Why Should I Even Bother?

The Book of James

As we start off the new year, we should be reflective of the year that’s just gone. It’s common but good practice.

Having to go through the same old things, like home schooling, or wearing masks, can leave us weary and apathetic.

The point of James is to answer the question ‘why should we even bother’. James’s answer is ‘because we are called to endure, persevere and mature.

Not many are sure on which James wrote this letter but something to note is if it was James who was Jesus’s brother, he could have said that in his intro. He

could have some say as Jesus' brother about faith - its possible he would know what it looks like. Didn't claim the fame of being Jesus' brother but His servant.

Fun fact: James and Jacob have the same Heb. root word.

James was actually Jacob (Iakōbos). It is not certain why the English translators chose “James” rather than “Jacob.” “James,” “Jake,” and “Jacob” all come from the same root. Bible translations in other languages tend to utilize the transliterated name from the actual Hebrew “Jacob” (ya‘ăqōb). Could it be that King James desired to see his name in the English translation he authorized?

Blue, J.R., 1985. James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck, eds. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, p. 819.

Everyone is watching the news and hearing how bad things are because of COVID-19, and many have successfully written about God's intentions for us and our family during the lockdown and the pandemic as a whole. God knew about the how and why of isolating the sick. You can tell because of how He directed Israel in the OT. It's possible that, because we've been chasing comfortability so often that we feel so unprepared to go through such hardships.

Endurance

Endurance means: The ability to persevere in a task or calling. Christians are called to endure in the face of trial or opposition, as it brings spiritual rewards.

Now James is writing to a Jewish audience - so not Gentile/Greek. And this has tons of meaning because James is accused of writing sporadically or non-linear, like just a bunch of random thoughts strung together. But Jewish ways of thinking look cyclical or patterned.

James: An Introduction and Commentary (2nd Ed.) 2. Trials and Christian Maturity (1:2–18)

First, James encourages perseverance in the midst of trials. He tackles this issue at the beginning of the passage (vv. 2–4) and again in verse 12. And much of the material in verses 2–18 can be tied to this theme more or less directly.

Christian endurance starts with God (Ro. 15:5).

It is a true hallmark of Christian profession (Mt. 10:22) and involves standing firm (1 Corinthians 15:58, Philippians 1:27, Galatians 5:1)

James 1:1–3 NLT

This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings! Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

Question: how do Jewish people know that faith tested means endurance can grow? The OT?

James assumes that we know the testing our faith means endurance grows - why? Why is endurance something that will perfect us? How does is it perfect us? Why does our endurance need developing in the first place - there is obviously something imperfect (or even young) about our patience, needing nothing means we need something now - what is that?

Perseverance

Perseverance means: Enduring in a course of action or belief. It can mean being stubborn in a negative sense.

James 1:4–6 NLT

So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.

The corresponding passages help explain the text better in the ESV. Being complete would mean you've learned the lesson, got the experience, made progress, reached a checkpoint - if you haven't gone through it, you can't reach a save point or checkpoint.

Main theme: Perseverance is God-given nature.

Human perseverance to sin:

Exodus 9:1–3 NLT

“Go back to Pharaoh,” the Lord commanded Moses. “Tell him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so they can worship me. If you continue to hold them and refuse to let them go, the hand of the Lord will strike all your livestock—your horses, donkeys, camels, cattle, sheep, and goats—with a deadly plague.

Isaiah 1:5 NLT

Why do you continue to invite punishment? Must you rebel forever? Your head is injured, and your heart is sick.

God perseverance to call Israel:

Nehemiah 9:30–31 NLT

In your love, you were patient with them for many years. You sent your Spirit, who warned them through the prophets. But still they wouldn’t listen! So once again you allowed the peoples of the land to conquer them. But in your great mercy, you did not destroy them completely or abandon them forever. What a gracious and merciful God you are!

Exodus 32:14 NLT

So the Lord changed his mind about the terrible disaster he had threatened to bring on his people.

Matt 5:12, 1 Pet 1:6, 1 Pet 1:7, Acts 5:41, Romans 5:3-5, James 5:11, Heb 10:36, 2 Pet 1:6 These all point to different passages that explain why endurance matters and what it does to a believer in a variety of contexts, yet staying relevent to the current audience.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Two: Turning Trials into Triumphs (James 1:2–12)

What does God want to produce in our lives? Patience, endurance, and the ability to keep going when things are tough

Maturity

James 1:7–9 NLT

Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them.

James 1:10–12 NLT

And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements. God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Two: Turning Trials into Triumphs (James 1:2–12)

God’s goal for our lives is maturity. It would be a tragedy if our children remained little babies. We enjoy watching them mature, even though maturity brings dangers as well as delights. Many Christians shelter themselves from the trials of life, and as a result, never grow up. God wants the “little children” to become “young men,” and the “young men” He wants to become “fathers” (1 John 2:12–14).

Also a missionary who sent this as a circular letter to many churches. The churches are important because it's good to understand how they were living for James to give such an instruction. They were imprisoned (isolated, cut off, in lock-up) and deprived of their possessions and livelihoods. They fought among themselves, favoured the richer things and lost their love for one another.

James 1:13–15 NLT

And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

James 1:16–18 NLT

So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Two: Turning Trials into Triumphs (James 1:2–12)

The only way the Lord can develop patience and character in our lives is through trials. Endurance cannot be attained by reading a book (even this one), listening to a sermon, or even praying a prayer. We must go through the difficulties of life, trust God, and obey Him. The result will be patience and character. Knowing this, we can face trials joyfully. We know what trials will do in us and for us, and we know that the end result will bring glory to God.

This fact explains why studying the Bible helps us grow in patience (Rom. 15:4). As we read about Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, and even our Lord, we realize that God has a purpose in trials. God fulfills His purposes as we trust Him. There is no substitute for an understanding mind. Satan can defeat the ignorant believer, but he cannot overcome the Christian who knows his Bible and understands the purposes of God.

The Challenge

The result of endurance is what James is trying to get across: Salvation

Hebrews 10:36 NLT

Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

James 1:12 NLT

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Protection

Revelation 3:10 NLT

“Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world.

Spiritual Fruit and

Encouragement for others

2 Corinthians 1:6 NLT

Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer.

The challenge for us after hearing from James is being motivated to make sure we don’t waste our lockdown! We should bother to carry on and endure and persevere because - though during this season things seems incredibly boring - if we have a stick-withit-ness about our spirituality, both ourselves and others will see that when we say we are Christians, it’s legit!