James 1
JonCoursonJames 1:1
James certainly doesn’t begin his epistle the way I would have. If I were James, I’m afraid I would have identified myself not as James, a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, but as James the brother of the Lord Jesus Christ! James, however, was a man who, although he was very straightforward, as we shall see, was also known as a man of tremendous humility. He doesn’t pull rank; he doesn’t drop names; he simply considers himself a servant. “The twelve tribes” is a reference to the Jewish people scattered throughout the world, who had come to a knowledge of the true Messiah and had become believers in Jesus.
James 1:2
Newer translations render this verse “Count it all joy when ye fall into various trials.” Why? Because the Greek word for both “trial” and “temptation” is the same. You see, what God will send or allow as a trial to strengthen our faith, Satan will seek to exploit to get us to sin. Conversely, what Satan throws our way as a temptation, God allows to be a trial. Satan wants to use the event to tear us down and wipe us out; God wants to use the same event to show us how faithful He is and how real He can be. Think of it this way: If Jerry, a master woodworker, invited me to sit in a chair he had made, I wouldn’t do so wondering if it would hold me up, but rather I’d marvel at how well it was crafted. If, on the other hand, Applegate Christian Fellowship’s youth director, Tad, invited me to sit in a chair, I would be leery, knowing it would probably either be pulled out from under me, or collapse underneath me. So, too, the chair that Satan seeks to pull out from under us is the very one God uses to show just how strong He can be. In the Book of Job, we see Satan trying to wipe Job out by afflicting him physically, causing him to lose his family, and ruining him financially. But God was proving something else. God was showing how faithful He would be. As a result, all of history would marvel in studying how, in the midst of what Satan meant for evil, God used it for good as He sustained Job all the way through and rewarded him ultimately. When a trial comes your way, Satan will be there the same day to try to get you to do what Mrs. Job suggested her husband doto curse God and die (Job_2:9). But God will be there as well, waiting to show you His strength in seeing you through.
James 1:3
Like the Jewish believers who were scattered throughout the Roman Empire and beyond, we’re to count it joy when we go through trials and face temptations. Why? Because seeing God’s faithfulness manifested in the situation, we’ll be made entire and complete; we’ll become mature. Maturity only comes through testing. Faith is made pure only when fiery trials burn away the dross.
James 1:5
If you lack wisdom, ask God in faith, and He will give it to you. How to Know What to Do A Topical Study of Jas_1:5-7 His father, who had been deeply loved and mightily used would be sorely missed. One of the greatest men in all of history, his father was a man who, in addition to being able to leap over walls physically, was so gifted musically that he not only composed songs, but he invented the instruments to play them. So courageous of heart was he that when he was but a teenager, he conquered a giant in battle, making him so popular that women sang songs about him in the streets. This one’s father, of course, was David. And now that David had passed from the scene, Solomon would step up and try to fill his father’s shoesa seemingly impossible task. After learning of his father’s death, Scripture tells us that Solomon headed for Gibeon, for in Gibeon was a tabernacle, a place to meet God. That night, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, saying, “Whatever you ask of Me, I’ll do for you” (see 2Ch_1:7). “Lord,” said Solomon, “I ask of You wisdom. I need to know how to go out and come in amongst these, Your people.” By God’s grace, this young man, who had tremendous responsibility suddenly placed upon him and very difficult obligations looming before him, was given the wisdom to ask for wisdom. So pleased was God with Solomon’s request that He said, “I will not only grant you wisdom greater than any other manbut I will give to you more wealth and fame than any other person has ever enjoyed, victory over your enemies, and length of days” (see 2Ch_1:11-12). In other words, by asking for wisdom, Solomon got everything else thrown in. Personified as a woman, wisdom says this: I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.Pro_8:17-21 Wisdom cries out to simple mendumb, unsophisticated, naive, common people like you and me, saying, “If you walk with me, I will cause you to have riches and success in all that you do” (see Pro_8:5). How do we