Truals

James 1

James 1:2 CSB

Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials,

Trials

James 1

What were the “trials” that James’s readers were enduring? Poverty must certainly have been prominent among them.

He encourages them to count it as Joy when they go through. The question is why and who do we do this?

“James,” as we argued in the Introduction, is the “brother of the Lord” mentioned by Paul in Gal. 1:19

And Gal. 1:19 suggests that Paul, at least, viewed James as an apostle: “I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother.”1

1 The Greek for “only” is ei mē, “except,” and probably refers to the entire previous statement: “[Besides Peter] I saw none of the other apostles except James.” See, e.g., R. N. Longenecker, Galatians (Waco, Tex.: Word, 1990), 38.(cf. also Gal. 2:9, 12; 1 Cor. 15:7), the James who was leader of the early church in Jerusalem (Acts 12:17; 15:13; 21:18).

Special relationship to Jesus Probably because being a brother of Jesus gave James no authority to admonish other Christians as he does in this letter. What qualified James to write such a letter was not his physical relationship to Jesus but his spiritual relationship.

•Trials are part of the journey.

We would not expect James to say much about the readers’ situation, since this is information they all share.

He encourages them to count it as Joy when they go through. 1:2-4

The question is why and how do we do this?

James is writing because the church is facing trials

Paul and Peter

Romans 5:1–5 (ESV)

1Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,

4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,

5and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

1 Peter 1:5–7 (ESV)

5who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,

7so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

•Trials are important for the life of the believer.

exhorts them to ask in faith for wisdom (1:5–8);

We like flying over storms

(Psalm 55:1–7 (CSB)

1God, listen to my prayer and do not hide from my plea for help.

2Pay attention to me and answer me. I am restless and in turmoil with my complaint,

3because of the enemy’s words, because of the pressure of the wicked. For they bring down disaster on me and harass me in anger.

4My heart shudders within me; terrors of death sweep over me.

5Fear and trembling grip me; horror has overwhelmed me.

6I said, “If only I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and find rest.

7How far away I would flee; I would stay in the wilderness. Selah

Feeding the 5000

Jesus quiets the storm

The fiery furnest

•Double minded behavior is a no no.

_+The Pursuit of Spiritual Wholeness

Have you experienced trials that you know came to make you better?

In what ways do you notice others being double minded?