Hello Friends!
This week we’ll continue to work our way through this serious “study” series solemnly surveying the powerful book of James in considering the TRUE calling of the “Christian” life as directed throughout this excellent Epistle – “Putting Faith to Work!”
The Book of James: Putting Faith to Work! (Chapter 1: Verses 12-20)
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God – James 1:12-20
OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: As we’ve discussed, “James” rightly refers to his readers as “brethren” several times throughout his epistle. In fact, he even REVERES them as his "beloved brethren" beseeched. And the underlying assumption here is that the PARTICULAR people who make a claim of “faith” are indeed true “believers” beheld in “Jesus Christ” Himself. Interestingly enough, “James” does NOT even explain what it is to BE a called-out “Christian” as such. WHY? Because his readers already had that “knowledge” of their “salvation” glory! Therefore, “James” is simply saying throughout his excellent epistle: “It won't benefit you ETERNALLY unless there's clear EVIDENCE that your sure SALVATION is indeed the REAL thing!” Very – SERIOUS Indeed!
In the PREVIOUS section of his engaging epistle, “James” began to PRACTICALLY provide for “us” several sure TESTS to indicate whether or not our profession poised of “faith” is the REAL thing. We considered the first THREE last week:
The FIRST true TEST is perfectly proven by “patience” through “various trials“ of “suffering” and heralded – HARDSHIPS!
The SECOND true TEST is perfectly proven by “asking” for the “wisdom” of “God” granted by – GOD!
The THIRD true TEST is perfectly proven by “rejoicing” in various financial – FACTORS!
Now here in these poignant passages “James” overtly outlines yet another THREE true TESTS as such:
The FOURTH true TEST is engagingly enduring the “temptations” in life – ENDURANCE!
The FIFTH true TEST is the direction of blame for the “temptations” in life – RESPONSE!
The SIXTH true TEST is totally trusting in God’s “perfect” provision in life – TRUST!
Therefore, “James” boldly begins this section with a firm FOCUS on the “promised” righteous reward received from the “Lord” in direly DIFFICULT times of “temptation” in life…
Loving God UNDER Trials!
The FOURTH serious TEST of true “faith” is engagingly ENDURING the trying “temptations” of life:
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him – James 1:12
THEOLOGICAL THOUIGHTS: This “promised” reward is just ONE of the five conceived “crowns” of which the ardent “Apostle Paul” outlined throughout his New Testament epistles. It was ALSO the purposed “Paul” of whom rightly reflected upon the “temptation“ of maniacal “man” and the “faithfulness” of our great “God” in speaking to the spiritually IMMATURE childish chided “church” residing within the “Corinth” capital…
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it – 1 Corinthians 10:13
Indeed, “God is faithful” in absolutely ALL of our terrible “trials” and torrid “temptations” that “we” will eventually experience in THIS looming life! That's the “blessed” righteous REWARD of sure “salvation” for the “approved” true “believer” whose “faith” is outwardly demonstrated by the way he “endures” the torrid “temptation“ of tumultuous “trials” experienced throughout his life time. Thus, “James” reassures “us” that “we” too will “receive” the COURAGEOUS coming “crown of life” which the “Lord” has “promised” to those who “love Him” – PRAISE our Lord!
The FIFTH serious TEST of true “faith” is the direction of BLAME in the “temptations” of life:
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death – James 1:13-15
True “faith” accepts PERSONAL responsibility for “sin” and ungodly decisions. And “James” is very CLEAR in regards to the “false converts” who say “I am tempted by God” when in fact HE does not “tempt anyone” at all! WHY would this menacing “man” say so of the “Lord” of Whom “cannot be tempted by evil” and the wickedness of such? Because these “liars” definitely do NOT want to accept PERSONAL responsibility for their own “sin” and rank – Rebellion AGAINST God!
Also, the “he” of whom “James” is rightly referring to here is the UNBELIEVING ungodly “one” who has a false professing “faith” fully demonstrated by the fact they will NOT accept the “truth” and are demonically “drawn away” from “God” by their “own” wicked “desires” and “enticed” by them. At that point, “sin” is cohesively “conceived” and when “it” becomes a “full-grown” as an UNREPENTANT and wholly habitual life-style of predicated personal choice will boldly “bring forth death” for the “false convert” both – Physical AND Spiritual!
BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: It was the “Apostle Peter” of whom also rightly REFLECTED upon licentious “living” in willful “sin” and the “flesh” fallen verses a wonderful “walking” in obvious “obedience” according to the PERFECT wonderful “will of God” granted…
Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit – 1 Peter 4:1-6
In other words, “we” once “lived” in wicked, willful “sinfulness” through a “flood of dissipation” in fickle FALLEN foolish “flesh” natures. WHY? Because that is ALL we could do in our lost state of “sin” and “rebellion” against “God” Himself… Until the “gospel” of our Justifier “Jesus Christ” Sovereignly “saved” us! Therefore, “Peter” proclaims: “Stop licentiously LIVING in your WILLFULLY woeful WICKED ways!” These passages are indeed CONVICTING and yet COMFORTING thoughts from our “faithful” and “loving” Holy “God” of promise – AMEN!
