Category: Tested Faith: A Study of James

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 

James has just given an incredibly encouraging statement by saying God “gives to all men liberally  and upbraids (gets angry) not” but then follows up with a verse that seems to completely contradict it. It’s easy to read James 1:5–7 and think he is describing two different God’s. One who gives generously in love (James 1:5) and another who refuses to give blessings (James 1:6–7).

The key to understanding this contradiction is noticing the emphasis that James places on coming to God in Faith.

A visual picture is given to us in 1:6 of a wave in the ocean that is pushed along (driven) and thrown around (tossed) by the wind. The idea is of something that’s constantly fluctuating or moving back and forth with no peace or consistency at all.

This picture can easily be applied to a person who doesn’t ask God for wisdom in Faith. The circumstances or experiences of life like wind will toss that individual from being a confident Christian, to questioning the goodness of God in a matter of minutes.

This fits in with James 1:5 because we are told anyone who wants faith should ask God for it. The word for ask in that verse is actually the Greek word alteo which means; “to ask (in genitive case): —ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require.” [2]

In other words God will give His wisdom generously only to those who cry out loudly and beg for it. Now this may seem unfair at first, but the truth is only those who truly trust God (and seek Him fully) deserve to receive that wisdom.

I guess the bigger question is should a loving God demand that we have complete faith in Him?

I mean honestly if He was actually loving and generous wouldn’t He give help no matter how weak we are?

Actually this act of God that seems so unloving [3] is one of the most loving things He can possibly do to us.

Every parent at some point in their lives has to place rules or restrictions on their children that seems unfair. Of course this results in an argument that usually ends with the parent saying “because I said so that’s why!”

The truth is those restrictions are about much more than the parent wanting something to happen.

Parents have a better knowledge or understanding of life than their children because of lessons that have been learned from experience. And with that knowledge  they are able to see dangers their child is heading towards when the child doesn’t. So for the SAFETY OF THE CHILD they place restrictions on them.

In the same way God knows that someone who doesn’t have any stability like the wave in James 1:6 will never really be able to honor Him. Also the kind of testimony that they share will give other people the wrong idea about Christians [4].  But the greatest danger with this lifestyle is it finds strength in ourselves (emotions/feelings) instead of God.

So in love He refuses to bless those who don’t exhibit true commitment…and lovingly calls them to give Him first place.

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[1]: from Strongs Greek Concordance

[2]: demanding complete trust in Him

[3]: When things are good they live for God, when things are bad they don’t

James in verse two of this book encourages his readers to do something incredibly strange by being cheerful when facing a trial, or test from God (James 1:2). He proceeds to explain this painful experience is actually a blessing because it develops endurance (1:3) and a healthy character (1:4). In verse five he now changes focus from ourselves, to our relationship with God.

God in this verse is described as a Loving Father who enjoys helping his Children.  While this is true James doesn’t share it so we will demand things of God (there are individuals who WON”T receive wisdom from the Lord 1:6–7). Instead he is explaining to us a very encouraging truth.

You don’t have to have all the answers

James phrases the beginning of 1:5 as “if any of you lack wisdom” but he could say “when you lack wisdom” because one of the most frustrating parts of a trial/test is confusion.

Often in suffering we are unable to think about things logically since we are in an emotional state of mind (I suffer with this a lot). If this isn’t an issue, then we face the greater challenge of not knowing which one of our many options is the RIGHT choice to make. And most of us know what it feels like to stare at option F as options A-E have failed and constantly second guess ourselves.

In that moment of confusion and frustration James reminds us that God will give us wisdom if we turn to Him.

Last month I was struggling with a problem that couldn’t be fixed no matter how hard I tried. Finally one afternoon in frustration I took a walk through the neighborhood praying to the Lord [1]

In the middle of that walk a small thought came into my mind, and I knew that was what God wanted me to do…later on that night I had peace for the first time in three days because God I knew God was working things out for His Glory [2]. To make a long story short, last week God worked everything out in a way that only He could.

James 1:5 is an encouragement to us (God will give wisdom) but also a challenge because we see it’s God’s job to lead (guide and make decisions) instead of ours. Our job instead of making decisions is to trust Him (James 1:6–7). King Solomon worded this beautifully in the book of Proverbs

Prov. 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge him (my job), and he will make straight your paths (God’s job).

So we see that this is another reason to rejoice when trials come…because there’s nothing like a trial to clarify whose job is whose. And keep me from trying to do God’s instead of my own.

The bottom line of this verse is one of hope because in our darkest moments God has promised we will hear Him whispering.

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[1]: much of it was done out loud so my neighbor’s now probably think I’m crazy!

[2]: birthday cake oreos did have something to do with that as well 🙂

James 1:4  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 

James has already made readers question his sanity by encouraging them to rejoice when painful situations come (James 1:2–3) but he follows that up in 1:4 with another strange command.

