We will be studying the book of James.
Apostle James addressed this letter to the group of churches in different cities.
He wrote in verse 1 that this is to the 12 tribes scattered among the nations. You see, unlike Paul who was a minister unto the gentiles, James was the guy running the gospel show in Judea. His primary focus was on the Jews.
So he goes here talking to the tribes of Israel.
Sweetheart, let me take you through a bit of history. At the time of this letter was written (AD45, which makes it the oldest book in the new testament), a large population of original Jews were scattered all over the world out of Messopotamia to as far as Asia minor and Southern Africa beyond the Ethiopian empire and beyond the Euphrates up north.
This was about 4 centuries after the exile into Babylon and dejection of the remnants in Israel and 2 decades after the rise of the Roman empire which saw the total destruction of the temple in Jerusalem and further dispersing of the Jews into new Alexandrian cities.
So when James the just as he was called wrote to these people, he is contending with the conflicting new cultures in their heads and as well the over zealousness of the new faith proclaimers.
Being aware that their presence in foreign lands with alien gods and religions presents a handful of troubles for Jewish Christians, he begins his letter by telling them to not lose faith when faces with diverse challenges. This is only a testing of their faiths.
As Christians we need to be constantly aware that each time we face a tough situation that makes it seem as if God isn't on our side any more, it is only a test of how much we trust God to know better.
He has said he will never leave us or forsake us. Hr has told us he is the God that watches over us and rewarder of those that diligently seek him. We know he is the God that sees the ending from the beginning. Now it is not enough to know these things, we must know to let that awareness stay in our heads during trying times.
This is what it means to have faith in God. You see, faith is not a feeling or a sign. Faith is a knowing. It is making God and his word our reality over what we are going through.
So James says that if one is able to go through trials and come out of it shinning, one thing that has been gained is the ability to persevere through the next phase of trials which is obviously going to be tougher.
This is knowing that the God that has led you through the previous trial is big enough to take you through this present one. Life is a series of one trial or challenge after another. This is true for everyone, whether you believe in Jesus or a lump of clay at the back of your compound.
What James is saying here is, as a Christian, your faith gives you perseverance and perseverance is what brings you to the full state of spiritual maturity where you no longer lack anything.
In verse 5 he says that if wisdom is what is lacking, then one should just ask God.
When we ask God for wisdom or anything, we must not entertain any doubt in our heart about us getting the request met. Anyone who asks and doubts is not fit to receive.
If you ask God for wisdom, then believe you are wise and begin to act wise. Stop thinking you are limited in wisdom. That's what king Solomon did (though you know I'm not much of his fan). He asked God for wisdom and when it was time judge in wisdom he just trusted his judgement as one who God has given wisdom.
I so love the point he made in verses 9-11.
He says the lowly guy has to take pride in what makes him big and the big guy take pride in what makes him low.
If you think life has knocked you to the curb, look deep within, there must be something about you that is worth celebrating. Something commendable and admirable. James says the little guy should take pride in those things. These are one of the verses that make the bible the best material against depression. Anyone in a position where they are thinking Sir life is worth nothing can read this and be lifted.
Then he also says to the person who thinks he's balling. Hey dude, look here. Your pride is not in your possessions or what you know but rather in what makes you humbled. This is critical because when we think we are flying is when we lose our wings.
A man cannot keep winning unless he discovers how to keep finding reasons why he can lose. That way, his pride is not in what makes him win but in what could cause him to lose. This echoes what Paul says to the church in Corinth. See 2 Cor.12:9-11 and compare the thoughts. God's strength can only be made perfect in what makes us weak.
The man that tinks he's high will not seek God if he can't find a weak point of his life and if he does not seek God the it's only a matter of time before he falls.
Hence it makes
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