Tested Faith: A Study of James

James 1:9-When God’s View of Justice Doesn’t Fit with Mine

IMG_0393James 1:9   Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation,

Unfortunately for Believers, we live in a broken world, this means among other things that life sometimes isn’t fair. In fact Christians who are truly committed to Christ will face persecution or injustice because of their beliefs on a regular basis.

James in 1:9 gives an encouraging word to those brothers who have experienced persecution (brought low) by promising an exaltation (raising) would come from God. In fact James goes a step farther telling them to boast (have confidence in persecution) because God would raise them up.

In other words James is telling them not to worry because God would bring Justice.

I’m sure this verse was incredibly encouraging to these Believers and helped them rejoice in suffering (James 1:2) while allowing suffering to make them stronger (James 1:3–4) and exhibit faith in God (James 1:5–6). But it reminds me of a very important truth.

My definition of justice is going to be very different from God’s definition.

My definition of justice usually goes something like this:

  1. God’s going to remove all of my suffering right away
  2. Give me everything that I want (make me rich)
  3. And give blessing in a way that focuses the eyes of everyone on me

God’s view of justice looks like this:

  1. Injustice will be used to convict of sin, and continue the work of Sanctification
  2. God will give me exactly what I need to survive my suffering
  3. The final justice (removal of suffering) won’t take place till I live for eternity in Heaven

My point is this promise doesn’t mean God’s going to make you rich. instead it looks towards the future blessing in Heaven.

The word that James uses for “exaltated” in this verse (Greek Word hupsos) has two different meanings.

  1. The figurative meaning is “elevation or dignity”
  2. The abstract meaning is skies or altitude

Dignity here gives the idea of encouraging someone instead of pouring out every blessing they could possibly want. This is backed up because James 1:9 says the rich should glory in their humbling experience [1].

God’s judgment on the unsaved (rich) in James 1:9–10 does highlight the fact that God’s justice is focused on eternity (what happens after death) instead of this world [2].

So God’s justice doesn’t fit with my view of what justice should look like [3] but instead encourages me to boast in my “future justice” after death.

At first this seems unfair till we really think about it…

What is one lifetime of suffering (let’s say 90 years) compared with eternity in the presence of God.

In a place that has no brokenness (suffering, pain, death, injustice)

Where every day will be filled with worship or my Savior Jesus

The truth is my definition of justice is very “self-centered” and definitely shallow. For a moment of glory on the earth is nothing compared with millions and millions of years in perfection.

This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t cry out to God for justice. But we need to remember the true deliverance won’t come until we are with Him in Glory.

 

[1]: being brought low or discouraged

[2]: Notice that after the first phrase in 1:9, the rest of God’s judgment deals with death of the unsaved, and their losing all of their blessings for eternity.

[3]: judgment of others in spectacular fashion and massive blessings on me

From the Blog

The Awesomeness of Being Island Famous

IMG_0544Since the town I am living in Barrouaille (pronounced “barley”) is small most of the people walk everywhere so yesterday I started walking around town (takes about an hour) and greeting everyone along the way.

There are a few reasons for this:

  1. To learn more about the island culture and begin relationships
  2. To introduce myself to people as a missionary who is temporarily continuing the work of a pastor they know
  3. And learn where everything is in the community
  4. Most of all however I walk through town to take advantage of being “island famous”

Island famous is how they refer to a white person or American since few of them live on the island, in fact I happen to be the ONLY white person in my town. So my ethnicity attracts attention.

This morning after walking down from a hill a man who I passed going up called out and said “hey this lady wants to talk with you.” When she refused to talk the man asked a question for her “why are you  (a white man) walking up and down our road?” I don’t blame him for being curious since the only other white person there was the missionary I replaced.

Being island famous can make things a bit uncomfortable [1] but it’s also a wonderful way to start conversations, and develop relationships with other people that build bridges for the Gospel of Christ.

So I walk around town twice a day

In Kakhi pants and a collared shirt [2]

And sweat pouring down my face

In order to develop relationships with the people, and share the Gospel of Christ

But beneath the awesome blessing of being island famous is an awesome responsibility.

The thing is everybody I talk to know the pastor who I’m filling in for. He has been on the island serving in different ministries for almost forty-years. So in a way I am continuing the ministry legacy of this man

That excites me and scares me at the same time

Of course I have no problem taking responsibility for my actions after making a foolish decision [3]. But when those actions affect someone OTHER THAN ME it changes dramatically. Now I have a huge responsibility to protect not only my reputation, but that of the man before me.

Being island famous in a deeper sense has reminded me that Christians are called to be unique or different than the world. A truly Christian life probably won’t stand out as much as being the only white person in a small town, but it will draw people just the same.

If we are faithful to walking in the Spirit and honoring God someone will eventually call out and ask “why are you living that way?”

But this will only happen if they see us living differently

So take a walk around town
And live in a way that’s radically different…a way that attracts attention
And be ready when they ask why you are there

 

[1]: I get stared at a lot

[2]: I was encouraged to do this by the missionaries since other pastors on the island dress this way

[3]: acting before thinking, making a foolish statement

[4]: why do you live that way?

Tested Faith: A Study of James

James 1:6-Why God Doesn’t Give Wisdom

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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.

 

[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

From the Blog

What The Island Has Taught Me

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My first morning in St. Vincent I walked out onto the balcony of a hotel where I was staying [1] and witnessed an incredibly breathtaking view of the ocean.

That night my field administrator with Baptist Mid Missions who spent the first four days with me took a five-minute walk to the beach, and came back with the most beautiful picture I had ever seen.

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When we think about St. Vincent or the Caribbean these are the kinds of pictures that come to mind. In a sense that’s true since beauty is all around you on the island. But in a deeper way St. Vincent doesn’t turn out to be the paradise that you envision in the pictures.

Oh don’t get me wrong…St. Vincent is an awesome place to be. But just like every other place in the world you see brokenness .

  1. Broken people trying to find their identity outside of Christ
  2. A broken culture that builds itself on mans ideas of what justice should be instead of God’s Truth
  3. A broken way of living that could never truly satisfy

This brokenness finds it’s source in a curse that Scripture calls a “Sin Nature.” Basically that means given the choice between doing things the way God wants to do it and the way we want to do it, we will choose our way every time.

Of course when faced with brokenness and rebellion against God most of us try to make an excuse for our sin nature instead of admitting we need Christ as a Redeemer.

While it’s not possible to list all excuses most of them use the if only I __________ then I would live for God pattern

If only I had more money
If only I had a better job
If only I was in a relationship/married
If only I had that one thing I really wanted

We create an idea of perfection or paradise in our mind, believing if we could just have that thing then everything would be okay.  But we realize too late every paradise is like St. Vincent

beneath the beauty and excitement is the curse of a sin nature

Walking through my small community of Barrouaille (we would pronounce it as “barley”) I saw many people living in what lots of people would call paradise that were incredibly sad and filled with hopelessness.  My prayer is in the short time I’m here I can explain to them hope isn’t found in any “paradise” but a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

I expect living on the island to teach me many things about life and God, but if it only teaches me this one lesson it’s enough….There is no such thing as paradise.

[1]: Spent the night at once since the flight had been delayed, and didn’t get there till after midnight

Tested Faith: A Study of James

Suffering Reminds Us of God’s Wisdom, and Our Inadequacy (James 1:5)

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.

 

[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 🙂