Studies in James

1. Studies in James Presentation 01

2. Background The author of this epistle is generally identified as James the brother of the Lord [Matt 13.55; Mk 6.3]. The bothers of Jesus are found with the Jerusalem church in Acts 1.14. The date of the letter is not easily established. However if James the Lord’s brother is the author then it must have been written before 62 AD [the date of James’ martyrdom]. Some think that this was the very first New Testament book to be written. The readership are thought to be mainly Jewish converts scattered beyond the boundaries of Palestine. There are occasions when unbelieving Jews also appear to be addressed. This would fit with an early date for the letter when believing Jews continued to attend local synagogues. Presentation 01

3. Purpose Because this is a general epistle [unlike many of Paul’s epistles that were written to address particular needs in individual churches] the purpose of the epistle has a wider focus. There is a lack of distinctive Christian doctrine rooted in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Because of the absence of Christian doctrines found in other epistles Martin Luther the famous German reformer called it, somewhat unfairly, “a strawy epistle in comparison with the writings of Paul, Peter and John”. Yet James, in this short epistle, reproduces more words spoken by Jesus than are to be found in all of the other New Testament epistles put together! This epistle is very similar in style to that of wisdom literature [cf the book of Proverbs] and extremely practical in its application. Presentation 01

4. The Structure of the Book Introduction and Trials in the Christian Life (1: 1-8) Happiness in our Circumstances(1: 9-11) Trial, Temptation and Gift (1: 12-18) Hindrances to Fruitfulness(1: 19-21) Doers and Hearers (1: 22-25) True Religion (1: 26-27) Favouritism (2: 1-7) The Royal Law (2: 8-12a) Showing Mercy (2.12b-13] Faith and Works (2:14-26) Teachers and the Tongue (3: 1-12) True and False Wisdom, (3: 13-17) Peacemakers (3: 18) Defeat Through Lack of Submission(4: 1-6) Victory Through Submission(4: 7—10) Judging One Another (4: 11-12) Boasting of Tomorrow (4: 13-17) The Misuse of Wealth(5: 1-6) The Need of Patience (5: 7-12) Appropriate Responses (5:13-16) Restoring the Wanderer (5:17-20) Presentation 01

5. Trials in the Christian Life Chap 1v1-8 Presentation 01

6. Introduction James begins with a subject that is relevant to men and women of every age and asks, ‘How good are we at coping with trials that seem to shake the very foundation of our faith?’ Some Christians are persecuted, tortured, imprisoned, while others are ridiculed and cast out of their family and workplace. Still others have their life turned upside down by the loss of a loved one. Some are struggling with critical health issues and difficult circumstances. James addresses this subject which can at times appear overwhelming. Presentation 01

7. Attitude to Trials James is a realist. He doesn't say, "There is a faint possibility that you may suffer trials" but "whenever you face trials of many kinds”. He recognises that we cannot live the Christian life and escape trials. There is no immunity for the Christian. It is a perversion of the gospel to preach, ‘Come to Jesus and your troubles are over’. Indeed, the experience of many is that their troubles seem to begin when they commit their lives to Jesus. Some teach that trouble and affliction is only to be found in the lives of the worst Christians. They think, ‘Trials are a sign of God's displeasure!’ And many Christians when faced with sore trials ask, "What Have I done to deserve this?" We wrongly suppose that trials are punishments. That kind of thinking discredits God! Presentation 01

8. Attitude to Trials James tells Christians to count trials as pure joy. His teaching is quite different from that of Stoic philosophers who taught men to "grin and bear it" similar to what is described today as "British stiff upper lip". James’ teaching appears similar to the dental receptionist who tells patients in the waiting room that once on the dentist’s chair they will have an exciting time. Or is James advocating a kind of hypocrisy? Are we to pretend to others with a great big smile that all is well when inside we are hurting deeply? Are we to follow the songwriter’s advice to, "Powder you face with sunshine put on a great big smile". Is James asking us to apply a superficial spiritual cosmetic? No! How then can the Christian face trials with pure joy? Presentation 01

9. The Purpose of Trials When James talks about God’s trials, he talks of ‘a testing of your faith’. Tests can prove the genuineness of something. Today, unscrupulous men counterfeit things of value: furniture, paintings, bank notes... Now one of the most valuable things a person can possess is saving faith. For this reason the N.T. constantly asks if our faith is genuine. We would not buy an expensive work of art without it being authenticated by an art expert. What expert do we call in to pronounce our valid? The answer the New Testament gives is to ask how we cope with trials. Cf Jesus parable of the sower in Mat 13.20 "what was sown in the rocky places...when trouble and persecution comes he quickly falls away" Now note the reaction of some of Jesus ‘disciples’ Jn. 6.66ff... Trials provide the opportunity to prove the genuineness of our faith, Because trials cause them to cling to Christ! ‘Where else can we go? v68’ Presentation 01

