Trials, Wisdom, Riches (James 1. 2-11)

James has much to say about practical Christian living, and this week we cover his teachings in verses 2-10: Trials, Wisdom, and Riches.

Background

Last time we discussed who the author of the Epistle of James might be, and to whom he might have been writing. We settled upon James, the half-brother of Jesus, as the author, and Jewish believers, probably within the Middle East and along the Mediterranean, as the audience. In Jerusalem James would have been well-placed to come into contact there with Jewish Christians who came there, either to confer with the church or to observe the Old Testament feasts and festivals at the Temple. And just as the Book of Acts gives us insight into the Acts of the Apostles in the early church, so too I believe the Epistle of James can give us insights into the sorts of things that occupied the Jewish Christians in the first decades of the early church.

But it is important to state at the outset that what we read here in James is not solely of historical interest to us as believers. As we read through James, we will I believe recognize in ourselves many of the problems and struggles James identifies, and we will find in what he prescribes a tonic for what ails our souls. We need to remember that this epistle is part of God’s living word, which is alive, and sharper than any two-edged sword. I believe that most of what we read in James is directly applicable to the church today.

If we look at the Pauline epistles, we might say that particularly the longer letters, such as Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, and Ephesians, are often split between doctrine and application. Doctrine is simply a “body of beliefs about God, man, Christ, the church, and other related concepts considered authoritative and thus worthy of acceptance by all members of the community of faith.” (From the article on DOCTRINE in Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers) Application is how, in light of doctrine, believers are to act towards God, fellow believers, and non-believers. Over the last few months, we have learned as part of Pastor Robert’s exposition of Hebrews how the first eleven chapters are concerned with doctrine, in particular with the supremacy of Jesus over Old Testament practices and the importance of faith, while the last two chapters are devoted to application, how in light of these believers ought to live.

Viewed from this perspective of doctrine versus application, the Epistle of James seems concerned far more with practical application than on doctrinal issues. James does not recount the life and teachings of Jesus, or His apostles, although what James has to say is consistent with Jesus’ teachings. James has nothing to say about the relation of the Son to the Father and little to say about the Holy Spirit. James contains only one reference to the Holy Spirit, two to Jesus Christ, and seventeen to God. In my opinion, the Epistle of James resembles a New Testament equivalent to the Wisdom books of the Old Testament, such as Job, Psalms, Proverbs, the Song of Solomon, and Ecclesiastes. James touches upon many different practical matters throughout its five chapters. In the first chapter alone, James speaks about exhibiting patience in trials, asking God for wisdom, glorying in Christ alone, understanding where temptation comes from, and being doers of the word.

James 1. 2-4 - Trials

Chapter 1 begins with James identifying himself, not as the half-brother of Jesus, but simply as a bondservant, that is, a servant by choice, to both God and Jesus Christ (Galatians 6:14), and then sending his greetings to the twelve tribes of Israel scattered abroad. I suspect that James uses the familiar phrase “twelve tribes” to refer not to the Jewish people as a whole, as it is often used in the Old Testament, but as a shorthand for the church, which at this point probably consists predominantly of Jewish believers scattered throughout the Middle East. Such a greeting would have had little meaning to a Gentile audience in the days James was writing.

James then turns immediately to the subject of trials, which he touches upon twice in the first chapter. The Greek noun peirasmos found in verse 2, where it is translated as “trials,” occurs again in verse 12, where it is rendered in the NKJV as “temptation.” The Greek has a range of meanings, including “trial, proving, temptation to sin, or adversity.” James does not specify what sort of trials he is speaking about. He refers to them simply as “various trials” and “temptation,” and notes they as such as test the faith of the person experiencing them [verse 3] and entice them to sin and put the blame on God [verse 12].

It would be incorrect I think to assume that James is referring here by the word “trials” to a systematic policy of persecution. The first official Roman persecution of Christians dates from about 64 A.D., during the reign of Nero, but that date is two years after the traditional date for the death of James, the brother of Jesus, in 62 A.D. Given James’ audience, it is possible that the trials he refers to could be the result of persecution of Jewish Christians by non-Christian Jews, or even by other Jewish Christians groups, such as the Judaizers, who had become over-zealous in their continued observance of and emphasis on the Law. There is also some indication from James 2:5-7 that wealthy Jews may have been oppressing the Jewish believers. However, I believe that it is probably more accurate and certainly far simpler to take James comments about trials at face value and read them as referring to the general and ongoing struggle that all believers face to walk in faith, placing their trust and focus on God, rather than on earthly things.

