James 1:1-2 (Part 2) The Doctrine of Testing

The Greeting

• The author: 1) James who is the half brother of Jesus Christ; 2) Unbeliever during Jesus’ earthly life; 3) Became a follower after the resurrection of Christ; 4) Lead Jerusalem church.

• The recipients: 1) Scattered—any Jew outside of Palestine; 2) These are Jewish believers.

The doctrine of testing

• A command about testing, v. 2: 1) The “brethren” are the ones involved; 2) The attitude commanded—consider it all joy—“think this way”; 3) “Consider (count)—mental attitude—aorist tense—do it again and again; 4) With the right attitude we can have habitual joy; 5) The only one that can have joy is one who cares about God.

• The issue involved with testing, v. 3: 1) Tests are directed at your faith; 2) Faith is aligning with God’s viewpoint; 3) “The trying”—this is (1) the means and (2) the results; 4) The goal is endurance.

• The facts involved in testing, v. 2: 1) Tests are inevitable; 2) Tests come unannounced and unexpected; 3) Tests comes in every variety and flavor.