Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In our two previous messages from the Epistle of James, we have seen that James is immediately concerned with the fact that his “brothers” in the Lord, who are scattered throughout the Roman Empire in various local churches, are suffering through times of great distress and difficulty. His heart surely reaches out to them in brotherly love and concern, and he has penned this letter to offer them all the help and encouragement that he can.
But, oddly enough, James tells them that such episodes of pain and persecution and trial are the normal course for all those who follow Jesus—“when you meet trials of various kinds” (v. 2). And even beyond this fact, James wants to press home to them the truth that, as incomprehensible as it may sound at first, such common difficulties are actually occasions for joy—“count it all joy” (v. 2).
And this is the case because of the fact that our Lord Himself sends such times of pressure and difficulty for the specific purpose of “testing”—“the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (v. 3). And the production of this virtue of “steadfastness” will result in true Christian maturity for all in the body of Christ—“that you may be prefect and complete, lacking in nothing” (v. 4).
All “trials” and difficulties, then, are occasions for rejoicing and “joy” because by them our Father is making us more like His beloved Son! In such situations of pressure and “testing” we are growing and deepening in Christlike character and virtue.
However, we have also seen that “wisdom” is required in order to understand this blessed divine purpose for our “trials” and sorrows. We can only have this “joy” as we see that the Lord has designed them, and that He is working through them for the good of His people. And to see things this way necessitates a complete change in the way we think.
Simply expressed, we need God’s “wisdom.” But not the false and artificial ‘wisdom’ that comes from the world. But God’s “wisdom” that comes only “from above” (3:15). We need renewed minds. Minds submissive to God’s truth! Thoughts that are made “captive to obey Christ”–2 Corinthians 10:5.
But how can we find this “wisdom”? How do we acquire it? How do we get it from heaven above down into our minds and hearts below?
This is the practical question we will try to answer this coming Lord’s Day from James 1:5-8.
Sunday is the Last Day of Sunday School
Don’t forget that our spring semester of Sunday School ends this week. Over the summer months we will have a time of fellowship at 10:00 AM, followed by Worship at 10:30 AM each Sunday Morning.
In our final adult class on ‘The Fruit of the Spirit’ I will be covering the fruit of goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
I can’t wait to see you all on the Lord’s Day, and I love you dearly!
In His grace,
Mike