Faithful on Fridays Blog

1:1-18

Pastors have a serious responsibility to preach and teach every week, but also to warn their people when needed and Pastor James took this opportunity to address issues that were appearing within this first church. Ruling over your thought-life is crucial (vs. 1-4) when troubles come your way and remembering that they’re allowed by God will strengthen your faith. Endurance is the truth you count on and, like a long-distance runner or hiker; you never give up until reach your goal. 

How do you endure the pressures of life to the finish line? Asking God for wisdom is the first step (vs. 5-8), in faith and without allowing doubt to slip in, as you stay single-focused. When doubt enters your thought-life and you don’t rule over it (counting, vs. 1) you become a spiritual schizophrenic! Being double-minded is when you say one thing and do another; you haven’t leaned into joy and God’s wisdom, but have allowed your outward circumstances to rule your emotions. Bad idea. 

This pastor moves on (vs. 9-15) to warning his church family of the contrast between the poor and rich evaluating how they handle their outward circumstances. When the poor are in a low place they’re joyful when God lifts them up, on the other hand, when the rich experience humility of any kind, they’re joyful as well. He encourages his congregation to not base their spiritual life on anything other than God; He’s eternal and riches are temporary. 

There’s a blessing waiting for those who don’t give up under trials; it’s the athlete’s crown of victory, a life that’s pleasing to God, with proven love and trust in Him. That’s not to say we aren’t tempted: we are, however, it’s not God that tempts, but our own desires. When we allow ourselves to be led into situations that feed our natural desires, love of money, taking offenses or unforgiveness, alcohol/drug abuse, sexual immorality, you name it, we open the door for Satan. He brings death: of relationships, of health, of trust in God. James desired his people to understand their weaknesses, standing against them in the Spirit’s power. How do we accomplish that? By taking control of our thought-life, admitting we need God’s power, and humbly asking for it. 

Finally (vs. 16-18), he declared God to be the Father of Lights, our Heavenly Father giving good gifts to everyone who believes, and lightening our way to victory. We are His prized possession, His children, and He wants only what’s best for us. When we do life God’s way, not our own, we can be confident we’ll triumph over trials, testings, and temptations because we’ve followed the Word of Truth, Jesus Himself, who led a perfect life, but also endured the sin of the world as He hung on that cross.

As you read this first chapter of James’ letter to his church family, make it your own, and pray for your own congregation and pastor. Like God, these truths never change: they’re eternal.