James 1

Rejoice in Suffering & Cling to Him!

James 1 wastes no time when it comes to teaching us how we should live and think as Christians. In the first few verses as well as verse 12 James states,

James 1:2-4, 12 “2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” “12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

I know what you're thinking, trials do NOT bring joy to anyone. But what James is trying to communicate is that we should be grateful for these trials because they strengthen us as Christians! Having the ability to look at the big picture and trust that God is in control is crucial to being able to let the trials that we face instill wisdom and strength in us. The perseverance, trials, and joy James speaks about can be found in numerous places in the Bible, but the most important part about this lesson is being able to lean on the Lord in these trials. (1 Chronicles 1:11) James then goes on to speak about how whatever we are lacking, we can ask the Lord to bless us with it (Verses 5-8). Whether it be wisdom, knowledge, strength, etc. asking of these things must be done in FULL faith that the Lord will provide.

In verses 13-15 James warns us of the impact and hurt that our sin can have on us. We learn that in life we are not tempted by God, but by the devil. These temptations lead to sin, which then leads to bad habits, which then takes us down a dark road we don’t want to be on. In verses 16-17 James says,

James 1: 16-17 “16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Assuring us that God is all things good, holy, and pure. A part I want to highlight is when James says, “who does not change like shifting shadows”. Throughout all of our life and all of eternity, God is the same yesterday, today and forever! (Hebrews 13:8). He does NOT change like seasons we go through in life, or the people we encounter, or even the scientific Earth itself. His identity, his love, his power, and his truth remains the SAME!

Doing the Word

Again, James wastes NO time! He starts off the second portion of James 1 with,

James 1: 19-20, “19 My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, 20 for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.”

This is a hard pill to swallow for us control freaks, quick tempered, and chatty Kathy’s. Learning to be calm, cool, and collective in situations like Jesus was can be difficult in the moment. Our emotions are valid, but how we express them can either point people to God or away from Him. James then urges us to not only read the Bible and forget about it but to live it out in our everyday lives.

James 1:22, “22 But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

I’m going to be completely honest, the example James uses of how we should be doers of the Word took me a while to understand. The best way I can explain verses 23-25 is this; James is saying that if we look in the “mirror” (The Bible), read it and know it. Then close our Bible and turn around and live the same way we have been; it does nothing. As we read our Bible we must not only study it but also learn to apply it to our lives and listen to what the Lord is speaking to us through his Word. Then as we go through our day, we must remind ourselves of the truth we have read and live it!

James 1: 23-25, “23 Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his own face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of person he was. 25 But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works—this person will be blessed in what he does.”

The first book of James is filled with tough love, reflection, and instruction, but is also filled with hope, encouragement, and life! I hope you've enjoyed our first week in our study of James! I pray that you open your heart to all that the Lord wants to teach you this month. I pray that we will be reminded of the amazing mercy and grace God gives us each day! Join us March 5th for James 2!

Lots of Love,

Georgia Zeleskey