James 2:14-26: The Proof of a Genuine Faith

1. James and Wisdom (vv. 2-8)

James discusses trials as producing maturity. Lacking nothing.

No mistake that He then mentions lacking wisdom in v. 5

Proverbs 1:7 (ESV)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;

fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

I don’t think James accidentally includes the idea of wisdom.

The Biblical portrait of wisdom is set against folly (Proverbs)

Wisdom is the way by which mankind remain upright/righteous

Psalm 119:9 “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.”

It should not surprise us, then, when James, later on, begins to discuss doing the Word. But I think these ideas today are intimately tied to wisdom for steadfastness in trials.

2. Wisdom and Wealth:

The lowly/poor are to boast in their exaltation. Not Earthly, but in Christ!

Not boast verbally, but find strength and protection in it.

The Rich are to boast in their humiliation. WHY?

Their humiliation being the aforementioned trials, because their riches do not help them.

Isaiah 40:8 (ESV)

The grass withers, the flower fades,

but the word of our God will stand forever.

James says this: “You who are poor, do not tremble in the face of your trials; you are with Christ! And you who are rich, your money/status cannot help you; all men pass away. Boast then, find strength then, in that which does help.

And that help is the same by which the poor are exalted - Christ Jesus and His Gospel!

James is calling them to the same thing that Solomon does in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes - reliance on God over self.

This is the wisdom of James: The real wealth (for believers) is trusting Christ. It is the one who trusts Him who will remain steadfast. They receive the crown of life - love God.

3. Wisdom and Want:

James then discusses the outcome of trials - temptation.

When one faces the trial of poverty one is tempted to sin. Likewise, when we face the trials of persecution or death of loved ones.

Proverbs 30:8–9 (ESV)

Remove far from me falsehood and lying;

give me neither poverty nor riches;

feed me with the food that is needful for me,

lest I be full and deny you

and say, “Who is the Lord?”

or lest I be poor and steal

and profane the name of my God.

1 Peter is clear that trials are given by God and result in the praise and glory of God.

Yet there is a trap laid, not by God, nor even by Satan, but ourselves.

James explains that our temptation to sin is from within - our desires, our wants.

Temptation: Internal v. External

There’s a difference in how they look, how they feel, and where they come from.

Here are some biblical examples of external temptation:

Jesus is appointed to be tempted

Matthew 4:1 ESV

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

While the active tempter was Satan, this was the plan of the Father.

Job, likewise, sees Satan asking permission to test and tempt the man Job.

Job 1:12 ESV

And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

James, however, is not talking about external temptations.

Internal temptations are the feelings and desires in response to external temptations. Our want to do it is the problem, and what leads to (gives birth to) sin.

James then gives the knowledge required for wisdom in the face of temptation and trial:

4. Wisdom and Worship

Do not be deceived - God is Good.

This is the hope given by James. In the face of the trials, the temptations, the suffering of life: God is Good.

He does not change, He is steadfast. Hence, why the poor and rich alike must boast in Christ - they have no good apart from Him. Psalm 16:2 “I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.””

How powerful a goodness it is that many believers gain this wisdom in trials by grace, accidentally

I’d be quite the rich man if I had a dollar for every time a believer facing the struggles of life responded to me with the reminder for themselves “”God is Good.”

The temptation to despair and lose faith (Job 2:9 “Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.”” ) is abolished by this reminder: God is Good.

The temptation to sin by pursuing our desires is assuaged in the reminder: More than the promises sin makes, God is good.

God is great, which is awesome - but He is Good too.

And a greater statement is made in v. 18: He, by His own will, brought us forth by His word.

It was not achieved by your reason and intellect, else you could be persuaded to hell.

It was not achieved by pestering missionaries, else you’d fall to all the cults and advertisements of the world.

He, by His power and because He wanted to, saved you to be His firstfruits

His salvation promises more than simple escape from hell, but that you are being saved from the power of sin.

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

God’s goodness is greater than simply having a plan, but that He has empowered His people to remain steadfast by focusing on Him and His word.

This is why, as we’ll read next week, to be doers of the word.

Application:

Abandon trust or fear in yourself

Evaluate your desires and wants

Meditate on the Goodness of God