James Post # 5 - James 1:12-18

Our study of James’ letter picks up with Chapter 1 and verse 12.  To get your mind (and spirit) “warmed up” why don’t you take a moment and read James 1:12-18 in your own Bible before you read on.  Better yet, why not read from verses 1-18 for a little review and context, and don’t forget to pray before you start.

OK, here we go with today’s study.  In verse 12 you read (I hope)  “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”  The short answer for the meaning of this verse would be something like this.  Hang in there!  Run the race!  Be a good soldier!  Don’t get discouraged!  Keep your eyes on the prize!  I think I like that one the best.  Keep your eyes on the prize.  It smacks of an athletic completion doesn’t it?  I hope you recognize it as coming from the Bible as well.  In Philippians 3:14 we read these words of Paul.  “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  Yup, keep your eyes on the prize!  As a child of the King the ultimate “prize” for all of us is to be in heaven with our Lord and that’s what Paul is speaking about.  His ultimate goal was to be in heaven.  That goal kept Paul moving during some real difficult times in his ministry and mission efforts. 

Paul used the athletic reward symbolism in 1 Corinthians as well.  In Chapter 9, Verse 25 we read “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”  Paul is keeping that theme of competing, of giving it your best efforts, of putting all your energy into winning “a crown”.   James 1:12 continues with the idea that after we have “stood the test” or made it through the trial, we will receive “the crown of life” that the Lord has promised.  That crown, that goal, that blessing is God’s welcoming us into His heavenly kingdom.  It’s us making it home !!  Can you even imagine what it would feel like to arrive in heaven and hear “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”?  Just like the song says “I can only imagine.”

All that remains in considering this verse is to ask, “How do you react to the trials that come your way?”  There are lots of options aren’t there?  You can complain to yourself and others.  You can withdraw and “suffer in silence”.  You can play the victim with thoughts of “why me”, “why not someone else”?  Some people seem to always be in some state of struggle or dark times.  They feel the victim.  Others only focus on when their trouble will be over and they will be free of their most current problems.  Scripture seems to suggest yet another approach.  It’s one where you realize that these things come as a way to test and strengthen a persons’ stamina, perseverance, or judgement.  A way to build their faith.  I’ve spoken of this before but it’s the idea that you recognize that these trials are often a tool God uses to not only get our attention but to teach us something new about ourselves and our walk with Him.  Next time you are in one of these “trials” try spending some time in prayer, asking God to show you what it is that you need to learn from what is happening that you might grow as He wants you to.  I’ve had my own moments like this and I can tell you that my initial thoughts were not “Hey, Lord, thanks so much for letting this happen to me.  I can’t wait to see what it is you are trying to teach me through this struggle.”  No, my attitude was much like many of yours I bet.  I had the same “why me” pity party for a while before the Spirit got me to “be still and know that I am God”.  Well, it was more of a “will you shut up and listen?  I’ve got something to teach you.”  I’m guessing many of you have been right there as well.

I taught public school for 30 years and helped raise 2 children so I have heard lots of “It’s not my fault.” or “Everybody’s doing it.”  You know these phrases.  There are lots of them.  Just for fun, here’s a short list.  I bet you’ve heard many of them and, if you are honest, maybe you’ve used a few of them yourself.  Ready?

-It's his/her fault. - I couldn't help it. - Everybody's doing it. - It was just a mistake. - Nobody's perfect. - The devil made me do it. - I was pressured into it. - God is tempting me.

It's not my fault!  I’ve already said that was the most common plea I heard in school but, unfortunately, it’s now one of the most common excuses used throughout our society!  I don’t care if it’s your weight, your job situation, your social standing, your finances, etc., the most common excuse is, “It’s not my fault.”  This ‘victim mentality’ is very prevalent in our society now and that creates so much anger, mistrust and hurtful behavior (and lots of work for attorneys).  Wouldn’t it be great if folks would take responsibility for their decisions and actions?  What a difference it could make if people would realize that “stuff” happens to everyone and for the Christian this is very likely the hand of God sending a trial their way to test their maturity, resolve, and perseverance.  As we’ve already said, this one of the ways God guides us, corrects us and grows us.  I hope you can approach such situations with that thought in your heart.  You know, “OK God, what are you trying to show me?”  It really does help.

Let’s move on to the other verses we’re considering today.  The next three deal with what you might call “The Growth of a Sin”.  I know that sounds weird but according to the next verses we can see that being tempted isn’t a sin.  It’s how we react to that temptation that gets us into trouble.  Here’s a quick refresher of the verses in question.  

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

While God allows trials and test in our lives He doesn’t tempt anyone.  Temptation comes from only one place…the evil one, Satan.  And temptation can give birth to sin if we let it.  You see, temptation is not sin.  It’s when you give in to the temptation, when you let it take root in your mind that it grows into sinful behavior.  Our outward behaviors almost always begin with an inner thought.   As we read in verses 14 and 15 we begin with a thought, then we dwell on it, we think about it, we may even obsess over it.  Eventually it dominates our thoughts and before you know it, we act on it and then we’re in trouble.  One good example is an extramarital affair.  They rarely “just happen”.  There is a building up of “what ifs” in our mind much like I just described and at some point those thoughts become actions an then it blossoms into sin.  Jesus actually upped the ante regarding such sin and said if you dwell on it in your mind, you have already committed the sin in your heart.   You can read it for yourself in Matthew 5:28.

That little white lie you told to get you out of something you did wrong?  That was sin!  That little flirtatious “thing” you have going on at work?  That’s sin!  That feeling of “I’m gonna make him/her pay for that!”?  That’s sin!  That juicy bit of gossip you just have to tell the girls or guys?  That’s sin!  We have made up all sorts of cute little names for it but in God’s eyes it’s simply SIN!  And we all know how He feels about sin.  God hates sin!  Make no place for sin in your workplace, in your home, in your heart or in your life!  Watch for it and, when you see it, run from it.  (Biblical term: “flee” 1 Cor. 6:18; 1 Cor. 10:14; 1 Tim. 6:11; 2 Tim. 2:22)

“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness.” (Ephesians 5:11A)

 

 

If you find that you have been living in a less than perfect way regarding some of the things covered today, welcome to the club.  You are not alone.  All of us fail and fall but thank God we don’t have to stay there.  God offers us forgiveness every time we confess with sincere hearts.  He makes things new every day and offers us a fresh start.  What a loving God!

I will share 2 more verses with you as I close this post.  They are pretty clear so I will just end with a brief paragraph after sharing them here. 

“Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created”

Every good thing is from your heavenly father.  He’s the one thing in our lives that is stable, unchanging and something we can truly count on in our daily lives.  In verse 18 James reminds us that it’s through God’s son, Jesus, the one called “the word of truth” that we receive the new birth, new life, salvation, the opportunity to become part of God’s family.   If you know him as your Savior then the life James is describing in this letter is the life that you can and should be living.  James is writing his letter to believers throughout the known world.  He’s writing to you and me today as well.  He’s giving practical advice about living our faith: ‘Real Faith in the  Real World’.  Until the next time may God bless y’all.