Scripture: James 1:2-15
Considering the state that our world is currently
in, not to mention the problems that our nation, as well as our denomination
are experiencing, I thought that it may be time to consider some moral advice
that God has offered us in scripture.
And I have chosen the Book of James to be our guide for the next few
weeks.
Of course, those who would probably need scriptural guidance
the most would be the same ones who would reject it the quickest! I heard some comments recently from a
graduate of Harvard University describing how far it had fallen from its original
standards. As an example, the
university’s crest displays three books representing the Old Testament, the New
Testament, and the Testament that Christ will bring when He returns on His Day
of Judgment. Scripture, and the return
of Christ, have all but been removed from their educational focus. Furthermore, I heard that even the Lead
Chaplain for the institution is a self-proclaimed atheist! And this from an alumnus of Harvard, not just
some person with an ax to grind!
Of course, there are some areas of our nation, as
well as the world, where Christianity is still strong, if not prominent, which
is encouraging. But for the most part,
faith is taking a back seat to government agenda and social ideology, and the
world’s evil can even be seen creeping into the Church of today.
Perhaps it's time for the Church to once again take a stand against
the ways of the world, and for the ways of Almighty God. And why did I choose James for this lesson? Throughout his book, he presents a compelling
comparison between the evil that exists all around us, and the goodness that
God offers to all who will trust in Him and His ways! So let’s begin our observation of those
differences with some of the advice and encouragement that James has prepared
for us.
Read James 1:2-8
When James speaks of perseverance in this passage,
he isn’t encouraging us to stay on track with our own desires and plans,
but rather with the plan that God is working out for us and for our betterment. In Romans 5:1-5, Paul
wrote about perseverance and all that it can bring to our lives. It seeks faith in spite of all that may come
against us as we serve, believe, and trust in God’s blessings, even when the
world’s ways seem so much simpler, brighter and easier! In 1 Peter 1:6-9, he
writes “7 These
have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith may result in
praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” Faith in the divine hope will always be of
far greater value than anything that the world can provide, even when the
struggles of worldly oppression are factored in.
Of course, our dedication to remain true to the word
of God is not intended to show others just how committed to the Lord we truly
are. It is not a bragging point – it’s a
means to show honor to the one who sees us through the trials and brings us to
the fulfillment of true faith.
In addition, James tells us that if we lack for
anything in our walk of faith, we should pray for God’s benevolence and gifts
to see us through. But even as we pray,
we must also believe that God can, and will, provide for all of our needs –
after all, faith and prayer must always go hand in hand. It’s about trusting in His understanding and
seeking His means and reality for our lives.
Read James 1:9-12
In these verses, James continues with his thoughts
on perseverance, and takes exception to the world’s attitude toward what is
preferable and what is objectionable.
The world would say that power, authority and prestige is what makes for
a good and successful life, but James tells us that when we are humble in life,
that is what makes for a victory in God.
What kind of life do we really desire? One that is praised and honored by humanity,
or one that is blessed and glorified by Almighty God? James reminds us that the admiration of humanity
will fade like the flowers of the field, while the one who stands the test of sinful
men in order to bring glory to the true Authority, will be known as a
perseverant person, and will be remembered as one who loves the Lord.
Perseverance!
Staying true to divine Truth! Rejecting
human opinion! Resisting the temptations
of evil that constantly keep us under attack!
These are the signs of a person of God.
But those who seek after, and depend upon the riches of earth will
quickly discover that their hopes are subject to the winds and storms of this
life, and will soon lose all when confronted by these other worldly forces.
Read James 1:13-15
James now goes on to address the tests and
temptations that try to draw us away from Godly ways, and he makes a very
important and interesting point. Those
who believe that God has been testing them throughout their life need to read
this passage! James tells us that the
Lord never tests us, nor tempts us! Those trials are under the sole control of
Satan.
James has set the record straight! Even though we read time and time again in
scripture that God had tested someone, James tells us that this was a
misconception. “..God cannot be
tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone;”
It may be more accurate to say that God challenges us to reconsider the
attitudes and standards that we are living under; that He allows us to enter
into a situation that leads us to examine the strength and truth of our faith;
that He allows Satan to tempt and test us to prove a point to the evil one.
(see the book of Job, and Luke 4:1-13 – where
we discover that even Jesus was tempted by Satan!)
And the reverse is also true – in Deuteronomy 6:16, we read that we are not to put God to the
test either! Now, this does not preclude
our asking the Lord for a sign so that we are certain that it is truly Him who
is asking us to follow in a certain way and to a certain task. In scripture, both Old and New Testaments,
there are a number of passages that refer to “casting lots”, which was a means
to ascertain God’s agreement in a certain decision. God will never refuse us certainty when it
comes to following His will in our life.
Whatever it takes to convince us that He truly desires that we should
walk closely with Him, He will do.
James goes on to say that any tempting that we may
find ourselves in is usually because of our own “evil desire”. And that it is
Satan who is doing the tempting. And in
the last verse of today’s passage, James tells us that when we succumb to
temptation, our desires turn to evil, which will then lead us to sinful ways,
and those will lead us to death. The
pleasures of earth don’t last very long, so they!
So I believe that the lessons for today are this – First,
strive to remain true to God’s call on our lives, and never let the world sway
you by their lies. Second, listen the
Lord when He shows you what the better life is all about, and stay clear of the
world’s standards of excellence. Third,
when we feel as though our faith is being tested, remember that it is Satan who
is trying to lead us away from the eternal truth of God, and treat his words as
the deceitfulness that they are.
In Thomas Payne’s pamphlet that begins “These are
the times that try men’s souls”, we read “Tyranny, like hell, is not
easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the
conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem
too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value.” Of course, when this 18th century
philosopher wrote these words in December 1776, he was writing about political and
national freedom, but his words are just as appropriate and challenging for us
in our Christian faith. Our struggles in
this life may seem to be overwhelming at times, but faith in God – faith in His
truth and authority – will see us through each and every trial that Satan’s
world can throw at us.
May we humbly stand strong in our Lord Jesus
throughout our days, regardless of what the world offers us. Amen.