get wisdom? The text before us says if any man lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all men generously. What does it mean to ask of Him? In Solomon’s day, in Old Testament times, if someone needed wisdom, for example concerning who to marry, where to move, what job to take, he would go to Jerusalem where he would find the high priest. As part of his vesture, the high priest wore a pouchlike breastplate upon which were twelve gems, each representing one of the tribes of Israel. It seems that these gems were instrumental in the dispensing of wisdom. You see, according to Exo_28:30, if one had need of wisdom or direction personally, or if the people had need corporately, the high priest would consult the Urim and the Thummim. Although we can’t say dogmatically what the Urim and the Thummim were, we do know what the words mean: “urim” means “light”; “thummim” means “perfection"perfect light to give direction. How did they work? It would seem as though the stones on the breastplate of the high priest that were linked to the Urim and the Thummim would light up in such a way that, using the letter of the tribe each represented, an answer would be spelled out. The problem was that, with only the high priest having the Urim and the Thummim, anyone having a question would have to travel all the way to Jerusalem and make an appointment with him to get an answer. Getting wisdom was not an easy thing to do! There’s an infinitely better way for you and me to get light and perfection, for Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world” (Joh_8:12); and Paul said in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col_2:3). Thus, Jesus fulfills the Urim and Thummim perfectly. We go to the One who is Light personified, who is Wisdom incarnate, and say, “Lord, what should I do in this situation?” How does He answer? I suggest three ways… Through His People It was God’s peoplethe twelve tribes of Israelwho symbolically flashed the message on the breastplate of the high priest. So, too, Scripture says God’s people are jewels in His crown (Zec_9:16). You may not feel like a gem; you may not think the person sitting next to you is of very much valuebut on the heart of our High Priest, Jesus Christ, we are just that. Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.Pro_11:14 Where there is no counsel, people fallor literally, stumblein the dark. But as I talk with my brothers, as I share with God’s people, the light shines through them in the counsel they give to me. Through His Word Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.Psa_119:105, Psa_119:130 I can’t tell you how many times when, wondering what I should do or which way I should go, I’ll hear someone share from the Word on the radio, and it speaks directly to my situation. Or I’ll open the Scriptures, a commentary, or a devotional book and find the Word of God giving perfect light to me. Upon Our Hearts But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.Jer_31:33 Paul picks up this same idea when he says, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart” (Col_3:15). The word translated “rule” is an interesting one. A term linked to sports, it was used with regard to officiating or umpiring. In other words, the peace of Christ will call “Safe!” or “Out!” in your heart, giving you light and direction. I find that these three avenues work together very harmoniously: Through God’s people there is safety. In God’s Word there is light. Upon my heart, He’ll write His will. So I can know whether I should make that move or take that job by simply asking the Lord, knowing He’ll make His will known to me through His people, in the Word, or upon my heart if I ask in faith. What does it mean to ask in faith? The integrity of the upright shall guide them…Pro_11:3 The Hebrew word translated “integrity” is tummahfrom the same word as thummim. In other words, direction and integrity are linked together. What does the word “integrity” mean? It means “integrated” or “single.” Thus, the single-minded man of integrity says, “Father, I’m not asking for wisdom out of curiosity. I’m committed to doing what You tell me.” Anyone who’s not sure if he’s really going to follow through is double-minded and should not expect to receive direction from the Lord. But to the man who asks in integrity, the man who is single in purpose and heart, God will give wisdom generously. “But what if I misinterpret His will on my heart, through His people, or in the Word?” you ask. I believe the answer lies in Genesis 20where we see the first mention of integrity in the Bible. Eager to become acquainted with the newest acquisition to his harem, Abimelech looked forward to meeting Sarahuntil God appeared to him in a dream, saying, “The