Joy in Trials

James Bible Study

Intro

Author - Believed to be James, the half-brother of Jesus. Based on comments from Josephus, that supported the type of life style of James, and the style of writing.

There are two James who possibly could be the author. James, the son of Alpheus (one of the apostles) is not well known outside of his mention in the gospels, and therefore the majority believe it to be James, the half-brother of Jesus.

Spurgeon and J. Vernon McGee confirm this theory, although Matthew Henry believed it to be James, son of Alpheus....

The fact that he introduces himself as James, with no further description would indicate he was well known. James, the half-brother of Jesus was well known as well as leader of the church in Jerusalem. His style of teaching is also similar to Jesus’ and has many parallels to His teachings in Matthew.

Galatians 1:19 to refer to James, brother of Jesus who Paul went to see in Jerusalem.

When was it written - Between AD 48-52. It was the first of the epistles written, 2-5 years before any of Paul’s epistles.

Who is it addressing?

Primarily the believers (predominately Jewish) who were dispersed among the nations.

James was the leader of the Church in Jerusalem - made up of mostly Jewish Christians. He was known by historians as James the Just, because of his role in mediating disputes.

He continued to live as a Jew, but with the understanding of Christ Jesus. Josephus tells us that James had a very good reputation for devotion to the law among Jews but was martyred for witnessing for his Messiah when this was forbidden.

Why was it written?

To provide believers with a practical guide on living a life of faith andworks and an explanation of how to live.

James provides a method to frame our walk - a prism to look through if you will. It covers several unpopular topics - controlling your tongue, showing favoritism to the rich, and the need to show our faith by our works.

James is focused on godly living rather than religious theories, emphasizing ethical living, adherence to moral law, not ceremonial law. And we know ceremonial law leads to legalism – where you get caught up in the acts of religion vs the reason behind the acts.

According to Spurgeon - The message of James speaks especially to those who are inclined to try to talk rather than walk their way into heaven.

Some would say James’ teaching is at odds with the teachings of Paul regarding faith vs works. But James actually accentuates and compliments Paul’s message, and gives us practical ideas of how to put our faith into our works. Actually, James predates the Pauline epistles by between 2-5 years depending on how you date the writing of this epistle.

Spurgeon - Also, James showed believers that their obedience to God’s moral standards is an indication of a living faith, which is a life lived in step with the one who met the demands of the law.

Jas 2:17 – 18 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

Theme of James: God tests faith by trials; God does not test with evil; God tests faith by THE Word, not by man’s words

And that the testing of our faith is for our benefit – to encourage us.

Greeting to the Twelve Tribes

1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.

Bondservant: doulos - Greek, definitions provide clearer understanding of the word, which is lost on us Americans: (from BLB.org)

1. a. slave, bondman, man of servile condition

b. one who gives himself up to another's will those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men

c. devoted to another to the disregard of one's own interests

2. a servant, attendant

A bondslave was just that, one who lived completely for his master. He had no rights of ownership, could not hold title to anything, everything he had belonged to his master. He was there only to serve.

I think it is interesting that James did not believe Jesus was the messiah during his earthly ministry (John 7:3-5). Probably because he was His big brother – how can my family member be the Messiah? Family is often the hardest to reach. He only became a believer after Jesus’ resurrection (Acts 1:14). James’ relationship to his brother had changed dramatically.

By using the phrase G-d and Lord Jesus he puts Jesus on the same level as G-d, as equal with G-d, confirming Jesus as part of the G-d head.

James also uses the full name and title for Jesus - Lord Jesus Christ - He is our Lord or master, name is Jesus, his title is the Christ or Messiah.

The word for Lord here is the Greek word kyrios – master

Do we act as if Jesus is our master?

tribes - people/nation - typically referring to 12 tribes of Israel.

scattered abroad - diaspora - scattered throughout the Roman world by the persecution from the leaders of the synagogues – probably Paul.

greetings - chairo - to be cheerful, calm or happy. used as a greeting typical Greek greeting.

The subtitle of this section is “Profiting from Trials”

Profiting from Trials - this section is meant for our reassurance that there is a purpose to trials

James is discussing our attitude towards trials, and encouraging us to have the right attitude.

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

Pastor Chuck talks about it this way: “We are constantly faced with temptations. It's just a part of life. And in each temptation there has to be a decision on our part, whether or not we are going to walk in the flesh or to walk in the Spirit. For temptation is any situation that would draw me into the flesh and into a fleshly reaction. I have to choose. Will I walk after the flesh? Will I walk after the Spirit? And we realize that there are all kinds of temptation. They come from all directions.”

BBC: “They (trials) are inevitable. James does not say “if you fall into various trials” but when. We can never get away from them. The question is, “What are we going to do about them?””

Notice we are to count it all joy – that means it is our choice how we respond to trials or temptations. G-d does not tempt us to do evil, he does it to test our faith –

Gen 22:1 - Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” G-d was asking Abraham if he trusted Him.

Job 5:17 - Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth or chastens…Why is that? It means He loves us enough to want to correct our behavior.

