ For the sun rises and, together with the scorching wind, dries up the grass; its flower falls off, and its beautiful appearance perishes. In the same way, the rich person will wither away while pursuing his activities.

The poor and the rich both have issues they have to deal with. The poor are rich in their relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS and should boast in that relationship. Their relationship in JESUS results in their sufficiency and Spiritual richness.

When it comes to life upon earth GOD has blessed the rich with material things but the rich will die like the poor. The rich will be held accountable on how they used their resources GOD has loaned to them in this life.  Both the rich and the poor will die and go into eternity. Both need JESUS as their Savior because their economic status is not a factor regarding where they will spend eternity. Both have to place their faith in JESUS.

¹² Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he (she) has stood the test he (she) will receive the crown of life that God^[d] has promised to those who love him.

James used the word “blessed” instead of “happy.” Blessed carries the idea of passing the test. Once we are on the other side of a test, “oh what a relief it is.” But during the test, the test has done its work, we have learned to trust GOD and receive the crown of life that GOD promises to those who love HIM.

When Spirit-born people go through testing they receive “the crown of life” that GOD promises to those who love HIM. Testing is no fun but it is rewarding when we get to the other side of the trial because we have overcome and experienced the presence of our LORD.

My prayer for all is that you will experience the strength of our LORD when you go through trials.

Keep in mind as recorded in Matthew 10:9-11:

⁹ Who among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him.

Oh, YES!!! How much more there is in living a Spirit-filled life upon earth as we serve our FATHER.

Blessings!!!