woman you’ve taken is another man’s wife.” “In the integrity of my heart I have done this,” Abimelech answered. “Yea, I know thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart, for I also withheld thee from sinning against Me. Therefore I allowed thee not to touch her,” the Lord replied. What’s being said here is wonderful, for God is saying, “Abimelech, you made a mistake. But your heart was right, so I protected you in the decision you made.” This means that when I ask God to give me wisdom, He gives me direction through His people, in His Word, and upon my heart. But even if I don’t hear correctly and make a wrong decision, if my heart is right, the Lord will protect me and correct me just as He did Abimelech. So many people never move out because of the paralysis of analysis. That is, they’re always analyzing a situation to determine what they should do. The Genesis 20 account frees us from this, for if our hearts are right, we can move ahead, knowing that He will protect us even if we’re moving in the wrong direction. Dear saint, as you pray today, I encourage you to do what you know, and you’ll know what to do. You know that you should be in fellowship Sunday morning, studying the Word with your brothers and sisters. I don’t know what I’m to do tomorrow. I don’t know what’s ahead for me next month or next year. I simply know what I’m supposed to do today. So I do what I know today, and when tomorrow comes, I’ll know what to do then. You will too. If you lack wisdom, ask of God. And if you do that in faith, you’ll be doing what you know. Then through His people, through His Word, and through His will upon your heart, you’ll know what to do as you walk in the Light of the Perfect One, Jesus Christ.
James 1:9
The Jewish Christians to whom James is writing would be well aware of an enemy that posed a threat to the people of God throughout their history. Led by giants like Goliath, the Philistines hassled the Jews continually. In our day, we don’t fear Philistines, but it seems that finances bring us into as many trials and testing points. I don’t know of a man or a woman who either at some point or regularly doesn’t deal with a financial trial, wondering how to make ends meet. Whether individually, or as a church family corporately, finances have proven to be the Philistine that stomps and threatens us continually. Knowing this, James reminds us that regardless of our financial situation on earth, we’re exalted, elevated above the world system because we’re part of a kingdom whose streets are paved with gold. Thus, whether we’re worried about poverty or weighed down with riches, we can be absolutely free if we keep a heavenly perspective.
James 1:12
Trials result not only in spiritual maturity but also in crowns eternally. Granted, you may not think crowns are a big deal nowbut I guarantee you will in heaven, for your crown will determine whether you’ll rule over ten cities, five cities, or no cities in heaven (Luk_19:11-27). When you face trials and temptations, if you stay close to the Lord, you will hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” (see Mat_25:21) and you will receive the crown of life specifically reserved for those who don’t walk away from Him in trials or temptations.
James 1:13
Regarding the entire arena of trials and temptations, understand this: God will allow a trial; Satan will come with a temptation. The trial may be financial; the temptation may be cocaine to escape the pressure. It’s not God who brings the cocaine your way. It’s not God who tempts you with pornography. No, God simply allows the trial to come. It’s Satan who brings the temptation. Never, ever be mistaken on this point. The trial of our faith is to prove the faithfulness of God. It is never a temptation or an enticement to sin. Therefore, if you’re half-drunk in a bar, the guy offering you free drugs is not God’s way of saying, “I’m going to prove how faithful I am by sending this guy your way.” No! That’s a temptation you brought on yourself by placing yourself in that situation in the first place.
James 1:14
Sin always brings forth death. Every time. Sin will kill relationships. It will destroy happiness. It will ruin health. When you want to tell kids how serious sin is and what sin does, the best thing you can do is take them to the Cross of Calvary and say, “Look at this wonderful, perfect, loving Person and see Him on the Cross in agony and pain and blood. It was when Jesus became sin for us that He died, for sin always brings death.”
James 1:16
“Don’t make a mistake about this,” James says. Sin always results in death and tragedy. Paul would put it this way: Be not deceived. God is not mocked. Whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap (see Gal_6:7).
