James 1:9-27

Marks of the Mature Christian:  HE IS PATIENT IN TESTING –

1:1-12 Trials on the outside

v. 13 -27 Temptations on the inside

The brother of humble circumstances - More literally this reads "the brother, the lowly one." One's lowly circumstances has no bearing on once worthiness as a brother in Christ, for both rich and poor are on the same level at the foot of the Cross. As an aside, it is notable that many poor believers were in the early churches (Acts 2:45; 4:35; 1Co 1:26, 27, 28; 2Co 8:1). James well knew how oppressive and disheartening such circumstances could be.

The brother of lowly circumstances does not need to become disheartened by his present material poverty, for he is the possessor of spiritual riches that more than counter his material poverty.

V. 10  The lost (unbelieving, unregenerate, unsaved) world (and sadly too often even the saved) has a misconception that to be materially "rich" is desirable, not realizing that being "rich" is a major impediment to receiving the free gift of eternal life (Mt 19:23, 24, Mk 10:25). Paul was pointed in his warning about riches telling his young disciple Timothy...

Spurgeon pithily phrased it this way... Humility is to make a right assessment of oneself....Do not be proud of race, face, or grace.

V. 11 James continues the explanation of his simile begun in the previous verse in his description of the state of the man who has earthly wealth. Here James vividly paints the picture of the transitory nature of the rich man's life.

As James saw it, Christianity brings to every man what he needs. As Mayor put it "As the despised poor learns self-respect, so the proud rich learns self-abasement."

(i) Christianity brings to the poor man a new sense of his own value (Ed: Beloved, you may not see yourself this way. You may think "You don't know what I've done. He would never want to use me." You are wrong. Jesus came not for the healthy but the sick and He "fixes" and uses broken things [people]! Do not let the Accuser of your soul tell you you are of no worth to the King and His Kingdom work! You are of great value, beloved!) (a) He learns that he matters in the Church. In the early church there were not class distinctions. It could happen that the slave was the minister of the congregation, preaching and dispensing the sacrament, while the master was no more than a humble member. In the Church the social distinctions of the world are obliterated and none matters more than any other. (b) He learns that he matters in the world. It is the teaching of Christianity that every man in this world has a task to do. Every man is of use to God and even if he be confined to a bed of pain, the power of his prayers can still act on the world of men. (c) He learns that he matters to God.

As Muretus said long ago, "Call no man worthless for whom Christ died."

James draws a vivid picture, very familiar to the people of Palestine. In the desert places, if there is a shower of rain, the thin green shoots of grass will sprout; but one day's burning sunshine will make them vanish as if they had never been. The scorching heat is the kauson . The kauson was the south-east wind, the Simoon. It came straight from the deserts and burst on Palestine like a blast of hot air when an oven door is opened. In an hour it could wipe out all vegetation.

This is a picture of what a life dependent on riches can be like. A man who puts his trust in riches is trusting in things which the chances and changes of life can take from him at any moment. Life itself is uncertain. At the back of James' mind there is Isaiah's picture: "All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people is grass" (Isaiah 40:6-7; compare Psalms 103:15).

James' point is this. If life is so uncertain and man so vulnerable, calamity and disaster may come at any moment. Since that is so, a man is a fool to put all his trust in things--like wealth--which he may lose at any moment. He is only wise if he puts his trust in things which he cannot lose. So, then, James urges the rich to cease to put their trust in that which their own power can amass. He urges them to admit their essential human helplessness and humbly to put their trust in God, who alone can give the things which abide for ever.

First, we can glory in the fact that God has opened our eyes to see the vanity of worldly wealth and status. To live to accumulate the world’s junk and to strive after the world’s acclaim is futile!

Second, we can glory in the fact that God has shown us the essence of true happiness and honor. True happiness is to know God. True honor is to be a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. “Thus says the Lord, ‘Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,’ declares the Lord” (Je 9:23,24).

Third, we can glory in the fact that we now have an eternal inheritance that will never be taken away. Psalm 49 mocks the rich man, who congratulates himself, naming his lands after himself, and thinks that his fame will endure forever. It says, bluntly (Ps. 49:12), “But man in his pomp will not endure; he is like the beasts that perish.” But believers have “an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1Pe 1:4-note)

V. 12 "refers overwhelmingly to the distinctive religious joy which accrues to man form his share in the salvation of the kingdom of God."  means possessing the favor of God, experiencing "spiritual prosperity". It describes a state of being marked by fullness from God.

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial - Not "Blessed is one who is never tried"! To be sure there is an element of this blessing which is experienced in this present life but the "bulk" of the blessing looks toward our future life with Christ. Trust your loving, sovereign Father to use the trials as faith-growing tests now and source of a reward in the future.