Look at what James has to say about trials. He first tells his audience to count the various trials that they fall into as a cause or occasion for joy when they fall into various trials. Trials will come, make no mistake of that. Jesus has promised us: “In this world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.”( John 16:33) James calls believers to be of good cheer in the face of trials and tribulations, to view them from a spiritual perspective. This is not the way of the world; the world views trials and tribulations as a bad thing, something to be avoided if possible and minimized if unavoidable. Why then should believers rejoice in trials? Here is the answer James gives: because the testing of a person’s faith produces in them patience and endurance. The Greek word here is hupomone, rendered as “patience” in the NKJV, “endurance” in the NASB, and “perseverance” in the NIV. Hupomone carries the sense of “steadfastness, constancy, and endurance” and Thayer’s Greek Lexicon adds this insightful comment regarding it use in the New Testament: hupomone is “the characteristic of a man who is unswerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings.” (From Thayer's Greek Lexicon, PC Study Bible formatted Electronic Database. Copyright © 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc.)

Endurance, James tells his audience, helps make them perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Paul puts the matter like this in Romans 5:3-5:

3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

As we learn to hold fast to the character and promises of God in times of trial, our faith is refined and made more genuine. We gain first endurance, to carry on in faith without wavering, then character, or more specifically, a character which has been tested and found to be genuine, praiseworthy, and true, and finally hope, what Thayer’s Greek Lexicon calls “the joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation.” Our faith in God and Jesus is the cornerstone of our salvation. It is by grace through faith that we are saved (Ephesians 2:8-10). and without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6) Hope is the culmination of faith. That kind of hope is certain - it does not disappoint - precisely because it is founded on the promises of an eternal and unchanging God, whose word does not return void (Isaiah 55:11). For this reason the writer of Hebrews encourages us with these words, “11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”(Hebrews 6:11-12)

No wonder James encourages us to rejoice in trials – because through trials we learn patient faith and it is through faith and patience that we inherit the promises of God! And not just His promises; as we read in James 5:11, endurance brings with the blessing of understanding the character of God – “that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.“

James’ advice concerning the perspective we are to have regarding trials is consistent with what we read in 1 Peter 1:6-9:

6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith — the salvation of your souls.

And a couple chapters later, in 1 Peter 4:12-14, Peter offers additional words of encouragement for those about to undergo trials:

12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

Like James, Peter calls us to rejoice in the various trials, even in fiery trials, because such testing creates in us a genuine faith, which is precious, the end of which is the salvation of our souls. When we suffer trials, we partake in the sufferings of Christ, picking up our cross and following in His footsteps, and are blessed for doing so.

James 1.5-8 - Wisdom

From rejoicing in trials, James turns next to the related subject of wisdom. If we are to see trials as an occasion for joy, we will need wisdom, and godly wisdom at that. There are, James will tell us in chapter three, two types of wisdom: worldly wisdom and godly wisdom.

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.  (James 3:13-18)

Take note characteristics of godly wisdom: it is “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” Such wisdom can only help a believer to have endurance in the face of trials. Indeed in James 3:13 James refers to the “meekness of wisdom” and the adjective “meek” means “Mild of temper; not easily provoked or irritated; patient under injuries; not vain, or haughty, or resentful; forbearing; submissive.” Meekness is closely connected with humility; in Numbers 12:3 Moses is described, depending on your translation, as either the most humble or most meek man on the face of the earth. If we have the meekness of wisdom, then we will be more likely to react to trials as Moses reacted, without becoming flustered, without anger, and with patience, prayer, and perseverance. And if we react to trials as Moses did, we will be more likely to draw nearer to the Lord, rather than doubt Him or pull away from Him. With the help of the wisdom from above, we can begin to understand that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28-29)

James encourages his audience that if they lack wisdom, they should ask God for it. However, James makes it clear that they should ask God in faith, without doubting. If we ask in faith, believing that God exists and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6), God will give them wisdom “liberally and without reproach.” That is, when we ask in faith, God will give us wisdom, not as the world gives, expecting something in return, but out of love, desiring simply to bless us, without obligation, and without criticism, without throwing it back in our face. After teaching His disciples how to pray, Jesus told them to ask with persistence, knowing that their Father in heaven will answer them:

9 "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  11 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?  12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?  13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"  (Luke 11:9-13)

But, on the other hand, if we are double-minded when we ask for wisdom, if our faith is tainted by doubt, and we are unsure if God will answer, or will give us what we ask for, then James wants us to know that we should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. And if we are double-minded, we should ask God first that He would strengthen our faith. Like the father of the demon-possessed boy, we should say “Lord I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) And once we have faith the size of a mustard seed, then we can ask Him for spiritual wisdom, and we will have the faith to receive and act upon what He tells us.