10. The Purpose of Trials A second thing a test can prove the quality of something. Some students are confident that they know their subject well. Then they sit an exam designed to test the quality of their knowledge! The confidence of some is deflated when the exam results are posted. They discover that there is a great gulf between how they viewed their ability and how the examiner viewed it. God's testing not only distinguishes between genuine and counterfeit faith its quality its strength! We can think that our faith is far greater than it is until we are tested and brought to our spiritual senses. Presentation 01

11. The Fruit of Trials God also uses trial to produce something in us. James identifies three qualities developed under trial. Perseverance: This is absolutely vital to spiritual progress. George Mallory the famous mountaineer never returned from his climb on Mt. Everest. The conditions were appalling. The last entry recorded at base camp stated “when last seen he was still climbing”. That is a picture of perseverance under trial. It is a refusal to stop or turn back. When the N.T. asks, “How is a genuine Christian identified"? The answer it gives is perseverance. “But the one who endures to the end will be saved”. Matt.24.13

12. The Fruit of Trials Maturity - Completeness: The purpose of perseverance is spiritual maturity [v4]. Maturity doesn't come out of a bottle. Nor is it the product of a further crisis experience after conversion. No, it comes through exposure to one trial after another. We are made patient by being placed in situations or beside people who constantly test our patience. God produces love in us by placing us next to those we think unlovely people. God produces courage in us by placing us in situations we naturally fear. God uses trials to perfect us - to make us complete in Christ. Presentation 01

13. The Fruit of Trials I asked the Lord that I might grow, In faith and love and every grace Might more of his salvation know, And seek more earnestly his face I hoped that in some favoured hour, At once He'd answer my request And by his love's constraining power, Subdue my sins and give me rest Instead of this he made me feel the hidden evils of my heart And let the angry powers of hell assault my soul in every part Yea more with his own hand he seemed, Intent to aggravate my woe Crossed all the fair designs I schemed, Blasted me and laid me low Lord, why's this, I trembling cried, Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death Tis in this way the Lord replied, I answer prayer for grace and faith These inward trials I employ, From pride and self to set thee free and break thy schemes of earthly joy, That you may seek thy all in me John Newton Presentation 01

14. The Fruit of Trials Wisdom: Many years ago a minister wrote: "Labour to grow better under your afflictions, lest your afflictions grow worse, lest God mingle with them more darkness." He recognised that Christians do not always make the best use of their trials. James tells us that understanding comes as we ask God to make us wise so that we begin to understand why trials have been allowed to invade our lives cfv5ff. God draws back the curtain to enlighten us without finding fault. When God shows us what his trials have been designed to expose and correct, he does not rub our noses in our sin and failure but encourages us to benefit from our trial. Presentation 01

15. The Fruit of Trials Wisdom: The purpose of trial, after all, is to make us wise and experienced in life and to refine and shape our characters. Such wisdom comes in response to believing prayer. Note that James adds, ‘if we ask in faith’. It is then that God imparts wisdom and understanding. When James speaks of faith, he is not thinking about a lack of faith in the sense of the man who cried ‘Lord, I believe help my unbelief’. Rather he conscious of the fact that we can ask for wisdom and insight with mixed motives. James highlights one of the basic problems in the Christian life. Divided motives are one of the chief hindrances to spiritual advancement. Presentation 01

16. The Fruit of Trials Wisdom: We can ask God for enlightenment and understanding saying we really want to know the truth about our situation. But in our hearts we qualify that request and say, ‘We will receive what God has to say as long as it does not touch this precious area of my life’. James is thinking of the person who wants to walk with God, but also wants to hold onto things that will damage their spiritual progress. In one breath they say, ‘We want the truth’ but in another ‘it has to be truth we are comfortable with’. That is what James calls ‘a double minded man’. The Greek word points to a conflict caused by divided loyalties - a person who is not 100% sure of the direction in which they want to travel. God will not explain the purpose of trials to such a man! Presentation 01

17. The Fruit of Trials Wisdom: Some sick people visit the doctor but do not want to be told the truth about their illness. Doctors can often tell when a patient does not really want to know. In the same way when we come to God under trial, we may even be convinced that God uses trial for our good, and for the maturing and perfecting of our character. But when we ask, ‘Lord why is this happening to me?’ God can tell if we really want to know. He can tell whether or not we are in earnest about putting right any wrong that the trial might have been designed to expose. And on the basis of that he either gives enlightenment or he withholds it. Presentation 01

18. Conclusion All of our trials fall within the boundary of God's control. No trial will come across a Christian’s life which God does not permit. And if God has permitted this thing to happen then it must be for our good. Trials are God’s tests but they are more than tests they are his means of building the likeness of his Son into our lives. This transformation of character is not automatic. It depends upon our response to God’s trial. How teachable are we? How willing are we to find our hearts exposed and to see we are not all we thought we were? How willing are we to change? These are vital questions. And if you find yourself asking, why should I change? then the answer lies in the cross. It was for this that Christ died. Presentation 01