He encourages these Believers to submit to their suffering. In other words, don’t try to escape the pain that your experiencing right now. Because it’s doing a work in your life for the Glory of God.

Instead of suffering James does use the word “steadfastness” but has already explained this is created by the testing of our faith, or trial that God has placed in our lives (James 1:2-3).

Specifically James is encouraging the Believers to allow their steadfastness (endurance) to grow into maturity. We know this because…

1. The words full effect when translated means “complete work” [1]
2. The word “perfect” when translated comes from the same Greek word “teleios” but takes the meaning of maturity
3. Complete comes from the Greek word “holokleros” which translated means “perfectly sound or whole” in referring to a body [2]

If you will allow me to paraphrase this verse, James is encouraging them to become healthy adults spiritually.

This verse is important because God knows that many people have very strong physical bodies or minds. But few of them have very strong character.

There is good reason for that…
You can’t build character at the local YMCA on a weight machine

There’s just something about pain and suffering that reveals our weaknesses, our selfishness, the demand to have things our way. When faced with the ugly picture of ourselves most of us try to cover it up making ourselves look healthy when we really aren’t.

One of the gyms I used to train at in Australia was broken down into two parts. The downstairs portion had all of their weight machines, while cardio equipment was up a flight of steps. I spent hours were spent on an exercise bike or rowing machine watching men and women below me who were incredibly strong, but in terrible shape.

Oh don’t get me wrong, they would probably be able to rip me in half with their bare hands. However ask them to run up a flight of steps and they’ll be ready to collapse 🙂 Underneath all of that muscle are incredibly weak lungs.

In the same way many of us (myself included) walk around acting as if we are incredibly strong while at the same time covering up our serious character flaws. And James is telling each one of us to stop.

Stop trying to cover up the weakness suffering reveals

1. Instead allow the pain to highlight your struggles
2. Confess it as sin against God
3. And ask Him to transform your life through the reading of Scripture along with prayer

I’m not saying that it will be easy…but as submission to suffering’s work becomes a habit God will develop a true character of Godliness that puts any bodybuilder to shame.

 

 

[1]: from the Greek word “teleios” which means- complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun, with 3588) completeness: — of full age, man, perfect.

[2]: Complete:   648. oJlo/klhroß holokleros, hol´-ok´-lay-ros; from 3650 and 2819; complete in every part, i.e. perfectly sound (in body): — entire, whole.

James 1:2   Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 1:3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

Even though I spent most of my life in Winston-Salem North Carolina [1] till a few years ago it didn’t occur how many hills there are in WS.

Thats before I started them every Saturday morning 🙂

In 2013 I joined a training program that involved running with friends at least twice a week using routes decided ahead of time . At first it was just done for fun, but that was before graduating from a 5k program to one that prepares for a half-marathon.

I vividly remember one Saturday morning when the head coach excitedly told us we were going “downtown” the groans from other runners told me this wasn’t going to be as fun as she made it sound.

Later that week I jokingly wrote a Facebook post about “running every hill in Winston” which prompted the head coach to comment with the words “every hill?”. I never wrote anything about the hills again in fear she would make me pay for it 🙂

The truth is our routes were purposely made tougher than the toughest course any race can throw at us. In particular our coach went out of her way to include as many hills as possible.

Of course there is a method to the madness since our training on ridiculous hills makes what other races call a “hill” seems more like a bump in the road. This is why we often refer to hills as opportunties

This different name sort of gives a new perspective on the painful hill because it’s viewed as an opportunity to become stronger. It also focuses the mind on a future event (being strong on race day) instead of the pain in that moment.

In the same way James in verses two and three encourages Believers to view trials as opportunities to become stronger.

The word “trial” in James 1:2 and “test” in 1:3 have almost the same meaning. “Trial” in the Greek is literally interpreted “putting to proof” and “Testing” is interpreted as “trial, trying.” So this would be an experience that tests an individual, or proves what kind of person they really are. In most cases this would involve a temptation to rebel against God, or frustrating experiences.

James asks the believers to be joyful (have sheer joy) when these painful things come because it develops steadfastness-literally interpreted “endurance.” So he is saying just like the hills in training build physical endurance (strength) the painful experiences of life build a spiritual endurance (faith in God instead of just getting angry).

Okay so what does this mean for Christians?

You can’t focus on the painful moment

I guarantee you I didn’t share my coaches excitement about running “downtown” that Saturday morning, and I really don’t think the hills where what made her excited either. Instead she looked PAST that day and was thinking about what we WOULD BECOME because we ran downtown.

Even so James encourages us to take our eyes off the pain of that moment in trials, and focus it on the moment our faith will bring great Glory to the name of God.

 

[1]: moved here around the age of eleven