The Book Of James, Part Two
Gtcotr/ws020205
Last Wednesday evening we began a brief look at the book of James.
As you may remember this book is filled with practical information and concrete instructions for living the Christian life.
I believe that this general epistle was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit by the half-brother of Jesus, one of the younger sons of Joseph and Mary of Nazareth. This is the same James who became the presiding pastor over the first church in Jerusalem.
Last week we studied the first four verses to find that:
1. One can pass the test of faith and fail the test of patience.
2. It takes faith and patience to inherit the promises of God.
This week we begin with Chapter 1, verse 5, remembering that James is talking about the importance of developing patience and giving it time and space to work for you.
In fact, for the sake of continuity, lets begin at verse 2 tonight.
James 1 NKJV
2 ¶ My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
The specific need for wisdom spoken of here is directly connected to the acquisition of patience. How to acquire:
The wisdom to be joyfully patient in the midst of trials.
The answer to the question: How do I remain joyful and patient in this trial? Is herein described as:
* Ask God for that wisdom and He will give it.
* It does not imply that God will give joy & patience
* It does promise that God will give us wisdom to acquire …
Providing we ask God in faith: Believing that He will assist us.
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Double-minded
Greek word: dipsuchos dip’-soo-khos
Twice minded
“I think God will help me … I think God won’t help me … “
“With God’s help, I believe I can … I don’t believe I can …”
Peter experienced this when walking on the water:
Matthew 14:31 Jesus said, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
The Greek word rendered doubt here is the particular word:
‘Distazo’ meaning to waiver - broken down:
It’s root word, which gives it a deeper shade of meaning is the word:
‘Di’ or ‘Dis’ ‘dece’ - which means twice or again or to duplicate
This Greek word Distazo is only found twice in the bible. Once in Matthew 14:31 and once in Matthew 28:17 where Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection. The bible says there:
Matthew 28:17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
Some Duplicated? Yes! To think twice or have second thoughts
It was ‘second thoughts’ that caused Peter to begin to sink.
Faith was keeping Peter afloat on a miracle
Second thoughts about the ability of the Word of Jesus caused the miracle to end.
James is saying the same thing:
A double minded man - twice minded man - a person who is given to second thoughts about God, His willingness and/or ability to intervene and perform will cause that person to not receive anything from God.
Unstable faith is a show stopper.
Lets look next at verse 12
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
13 ¶ Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.
When a person passes the test, endures the trial and does not falter or fail in the face of being tempted to distrust God, quit believing, become angry at or blame God, this person will receive the promised crown of life.
God is not our problem and not the reason we are being tempted.
14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
This is the counsel from the Holy Ghost through the brother of Jesus, the founding Senior Pastor of the first Christian Church in Jerusalem:
When temptations or trials come to your life
* Don’t follow your desire into sin
* Don’t sin - if that’s your desire
* Don’t blame God for the trial - if that’s your desire
* Don’t loose faith in God’s goodness and will - if that’s your desire
* Rather: Ask God for help - for wisdom to endure
* God will give you the wisdom needed to rise above the trial with joy, patiently awaiting the deliverance and the reward from God.
* Patience will perfect God’s will for your life
* Let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing.
Next time we will pick up with a concept most of us desperately need
Verse 19: be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to show anger
