A LETTER FROM JAMES 

Study notes
Chapter 1 – part 1

Although the letter of James is only short with five chapters, it addresses some of the very fundamental behaviours of humanity. In it, James is not afraid to call a spade a spade and confronts issues that may well have been unpalatable, but very crucial to the ongoing development of the early church.

Greetings from James

1 This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad.

Greetings! (James 1:1 – NLT)

The use of the word slave here is unique to James and Jude who distinctly describe themselves as a slave of God and Jesus Christ, as distinct from Paul who describes himself as a slave but also qualifies himself as an apostle. The appellation is most likely used intentionally since James saw himself in the role of God’s slave; obedient, humble, loyal, yet aware of the great honour God had bestowed on him.

This letter from James is directed to Jewish Christians outside Israel. History records that the Jews were one of the most dispossessed nations on earth, often driven from their homeland or seeking to escape oppression. Of all nations on earth, the Jews are almost unique in being able to keep their culture and religion intact over thousands of years despite dispossession, oppression and genocide.

2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. (James 1:2-4 – NLT)

Faith and Endurance

James commences with a familial style of greeting as brothers and sisters, and there is a sense here of a close relationship as he tries to instruct and encourage these dispersed Jews who are new to Christianity. On appearances James does appear to jump between subjects as he tries to help his brothers and sisters in this Christian lifestyle. It is possibly the first book of the New Testament written, and it deals with some basic issues for new Christians. It may well have been that these new Christians were suffering the first pangs of persecution and were not sure how to handle it.

Hang in there

Becoming a Christian does not enrol us in some sort spiritual insurance scheme where will be free from the trials and troubles that are common to all humanity. In fact, the reverse may be quite true, for in electing to follow Jesus we have made an enemy of Satan who will use whatever he can to deflect us from our allegiance to Jesus.

We need to see these troubles as faith challenges that will enable us to develop and grow, emotionally, mentally and spiritually, and the success of conquering the challenge is an opportunity for joy and celebration. Faith is never a static thing; either it grows and develops, or it atrophies and diminishes.  Facing and overcoming the challenges life throws at us strengthens the backbone of our character and produces a core of endurance.

Just as the pain of childbirth matures a woman, so suffering and troubles will mature the growing Christian. Sometimes it is prudent to accept that some suffering and troubles are simply there, and we cannot change the circumstances that caused them. In such circumstances it is wise to cope as best we can with them, knowing that in the final analysis we will survive and triumph and we will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. (James 1:5-8 – NLT)

Finding the answers

When we are assailed by troubles and suffering the first thing we seek are answers; why is this happening? How did this occur? Have I done something wrong? etc. Good, old-fashioned wisdom becomes a priority. The first step in acquiring wisdom is to remember the words of the previous verses and use the experiences and challenges life has thrown at us as a basis for wisdom; what have I learnt from these challenges? How will these solutions guide and direct through this present challenge?

However, there are times when we need a wiser mind than our own to sort this out, and to find a way to cope. To simply say; ask our generous God, sounds, and probably is, a bit simplistic at first glance. However, its needs to be seen in the total concept of biblical teaching and comprehension and we are naïve if we simply believe that by some mystical process God will just envelope us with all the answers we need.  It is true the Holy Spirit will influence us to find the answers and we need to make prayer our initial action.

However, God is not some magic angel that just grants wishes, and he expects that we will use the cognitive processes he has created within us, to look for solutions, knowing that when people try to think through and resolve their own issues, they grow in many areas of their lives. After authentic prayer our initial approach ought to be: does the Word of God say anything about my situation? Are there other Christians I can trust to help me?

Humility and decisiveness

There are a couple of other issues to be considered. You need to be humble enough to ask for wisdom in the first place and don’t be offended if others may deride you because God will not rebuke you for asking. When God does answer, through whichever method he may choose, obedience and faithful determination are crucial. Unfortunately many come looking for answers and go away unrequited because they don’t like the answers God reveals.

Such an approach to God requires firm faith and a willingness to accept his answers, even if at times they are confronting. Not all God’s of answers line up with our desires and it takes a firm and focused faith, and committed obedience to make a firm and correct decision.  Nothing will destroy our peace of mind more than indecision and uncertainty.

James is quite firm that an uncertain and wavering person cannot expect an answer from God, probably because they can’t make decisions and consequently cannot see answers when it stares them in the face. The citizen of the kingdom of God cannot have divided loyalties, they belong to the kingdom and trust the King implicitly, or they belong to the world with all its delusions. Instability can never be the hallmark of the citizen of the kingdom of God.

Prayer and meditation

Father, when tough times come, help me to hang in there and understand that you are a God who is ever-present, a God who understands my anxiety and frustrations. I know that the solutions I seek can be found in a trusting and open relationship with you, for you are a generous God who delights in giving generously to his children.

Help me to find and accept an authentic humility that confronts and challenges any sense of arrogance and self. May I be decisive and positive when you respond to me, give me guidance and help me to be obedient to that guidance.

Hear my prayer, in Jesus name – Amen.

Meditation Video – I believe, help thou my unbelief

https://youtu.be/HZVgd50nJDo