8 Oct. 2010 - James 1:1-19

James 1:1-19

greetings + "trials and temptations"

Literally, verse 1 is a greeting from James

verse 2: "Consider it pure joy... when you face trials of many kinds." yeah... no. consider trials joy? why? what does it serve me? why should i rejoice in the middle of trials? because trials develop perseverance (ask any coach, they'll say the same) and perseverance develops maturity and completeness, not lacking anything (again, any coach will say the same... just in different words). well, what if you lack something? ask God, "who gives generously to all without finding fault."

So i can ask for a million dollars? I'm lacking a million dollars... not quite... when we lack something we are in need of a necessity, not a want...

also, he who asks must believe and not doubt, as the Bible phrases it... why? because the doubter is uncertain, double-minded and unsure of himself and God. this is not to say a doubter will not receive anything from God, just that it is, like the doubter's mind, uncertain.

then James goes on a tangent (wow, we have a lot in common), or so it seems. He goes on to express how a poor man ought to rejoice in his high position and the rich man in his low position... what? that makes no sense... true, until you follow it with the next verse: "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." has the lightbulb switched on yet? because of the poor man's trials he is greater. because of the rich man's lack of trials, he is the lesser. (remember the 2nd paragraph?)

now James goes off on a (very true) tangent. the topic is rapidly switched from trials to temptation... James states that we really shouldn't blame God for tempting us into sin. It really stems from us and our evil desires. Temptation, once kindled, gives birth to sin, which, in turn, births death... no one, however, really thinks of the slippery slope, though, when they consider and, by doing so, kindle temptation...

"Do not be deceived!" James says (emphasis added). everything good and perfect comes from God, who is unchanging. He gave us a second life through the gospel so that we could be part of an amazing harvest... (James uses firstfruits when referring to the early church... I don't really think we constitute as firstfruits still, rather I think we are part of the yield, the crop of believers)

ok... that's a lot... but, then, James does have a lot to say in his book that is worth noting... I'm just thankful tomorrow/today's one isn't as long...