James 1:17
The good gifts, the perfect things, and the cool stuff that come your way are solely because of God’s grace and kindness and benevolence. You might be a gifted musician, an intelligent person, a hard worker. Those are gifts from God, by grace, that have nothing to do with your earning them. Therefore, there’s no room for us to take credit for anything we are able to perform or achieve. Everything that is wonderful in your life is because of God’s grace to you. Not only is God good in the gifts He gives, but in who He is. In Him there is no variableness or shadow of turning. That is, He’s not moody. He doesn’t have bad days. He’s not generous with me one day, but grouchy the nextas I can so often be. We’re variable. We go up and down. God doesn’t. He can be nothing but good. He doesn’t react to me according to how I’m doing with Him. He is faithful when I am faithless (2Ti_2:13). He is good when I am grumpy. He doesn’t change. He’s locked into His nature. That’s why I love the Lord so much. He’s solid as a Rock. And I can just enjoy Him without worrying about Him being ticked with me or tired of me. He gives nothing but good gifts, for He is a good God.
James 1:19
In talking to the believers dispersed throughout the Roman Empire, undergoing unbelievable persecution, James says, “Don’t forget that God is good. And what’s happening in you is going to work for good ultimately. Therefore, don’t be cynical; don’t be quick to complain about your situation. Instead, stop speaking and start listeningand you’ll hear God’s voice in your trial.”
James 1:20
I hope you have this verse underlinedat least mentallyfor being ticked-off and hot under the collar doesn’t accomplish anything that proves to be right. Ever.
James 1:21
Referring to the Word of God, “Let every man be swift to hear,” James instructed us in verse nineteen. “But I can’t hear God’s Word to me,” we say. Perhaps you can’t hear the Word of God for you because your ears are clogged up with “filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness"plain old sin. If I’m filling my ears with the music and the scenes, gossip, and junk of the world, I can’t hear properly. I need to get rid of that stuff before I can really be tuned in to God’s frequency. Perhaps I can’t hear the Word of the Lord because my mind is made up. James tells us we are to receive the Word with meekness, the implication being, “Lord, I’m in this trial or temptation or difficulty, and I need direction from You. I need Your Word to direct me, or I’m not going to do well. Therefore, I come to You not with my own agenda or plan, but meekly. Whatever You say, that’s what I’ll do.” Many people don’t hear from the Lord when they read the Word of God because they lack a spirit of meekness before Him.
James 1:22
Third, perhaps we can’t hear from the Lord because we are mixed up. You see, so many times our tendency is to think that just because we’re reading the Word, we’re obeying itat least that’s the way it is with me. A lot of times I’ll hear a sermon or read a book and I’ll say, “Right on. I agree with that.” But I deceive myself if, having seen what needs to be taken care of in the mirror of the Word, I then don’t do it. One of the great dangers for us who love the Word is to falsely assume that simply agreeing that we should pray means we’re praying; or knowing we should worship makes us worshipers. James clearly warns us not to think that seeing our reflection properly means we’re doers of the Word automatically. If the Lord shows you in the Word that you need to praise Him, don’t say, “Good point"but start praising Him right then! If the Lord shows you in the Word that you need to get right with a brother, don’t say, “Someday"do it right then. Be a doer of the Word. With ears clogged up, mind made up, or all mixed up, we won’t hear from the Lord. But reading the Word with meekness and then obeying it is the best hearing aid there is.
James 1:26
There’s a teaching currently making the rounds that says, “Be honest with God. Tell Him what you really feel. Tell Him you’re ticked off.” I shudder at such teaching. Oh, it might be popular psychologically, but it’s not right biblically. A truly religious man, a deep man, does not pop off and throw temper tantrums at God. God is God, and we’re not. God is good, and we’re not. If there are problems in our lives, He’s not wrong. We are.
James 1:27
This verse is Applegate Christian Fellowship’s mission statement for its ministry to handicapped orphans in Mexico. I pray it is a practical mission statement for our own lives as wellfor James cuts to the bottom line here when he says that rather than being a matter of compromise and verbosity, true religion is a matter of purity and humility.