The SIXTH serious TEST of true “faith” is regarding the “perfect” loving PROVISION of our gracious “God’s” granted “gifts” in life:
Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning – James 1:16-17
Here “James” courageously COMMANDS the bold “beloved brethren” not to “be deceived” in their “understanding” of “God’s” great “gifts” given. WHY? Because the only glorious “gifts” that comes directly “down” from the “Father of lights” is His “good” and “perfect” will for the TRUE beholding “believer” in Him. Therefore, we MUST see our own “sin” as the bad “fruit” of our own “lust” for worldly enticements eradicated And there is NO vindictive “variation” nor sure “shadow of turning” within “God’s” perfect “holiness” and nature. WHY? Because in HIM there is found absolutely – NO Darkness!
And the “Apostle John” confidently CONFIRMED this mindful “message” rightly regarding the lavish “light” of “God” Himself…
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all – 1 John 1:5
Our “sin” does NOT corruptly “cometh down” from heaven. Rather, our own “sin” seethes UP from deep within ourselves! Therefore, both “James” and “John” concur: “The TRUE believer readily REPENTS of their OWN sin!” It is HEAR where “we” are indeed – Loving God UNDER Trials!
Re-born unto HOLINESS!
Next “James” juxtaposes “John” with a thoughtful tie to aptly ARTICULATE the mindful meaning of the “new birth” formulated as “firstfruits” found in “Jesus Christ” alone:
Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures – James 1:18
In fact, it was actually “according to the good pleasure of his will” waxed BY the “word of truth” through which “we” were soundly “saved” by “our” great “God” granted BEFORE the “foundation of the world” forged – IN Him!
HISTORICAL HINTS: The “Apostle Paul” exquisitely EXPANDS on this poignant point in speaking to the “church” chosen in “Ephesus” emancipated…
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved – Ephesians 1:3-6
In our “unregenerate” condition, we do NOT thoroughly think, specifically speak, appropriately act or practically perceive God NOR do we ultimately “understand” His total “truth,” loving “law” or wonderous “will” for “our” lost soul. Therefore, the wonderful “Word of God” reminds US that of His “own will” He boldly “begat us” by His “word of truth” tantamount…
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new – 2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore” absolutely ALL born-again “believers” are finally FORMED as fomented “firstfruits” fashioned as a “new creature” to beautifully “become new” through spiritual REGENERATION found in “Jesus Christ” alone – Re-born unto HOLINESS!
Wrath OR Righteousness?
Finally, “James” provides “us” with these words of WARNING concerning “our” appropriate attitude towards God’s WORD itself:
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God – James 1:19-20
IMPORTANT INSIGHTS: The intention issued here represents a right RESPONSE to the “Word of God” granted. In other words, this passage is NOT speaking in regards to a snide response rendered in RANDOM conversation. Rather, when “James” juries to "be swift to hear" he means to LISTEN intently to the “Word of God“ and to respond accordingly. WHY? Because the idea here is an EAGERNESS to grasp every opportunity to intentionally increase our heralded “hearing” of the “Word of God“ and to purposely PURSUE every privileged occasion to obtain the wonderful “wisdom,” diligent “discernment, keen “knowledge” and unique “understanding” utilized from – GOD Granted!
We must also be equally as “slow to speak” on “God’s” behalf. WHY? Because EVERYTHING we boldly “believe,” tensely “teach” and lovingly “live” by indeed MUST be truly “tested” with the “Word of God” grounded in its proper CONTEXT considered. In other words, one must NEVER willingly misrepresent His glorious – Great WORD!
Finally, “James” then terrifically ties it all together with an EXHORTATION to be surely “slow to wrath” as such. In other words, when we “hear” something properly taught from the “Word of God” itself, we must NOT build up rank resentment aimed AGAINST its precepts. WHY? Because regardless of what “we” might personally purport concerning His majestic MANDATES made, the wicked “wrath of man” does NOT willingly “worketh” the real “righteousness of God” revealed – Wrath OR Righteousness?
In closing:
These are very IMPORTANT points “James” makes in these powerful passages PONDERING our righteous response to the wonderful– WORD of God!
Similarly, the ardent “Apostle Paul” bluntly questioned the “saints” living in “Rome” regarding “God’s” Divine DISTAIN towards man’s fallen “foolish” and satanic “sinful” opinion gouging God’s “sovereign” righteous rule over everything eternally:
Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? – Romans 9:20
In other words, “Paul” soundly says: “Do NOT ask that question! Do NOT impugn the CHARACTER and NATURE of God or His wonderful WORD!"
Therefore, both “James” and “Paul” rightly REMIND each of “us” that our waning “wrath” aimed against the wonderful “Word of the Lord” will NEVER incite the “righteousness of God” willed within each of “our” lives. We must NEVER presume to challenge our great God’s FINAL written authority aptly found IN His – Perfect WORD!
We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!
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Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><
Encouraging Concepts
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