James gives us practical handles for godliness. Last week, we saw that the Christian will face trials of various kinds, and the call to turn to God and ask Him for wisdom.
In every trial, everyone is twice tested. Firstly, in the trial itself. Secondly, in the inward trial. There is a temptation to self-pity.
(A) Beware of Disordered Desires (Jas 1:12-15)
At the beginning of the chapter, we read in James 1:2-4 that trials are producing an effect right now. But in James 1:12: James holds out something different. There is a promise of a crown of life to all who are steadfast under trial.
Do you think of your Christian life in this sense — to remain steadfast because there is a reward awaiting you? Some of us may be shy to talk about rewards in the Christian life, but these do turn up in Scripture — we see it here in James. James speaks of a “crown of life”, a crown that is life. We persevere because we are to think about the reward that God has promised for us, and it is laid out in accordance to the path He has planned. James challenges us by widening our view of life. The Christian is challenged to think of and view life in a way that’s different from the world — with a longer horizon.
What guarantees this reward? James helps us to see that this is guaranteed because God has promised the crown of life to those who love Him (Jas 1:12b). The Christian’s life of steadfastness is not just about toughing it out and enduring by sheer resolve. James is helping us to see that the Christian’s steadfastness is one of faith, borne out of love for God.
James anticipates a challenge and is also incisive in his understanding of the human heart (Jas 1:13a). He recognises that there is something more that lurks. He presents two truths that the Christian should hold on to in trials and temptations. In our difficulty, we often doubt God — especially His sovereignty. We ask: If you are really in control and sovereign, why are things so difficult? Why are things more difficult for me than the other person? Why is God withholding this relationship/career? Why didn’t He give me an easier childhood?
God is sovereign and does allow for trials to come our way. But He never tempts us to produce evil. He is a God who does not delight in the death of the wicked. He desires that all turn away from evil and sin and turn to Him.
James tells us that temptation does not come from God. He also goes on to help us to see where temptation comes from.
Our external circumstances — what we find difficult — is actually revealing what is happening inside of us (Jas 1:14). While we pray that God will ease us from the difficult trial, let us also remember to ask that God will change our hearts. James is helping us to see that the real challenge is happening within. The external trials is helping us to see the real challenge that is going on in our hearts.
James uses two metaphors to help us understand and guard against temptation. Firstly, there is a sense of hunting — from the words “lure” and “entice”. A violent struggle is going on and a similar idea is provided in 1 Peter 2:11 — where we get a picture of a war that’s going on. There is an irony of giving in to these fleshly desires. The hunter is actually the hunted.
Secondly, there is a picture of birth and growth (Jas 1:15). This is a tragic mirror image of the rewards of steadfastness. Instead of life, pursuing our temptations because of our desires eventually results in death.
Where are you in your war against sin? Does anyone know where you are at? This book of James was written to a group of Christians. These things will always flourish in the darkness of night. These things are meant to be worked out in the light of day, in the company of other believers.
Is there a part of life that you have hidden from everyone else and have been nurturing in the dark? If so, don’t continue in darkness and go to someone to ask them for their help! Go to someone who can help you to love God. As Chalmers put it, we need the expulsive power of a new affection.Only a new and better affection can drive out our old affections. Nothing apart from the love of God will drive out the desires that are so natural to us.
Go to someone that can help you to love God, that you may be known by Him.
James also gives us abundant reasons to know God’s love.
(B) Behold Your Father of Lights (Jas 1:16-18)
James speaks of the reality of a deception that can take place in the midst of temptations (Jas 1:16). We may be tempted and deceived to pursue our desires but James also tells the brothers to remember God’s character. God is described as “the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (Jas 1:17). Genesis 1 teaches us that God spoke, and the lights of the world came to be. In the same way, all of life and any goodness that we come to enjoy in it comes from God. 1 John 1:5 tells us that God is light and in Him, there is no darkness. In beholding this God, the Father of light who is abundantly generous, we are able to guard our hearts against temptation.
The question that we should have is, how can a good God bless an evil and rebellious people like us? We naturally pursue our own desires, which gives birth to sin and sin brings forth death. Yet James shows us a God who is generous, merciful and kind who gives us more than what we deserve.
And we are further assured that He does not change. He does not change and He is entirely trustworthy (Jas 1:17b).
Behold your Father of lights. He is generous.
In James 1:18, we see that James wants us to bear in mind this exemplary gift. The agent at work is God, out of HIs own will (Jas 1:18a). All of this is God’s own doing.
What has He done? He has brought us forth (Jas 1:18b) In John 3:3, we see that this means that God brings us to life. We bring forth only death. We are dead in our sins. But God takes what is dead and what stands in rebellion against Him, and brings forth life. This happens at regeneration, at our new birth and it is wholly God’s work and will.
The means through which He did it is by the word of truth (Jas 1:18c). This is crucial for us to understand all of James. James is clear that it is possible only because of what God has done in Christ, the living word, the good news that God saves sinners (c.f. 1 Pet 1:22-25).
Have you considered the highs and lows of your life? On what basis will you build your apprehension and knowledge of God’s goodness and love for you? Decide for yourselves today that you will base you understanding of God’s goodness and love not on the circumstances of your life but on that word of truth that has come to you and is near to you this very day. This word says that Christ has come to die for sinners and this is the testimony of God’s love.
The lyrics of the hymn, “I hear the words of love” goes:
I hear the words of love
I gaze upon the blood
I see the mighty sacrifice
And I have peace with God
’Tis everlasting peace
Sure as Jehovah’s name
’Tis stable as His steadfast throne
Forevermore the same
The clouds may come and go
And storms may sweep my sky
This blood-brought friendship changes not
The cross is ever nigh
I change - He changes not
The Christ can never die
His love, not mine, the resting place
His truth, not mine, the tie
My love is oft-times low
My joy still ebbs and flows
But peace with Him remains the same
No change Jehovah knows.
Impress upon your heart these words. God shows us steadfast love and He changes not. We love this kind of steadfast God. This love also works itself out in our own steadfastness! We are changed to become like our steadfast God.
Why has He done so? James tells us that He acts that we should be a kind of firsttfruits of his creatures (Jas 1:18d). To understand the idea of firstfruits, let us consider the change of seasons between winter and spring. Upon observing the first sign of life in spring after winter, we would be excited and look forward to more signs of transition, and for spring to finally arrive. But no one will say “that’s enough” when witnessing the first bud or first leaf appear.
In the same way, James is reminding us to not be contented with whatever we have now! Romans 8:22-23 shows us that God has something greater for us. Set your hope on these things. This is God’s will — and He will bring it all to pass.
Blessed is the one who remains steadfast under trial. He promises us a crown of life if we remain steadfast.
How are you fighting temptation today? Does a love for God help to spur you on in the fight? What truths about God are you tempted to doubt in the midst of your trials?
How would your life change if you apprehended God’s love on the basis of what He has done for you in Christ?