We see once again how faith is the cornerstone of our relationship with God. When we understand how much He loves us and all that He has done for us, when we place our trust in God, when we have a faith in Him that has increased to certain hope, then like John the Baptist, we will seek to decrease that He can increase in us. We will desire His wisdom and seek to do His will.

Wisdom from above will help us to have a spiritual perspective on things, and to understand that the way things appear to our senses is not always the way things really are. Just as we need the wisdom from above to see the joy in trials, so too we need that same wisdom to make sense of other spiritual aspects of our life. For when we look at our physical condition from a human perspective, we may be tempted to despair or rejoice inappropriately. If we are poor, struggling to make ends meet, hungry, or sick, we may begin to compare ourselves to others whose lot in life seems better and to wonder what we have done wrong, why God is not blessing us. We can start to grow covetous of the things that others have, rather than being contenting with what we have been given. And conversely, if we have more than we need, are well off, content, or healthy, we may start to become prideful and see ourselves as somehow better than others. Furthermore, when we are well off, we can begin to place our trust and our hope more on earthly possessions than on the Creator of heaven and earth.

But if we look at life from a spiritual perspective, in the meekness of spiritual wisdom, we will have the possibility to see the way things truly are.

James 1.9-11 - Riches

In verses 9-12 James now addresses those among his audience who might think themselves poor or rich by comparison to one another. James tells the lowly brother to glory in his exaltation, in the fact that he will be lifted up by God. This is exactly what Jesus promises. "3 Blessed are the poor in spirit," Jesus told the crowds during the Sermon on the Mount, “For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth." Notice too that is God who blesses, who will give them their inheritance and comfort them.

Simultaneously James warns those who seem wealthy not to glory in their riches but rather in their humiliation. The rich person needs to realize that just “as a flower of the field he will pass away.” All our lives are but a vapor (James 4:14-15) and the riches, the stuff that we accumulate on earth, will all be left behind when we go to be with the Lord. We must set our minds on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:2-3) "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;" (Matthew 6:19-21) Jesus tells us, "20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

As believers, whether rich or poor, it is to Jesus Christ that we are to look. He alone is our hope of glory (Colossians 1:27-28). He is the one that we need, and all that we need. As Simon Peter replied to Jesus when He asked the disciples if they wished to leave Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:68-69)  Through Him all things were made (John 1:3-4). Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Light (John 14:6). He is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2). He is all and in all.( Colossians 3:9-11) We are to boast in nothing except the cross of Christ (Galatians 6:14) His grace is sufficient for us.

Summary

What can we say by way of summary for the eleven verses of James chapter 1 that we have covered tonight? Four quick points:

The foundation of faith: It is by grace through faith that we are saved. The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing [1 Corinthians 1:18] and we receive it only because of the quickening of our spirit by the Holy Spirit. [No man comes to the Son unless the Father draws him. John 6:44] And is by faith and not by sight that we walk [2 Corinthians 5:7]. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him [Hebrews 12:6].”

Trials breed endurance, and endurance hope: Trials and tribulations strengthen our faith and give us endurance. Endurance perfects us so that we lack nothing. The continual process of strengthening our faith through endurance develops first proven character and then certain hope in our God.

Spiritual wisdom brings spiritual understanding: To see the world from a spiritual perspective we need spiritual wisdom. When we reach the point of faith that we believe that God will give us that wisdom if we ask, we should ask Him for the wisdom from above and then act on what He gives us. Spiritual wisdom is the key for beginning to comprehend the spiritual component of the world around us [For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 1 Corinthians 2:11-12].

Christ in us, the hope of glory: When we begin to have a spiritual perspective on what is happening, we will see that Jesus is our all in all and our hope of glory. In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge [Colossians 2:3]. It is completely through Christ and what He has done that we are justified and inherit the promises of God. It is Jesus’ righteousness which must be placed on us as we have none of our own [2 Corinthians 5:21]. As this becomes more and more of a reality for us, the things of the world will have less meaning and significance. We will cease to care whether we are rich or poor here on earth, because we are rich in Christ. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us [Philippians 4:13]. We will see trials and tribulations for what they are and will “consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us [Romans 8:18].” We will desire to decrease so that Christ can increase in us.