Wiersbe writes that James...Outlook determines outcome. This beatitude is a great encouragement because it promises a crown to those who patiently endure trials. Paul often used athletic illustrations in his letters, and James does so here. He is not saying that the sinner is saved by enduring trials. He is saying that the believer is rewarded by enduring trials.

v. 13 Trials may be tests sent by God, or they may be temptations sent by Satan and encouraged by our own struggle with the flesh.  We must be cautious that the tests on the outside does not become temptations on the inside.  When we face the challenge of “hard knocks”/ difficult circumstances, we may find ourselves complaining against God, questioning His love, and resisting His will. 

We know that God does not want us to yield to temptation; yet neither can He spare us the experience of temptation…we are not His sheltered people, we are His scattered people.  God tests but does not tempt!  The temptation to cheat is an opportunity to accomplish a good thing in a bad way.  It is not wrong to eat; but if you consider stealing the food, you are tempting yourself. 

James describes the process of sin in four stages:  Desire v. 14 It is perfectly normal to have desires…it is when we attempt to satisfy them in ways outside of God’s will.  You do not become more spiritual by denying these normal desires or seeking to suppress them.  Constant control through the power of His marvelous grace is the answer.  Make these desires your servants and not your masters. 

Deception v. 14 No temptation appears as temptation.  It always seems more alluring than it really is.  DRAWN AWAY…baiting a trap; ENTICED…to bait a hook.  The idea is (hunter and fisherman) hide the trap and the hook!  A temptation carries with it some bait that appeals to our natural desires.  The bait attracts but also hides the eventual consequences of yielding.  When you know the Word, you are most discerning and can detect the bait and deal with it decisively!

Disobedience v. 15 Desire conceives a method for taking the bait.  The will approves and acts; and the result is sin.  Christian living is a matter of the WILL not the feelings.  A mature Christian acts because it is right no matter how they feel.  The more you exercise your will in saying a decisive no to temptation, the more God will take control of your life.  Phil. 2:13

Death v. 15 See that all the wrong decisions leads to death…if we embrace that truth, it will encourage us not to yield to temptation. 

Consider God’s goodness v. 17  His goodness is a great barrier against yielding to temptation.  It is better to be hungry IN the will of God than full OUTSIDE the will of God.  If you begin to doubt God’s goodness, you will be attracted to Satan’s offers; and the natural desires within will reach out for his bait. 

James states: God only gives good gifts!  The way He gives is good!  He gives constantly!  God does not change!  Because He is unchanging, we should never question His love or doubt His goodness. 

v.18 Consider God’s Divine Nature within.  When we accept Christ, He performs the miracle.  His nature is gracious, through God’s Word, finest birth possible!  No matter what excuses we make…we are responsible for sin in our life. 

v. 19 – 27  Don’t be deceived…don’t deceive yourself.  Some think they are saved when they are not.  Some believe they are spiritual and they are not!  We have three responsibilities toward God’s Word:

Receive the Word v. 19 – 21 BE swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger

Have a prepared heart v. 21 pull out the weeds and prepare the soil for the implanted Word of God.  It is foolish to try to receive God’s Word with an unprepared heart.  Prepare through confession, meditating on the Word and have an attitude of meekness…accept IT do not argue with it and honor it as His Word.  Don’t try to twist IT to conform it to your thinking. 

v. 22-25 Practice the Word.  Hear it and DO IT!  We may mark our Bibles but our Bibles should mark us!!!  The Word is like a mirror that enables us to see ourselves as we truly are!  EXAMINE YOURSELF!  Don’t just glance, don’t forget what you see, don’t fail to obey what it tells you to do.  After examination, the Word cleanses…cleanses the heart and the mind from spiritual defilement. It restores!!

The Word works a work in us…II Cor. 3:18 “When the child of God looks into the Word (the mirror) he sees the Son of God and he is transformed by the Son to share in the glory of God!” 

This leads to the responsibility of SHARING:  V. 26-27  Pure religion means practicing God’s Word and sharing it with other through speech, service and separation from the world.  The tongue is a problem, it reveals the heart…if the heart is right, the speech will be right.  A controlled tongue means a controlled body.  Words are no substitute for deeds of love…SERVICE TO OTHERS!  We are in the world but not of the world if we belong to HIM.  We will suffer harsh consequences if we become conformed to the world…does not suggest that we lose our salvation, but that we lose all we have lived for.  It is not necessary for a Christian to get involved with the world to have a ministry to the world.  The Lord in humanity, Jesus, was UNSPOTTED and yet He was the friend of publicans and sinners.  The best way to minister to the world is to be pure from the defilement of the world.