As we read in the previous study, James is writing to the 12 tribes in the Dispersion in this epistle (Jas 1:1). Acts 2:5-11 helps us to see that James is not referring to specific 12 tribes of Israel, but to New Testament Christians who hail from different nations and at the time of writing, are probably scattered throughout the world. The word “Dispersion” also tells us that these are a people that are scattered from their homeland, under government persecution and oppression etc. This helps us to understand the victimised audience that James is writing to. In the same way, it helps us to understand that we too, if we follow Christ, are also not at home and yearn to return home – and perhaps under persecution!
In this study, we continue to see how James exhorted the Christians to cling to and pursue Christ.
(A) Faith Tested: Maturity Perseveres Under Trial (Jas 1:2-4)
James assumes that Christians will (not if) — encounter “trials of various kinds” (Jas 1:2b). James exhorts his readers to respond to trials it by counting it all joy (Jas 1:2a). There’s a sense of taking stock of the trials, thinking of it rightly, and not pushing it aside in escapism. James exhorts them to correctly face these trials and intentionally count it as joy.
What motivates this attitude?
In the book of Habakkuk, the nation of Judah is under siege and the prophet cries out to God for help. Why would God allow this to happen to His people? But by the end of the book, we read these verses in Habakkuk 3:17-19. There is a sense of barrenness and fruitlessness in the land with a sense of hopelessness. “Yet”, the prophet chooses to rejoice in the LORD in spite of his dire circumstances. Why? The writer is motivated by the right view of God. God is the God of his salvation and is his strength. God make his feet like the deer’s and makes him tread on high places. This is a picture of stability despite being on rocky ground. This is a picture of security, stability and calm in the midst of a dangerous situation. Thus, this gives us a glimpse of how God’s people can have a sure confidence in God despite their circumstances.
Today, we, too face trials of various kinds. And like James’ original readers, we can face it with joy. The testing of our faith is not pointless and produces steadfastness (Jas 1:3). Steadfastness speaks of an endurance in faith, standing firm in what we believe in in spite of the trials. There is a deep sense of confidence that who we place our faith in — Christ — is trustworthy.
James goes on to say that we need to let steadfastness have its full effect, that we may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (Jas 1:4). It is a picture of us being God’s workmanship that grows to be more and more like Christ as He works on us.
Thus, James’ attitude is motivated by understanding that this trial, which God allows, has a reason. God is using this to make us the perfect and complete person that He intends to make us to be. The Christian therefore does not see trials as an inconvenience or a hurdle or an obstacle. We can see it as God’s means to grow us in our steadfastness and to perfect us in our faith as we wait for Christ’s return.
James is concerned about how his readers think about their present trials. Will they see it as a testing that produces steadfastness, that they may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing? Will it even be an opportunity for growth?
We live in a world that naturally avoids inconveniences and discomforts at all costs. We want to avoid trials. This should shape the way we see trials and protect ourselves against the natural narrative of the world around us. Our priority must be not to avoid trials at all costs, but to think rightly about trials. What do we need to do this?
(B) Faith’s Ask: Wisdom To Endure (Jas 1:5-8)
A certain clear-mindedness is called for in trial, and we need God’s wisdom to do this. James assures his readers (and us) that God will indeed give wisdom, and do so generously, without reproach (Jas 1:5). God will give us more wisdom than what we need for our circumstances. He is not stingy. He also does so without hesitation and He desires for His people to ask Him. He wants us to approach Him in our need when we face trials!
Godly wisdom informs our perspective and how we understand situations. It is not found in nature and neither can it be bought (c.f. Job 28:12-28). Godly wisdom is priceless and can only be given by God, enabling us to think His thoughts after Him. “The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding” (Job 28:28). This stands in contrast with how the world sees wisdom. James tells us to ask God for wisdom only He can give.
Godly wisdom recognises who God is and also the reality of our sinful state. Wisdom begins with a healthy reverence of the God who is Creator of all things — including us — and is holy, while we are not. Yet, God desires to be with us and has made a way for us in Christ. And in Christ, He continues to desire to grow us and to perfect us to be holy, just as He is.
Yet wisdom is given conditionally — to ask in faith with no doubting (Jas 1:6). But, don’t we all doubt? Does that mean wisdom is not accessible to us? James gives us a picture of a man who is driven and tossed by the wind, whose belief in God changes with circumstances. James calls him “double-minded”. While faith and doubt can coexist, we should rightly understand that the Christian takes hold of his doubt, confronts it, and pursues God regardless, growing in faith as he does so. The Christian acknowledges doubt and weakness, but also prays, “I believe, help my unbelief” (Mark 9:23-25). On the other hand, the “double-minded man” is the person who hedges against God, and in his heart, has not made up his mind about whether God is trustworthy or not.
James is speaking of faith that trusts the character and nature of the Giver. We go to God even in our doubt, and ask for wisdom to understand our trials rightly. This is what James is saying. Hebrews 11:1 tells us that faith is a settled trust and confidence in who God is, based on what He has revealed to us through His word about His character and Himself.
James shows us the great value of faith and wisdom in our trials, worth more than gold. Indeed, these are true treasures, since worldly riches are fleeting and will have little effect.
(C) Faith’s Value: More Than Worldly Riches (Jas 1:9-11)
James goes on to show how regardless of whether we are rich or poor, our wealth will not insulate us against spiritual struggles and trials. He points to sure realities that both the lowly and rich will face. Death, that great leveller, will come to all, both the rich and lowly, and our wealth will not be a security or stronghold in those days. In death, the rich man will be unable to bring with him all his riches (Jas 1:10). James tells the lowly brother to boast in his exaltation — what is for him beyond death (Jas 1:9). Because the rich man’s riches will not last, he will surely face humiliation one day.
In Matthew 5:3, Jesus taught that the poor in spirit are blessed. It is easy for the poor in spirit to see and recognise their state. In contrast, the rich are often blinded by their riches because they think their wealth will protect, exempt and secure them from what others will face (c.f. Matt 13:22).
James calls out the rich because it is hard for them to recognise their poverty of spirit. There is nothing wrong with being rich, but James warns against seeing wealth as everything and the ultimate security. Wealth in itself, does nothing towards advancing your faith and bringing you closer to God. Wealth can distract and hinder you from following after God.
The rich who are in Christ can therefore boast in circumstances of humiliation, because they know that they have something better than wealth, which is wasting away, and they will face what is inevitable. Paul can thus count everything as lost compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ as God. The rich in Christ, can be like the lowly, when they remember their common need of God.
James is speaking of a counter-cultural way of living by faith. Both the rich and the poor who cling on to Christ can face their trials with the greatest resources of all. They can look forward to something beyond what this world can offer will live in a way that is different from how the world does. Trust in this God will transform the way we look at our riches, and give us what we need for trials.
In conclusion, James encourages us to count it all joy when trials will surely come. The Christian can see those trials as shaping and moulding us towards godly maturity. What is critical in those circumstances is asking God for wisdom and because He is good and gracious, He delights to give and guide us in wisdom. In trial, we will not be defined by whether we are rich or poor – what we have in this life is not all there is — we look forward to something beyond this life.
What is God working in you through your present trials? In what ways have you doubted God’s good character and willingness to give wisdom? What is God teaching you about where you find true security in trials?