V2 My brethren - here James is identifying with us... we are brothers - either in physical or spiritual sense. He is no different.

count it all joy -

count - consider, think

joy - chara - rejoice that G-d is testing us – again, it is a choice we need to make.

when you fall into various trials - fall into - come across, it happens...

trials - peirasmos - a putting to proof by experiment - in otherwords, trials are a way to prove your faith to yourself.

I Pet 1:6 -7 - Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Acts 5:41 - So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name - Are we ready to rejoice after being disciplined by the courts? Just prior to this, Peter’s answer to the Sanhedrin was we were to obey G-d rather than man.

Joy is an un-characteristic way to respond to trials/temptations. Consider using this a guide for ourselves – how do we respond to trials? Do we choose to have joy? (Jesus, others, yourself.) I know I have a long way to go.

knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

This is the purpose of trials – G-d is using it for our benefit, not as some perverted deity that takes pleasure in tormenting us.

knowing - ginosko - to know, understand. this is meant to re-assure us that there is a purpose, reason behind the trial.

testing - dokimion - the proving, or by implication trustworthiness.

faith – pistis -confidence; what is believed, teaching

produces - katergazomai - accomplishes, to work out,

patience - hypomone - which is steadfastness, constancy, endurance.

We mustn’t think we’ve disappointed G-d when we fail, G-d knew we would. We are disappointed in ourselves – we thought we were past that phase, etc. But G-d is there to forgive us, and we need to forgive ourselves in order to continue our growth.

Spurgeon – “Believers who have endured a great deal of affliction exhibit a sort of mellowness that you never see in other people. It cannot be mistaken or imitated.”

We need to remember our faith is the target of trials - Satan would love to destroy our faith.

What did the Nefarious say in the movie? – his goal is to take as many people with them.

The other part of this is that we need to learn to wait on G-d. This is the hard part. But, waiting on G-d is what develops patience. I am frustrated that Claire has not been healed – and I want to know when. But, it is up to G-d, and we are coming to accept that. Maybe that’s the point….

Concerning the trials we are going thru - JVM points this out: “He also wants to give assurance to His children. We should not regard our trials as evidence that we are not His children but rather as proof positive of our faith.”

4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

perfect - teleios - Brought to its end, finished, wanting nothing necessary to completeness.

Complete - holokleros -complete in all its parts, whole.

lacking - leipo - wanting,

This is the whole point – G-d is trying to bring us to maturity. We need to stop our petulant complaining, and realize that it is for our good – however hard it seems.

Peace comes through submission to the will of God.

JVM: “The very interesting thing is that patience is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. You will never become patient by trying to be patient, but neither will the Holy Spirit place it on a silver platter and offer it to you as a gift. Patience comes through suffering and testing.”

Romans 5:3-4: “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope”

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Wisdom - the varied knowledge of things human and divine, acquired by acuteness and experience, and summed up in maxims and proverbs

JVM: “Wisdom is the exercise and practical use of knowledge. Many people have knowledge, but they do not have any practical sense whatsoever. Wisdom is to know how to act under certain circumstances of testing, of trial, or when problems or questions arise. Life is filled with these, and you and I need wisdom from God.”

Pro 2:3-6- Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;

Do we really seek Him? This is work… not just a casual reading and asking. We need to read His word, and take the words of proverbs seriously – work at it.

This is work! We have to work at it, not expect to just happen.

How do we work at it? Study the word, meditate on it, think about it through out the day.

without reproach or reviling

liberally- sincerely, bountifully

without reproach- from Merriam’s dictionary - an expression of rebuke or disapproval – in other words - G-d will not be upset with us if we ask for wisdom,.

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

Strongs G4102 - Faith - the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ.

J Vernon McGee puts it this way:

We say, “I believe God is going to work this out,” but then we jump at it ourselves and make our own decision. So often I turn a problem over to the Lord and believe Him, but then the next day I do not believe Him. I decide that nothing has shown up by way of solution, so I will solve it myself

Mark 11:23-24 - 23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

That faith – believing – is the hardest part of being a Christian (to me).

What is faith?

Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Mathew Henry provides a good understanding of this section with this: “To be sometimes lifted up by faith, and then thrown down again by distrust—to mount sometimes towards the heavens, with an intention to secure glory, and honor, and immortality, and then to sink again in seeking the ease of the body, or the enjoyments of this world—this is very fitly and elegantly compared to a wave of the sea, that rises and falls, swells and sinks, just as the wind tosses it higher or lower, that way or this.”

James is saying that we need to be consistent in our faith – not driven by doubts.

7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

If you are going to work out your problem for yourself, then God cannot work it out for you. Instead of going like a bull into a china shop and trying to work something out, why not turn it over to God? (Yes I know, Myth Busters busted the bull in a china shop theory, but the saying is still good.)

8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Double minded - means you have two minds - uncertain.

JVM: “This was Israel’s big problem. Hosea said Israel was like a silly dove. She first flew off to Egypt seeking help, and then she flew to Assyria. She turned first to one and then to the other, but she did not turn to God. Many times when a problem comes up we go here and there trying to solve it, until it occurs to us that we have never taken it to God.”

They thought their help would come from Egypt, and when they couldn’t help, went to Assyria, not trusting G-d to work it out.

A quote to think about:

“From the very nature of their conduct may be estimated the quality of their faith. In their discipline we have an index of their doctrine.” Tertullian