James 1:5 Wisdom

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.  

So...a little recap here.  When trials come - we are told to receive them with joy.  Joy.  Really?  How can that happen?  It certainly wouldn't be my first natural reaction.  So why would God  ask something like that of us?  It is because He knows - and wants us to come to understand -  that trials can actually result in something good?  We also understand that we need to "see through to the end" any testing that comes our way.  When we do that, it will produce patience and endurance in us. 

Now for the wisdom verse.  "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".

The phrase, "if any of you lacks wisdom" can be confusing.   I know I have always made the assumption that that means I can ask God for wisdom about any and everything.  Well.  That didn't work.  

Why?

Was it because I didn't ask in faith (like the next verse will ask)?  

No.

It's really important to remember that the context of the wisdom question is trials and testing.  

When I lack wisdom in how to deal with a trial or how to go through a time of testing, I can ask God and He will give me His wisdom without getting angry at my inability to know how to proceed.

It's not a question of asking God "which car to purchase" or "should I buy this house", etc.

It's asking God how to deal with a trial I am currently in.

The answer we are given, may indeed, require the patience that He is trying to teach us...

James 1:4 Patience

But let patience have it's perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

What a fascinating verse!  Think about it!  We tend to think of patience in a negative light.  

"I have to have patience in such a such a situation...or, "Dealing with 'so and so' requires so much (exasperated sigh) patience..."

When we think like that - as I many times do- we are actually cutting short the work of patience in our lives.  Not good.  God says to let patience have it's perfect work.

Do you know what that means?  

It means "let the work of patience be seen to fruition...let it complete itself in what it is doing."

Why?

So that we will be perfected - completed - lacking nothing.

I spoke to my husband, Mike.  He added:  "When we cut off patience, if we take note of what is in our hearts at that time of 'cutting off' we will see 'anxiousness, irritation and impatience.  We have an opportunity, then, to acknowledge these things as a sin in our life...confess them...and give them to God.  Repent.  

We can finally, then,  let patience begin to have it's perfect work in our lives.  Part of that work is to open up our eyes to the sin in our own lives and to purify our hearts from the sin that so easily makes its way into our lives.

As Christians, we are saved from sins eternal consequences, but we oftentimes forget just how damaging sin can be in the lives we have in this world...

James 1:3 Testing

Know that the testing of your faith produces patience.

As followers of Christ who are faithful, we will have things happen that will actually "test" our faith.

* How can we know that something is testing our faith?
* What does that exactly mean?

We can know our faith is being tested when a circumstance throws us a curve ball - usually when something unpleasant happens. That 'unpleasant' something could take the form of a person or circumstance. 

I know that when bad things happen in my life, I don't automatically think to myself:

"Wow, isn't this bad thing great?!  What an awesome opportunity to view it as a test of my faith"!?

No.  I usually just get bummed out...which could take one of many forms.  

BUT. 

What if I DID look at my life circumstances as a test of my faith?
What exactly would that mean?  How would it look?

When was the last time you or I encountered a difficult situation, whether it was regarding a person or a circumstance? 

Did we get "testy"...or did we take it like we would take - oh, I don't know - take a test?

If we were to give ourselves a grade to reflect how well we dealt with it, what would you have given yourself?  What would I give myself?

An 'A', 'B', 'C', 'D'...or 'F'?

Do we "rule"... or do we let the Holy Spirit "over-rule" the actions we may have wanted to take initially?

When we allow our faith to rule...it not only results in a good 'score'...it results in patience, endurance and perseverance that will eventually 'kick in' before we are even tempted to 'do' something that will result in -uh- a poor 'score' as we are dealing with those life things that constantly surround us.

God doesn't tempt us...but He does test us.  Our faith is tested. 

And that's a good thing. 

James 1:2 Joy Amidst Trials

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

Okay.  I am not a physically born Jew, but I am a brother/sister in Christ.

Galations 28 and 29 says:

  "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise".

Because of that, it is important for me - and anybody who believes in Jesus - to come to an understanding that when difficulties and hardships come, regardless of the form they take, those hardships are things that can actually be counted as joy. Why?  Because of the good they produce - especially when we let the Holy Spirit work in us the way He wants to.

In other words, I need to acknowledge any difficulty that comes my way, as something that (for reasons I may or may not understand) God is using in my life... or even someone else's life... for good. Therefore...I can be joyful in that understanding. 

I have to say, though, that verse is nothing but meaningless words if I don't actually apply it to my life on a daily basis.  When I do that, it is amazing how my perspective changes.  Life becomes good again!

James 1:1 Just What is a Servant?

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


James could have referred to himself as one of the three apostles in Jesus's inner circle of disciples. Sounds good...but he didn't.  James wasn't simply someone who happened to believe in God and Jesus.  Before anything else, he referred to himself as a servant. God's servant.  And he recognized that God and Jesus were in the same equation, Jesus being recognized as his Lord.

I believe in God. In Jesus.  But do I really acknowledge the reality that as a follower of Christ, I am first and foremost His servant?  Do I put Him first in everything?  A servant does the bidding of his Master.  Jesus in my Master.

* What does He want me to do?
*  Do I truly live for Him?
*  Do I listen to His voice?
*  How can I be a good servant if I am not attentive to my Master...if I don't listen to His voice?

A servant is available.  He is willing to be there.  Willing to act when asked.  He will know his master so well that oftentimes he will be able to act according to His Masters will before His Master has to say anything.  Those things will be written on the servants heart.