Count it Joy

Hello, folks! For the next few months, I am going to take you through the book of James. James has been a book many times misunderstood by Christians because of his emphasis on works. Even Martin Luther back in the 1500s was not sure it belonged in the Bible. But after a thorough study and prayer, he realized it definitely belonged there. The reason he had difficulty with it at first was he had finally discovered the principle Paul taught regarding salvation by faith through grace. At first he thought James was contradicting Paul, but later realized that was not the case.

James also deals with sin, and the tongue and pride and several other issues and he comes down hard on people because of his desire to see a church living in purity of heart and behaviour.

So let’s start with the first few verses.

James 1:1-4

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (NIV)

A quick commentary on James himself: It is believed that this particular James was the Lord Jesus’ brother. Matthew 13:55 & Mark 6: 3 refers to one of Jesus’ brothers being named James. It is probably also the same James that Paul referred to in the book of Galatians. No one knows exactly which James wrote this, but it is commonly accepted that Jesus’ brother is the author.

In the first verse, James starts out addressing his letter to the 12 tribes of Israel scattered among the nations. So James is specifically addressing Jews here that do not live in the territory of Israel, but in various parts of the world where Jewish communities have sprung up. He sends them his greetings.

In the next verse he starts right in on his exhortation. Says to consider it pure joy when facing and dealing with various trials and temptations facing them. Now I don’t know about you, but I take what the apostles say in the epistles, the letters as God’s commands, not His suggestions. Can you imagine God saying to you that you are to consider it joy when facing trials? That is how I see it. But how can God ask that of us, or expect that of us? James gives us the answer in the next verse. Because we know that the testing of our faith produces perseverance. Let us look at the word trial first verse 2 and then the word test in verse 3.

3986 peirasmos-trial

an experiment, an attempt, a trial, a proving

a) trial, proving: the trial made of you by my bodily condition, since condition served as to test the love of the Galatians toward Paul (Gal. 4:14)

b) the trial of man's fidelity, integrity, virtue, or constancy

1) an enticement to sin, temptation, whether arising from the desires or from the outward circumstances

2) an internal temptation to sin;

used of the temptation by which the Devil sought to divert Jesus the Messiah from his divine errand

3) used of the condition of things, or a mental state, by which we are enticed to sin, or to a lapse from the faith and holiness

4) adversity, affliction, trouble; sent by God and serving to test or prove one's character, faith, holiness

c) the temptation (that is, the trial) of God by men,

rebellion against God, by which his power and justice are, as it were, put to the proof and challenged to show themselves

After reading all that, you get the idea. The kind of trial that is an adversity that tempts you and tests your metal fits James’ meaning in verse 2. In verse 3 however, we have the word

1383 dokimion-testing.

1) the proving

2) that by which something is tried or proved, a test

So what James is trying to get across to us is that we need to recognize when we face these trials, these adversities, God is using them for our benefit. God is using this to teach us how to persevere, how to endure how to be patient. Look at the definition for perseverance.

5281 hupomone-

1) steadfastness, constancy, endurance

a) in the New Testament, the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings

b) patiently, and steadfastly

2) a patient, steadfast waiting for

3) a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance

We can be grateful to God that He has explained through James why we should be joyful rather than angry, depressed, worried or fearful.

And here is the purpose for that perseverance. Verse 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Does this help to give you a better perspective toward those things that are challenging you, those troubles you are dealing with, those trials in your life? I hope so. God’s Word –obedience to it because we really believe-gives life and strength. See how great of love God has for us? He doesn’t leave us alone. He makes sure we go through the training. Consider yourself in basic training, in boot camp so to speak, all because He loves you and wants to make you not only like Him but capable of dealing with the adversities of life in this world and being an example to others. And as you know, the end result is worth it.  God bless you all with a real understanding of His Word. The Good News Lady