Missions Paul

This chapter James is helping us to understand that we will all be tested to be approved by God. During that testing the tempter is near and we must resist and later James will tell us if we do we know he will flee (4:7). God is good. He gives good things and He is speaking to us through the testing. The question is whether we can hear Him.

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” (James 1 v 19-21)

Can you hear Him?

I love The Message on this: “Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear.”

1. Lead with your ears! Jesus often rebuked the Pharisees, ‘Have you not heard?’ They had heard God’s Word, they knew God’s Word, but had not been able to apply God’s Word to themselves individually.
2. Follow up with your tongue! How often do we speak before we listen when we come to prayer within our testing time? How can we speak when we do not know what God is wanting to say?
3. Let anger struggle along in the rear! How easy it is to be angry towards God when tested. Get rid of ‘This is not fair’ attitude.

There is one more beautifully written understanding of what James has written. “In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.”

Within the testing we may have our own opinions and desires, we may know what justice looks like and we may want the world to know it. James gives a contrast. Don’t be like that. He has already told us we were birthed by the word of truth, v18, now he says ‘accept the word planted in you’. Basically let God’s Word be heard within you, let it shape your responses and let the words of the prophet Jeremiah be known, “‘I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (Jer 31:33).

And finally … this will “save you” within the testing. Not only within the testing but for your whole life on earth bringing you to your ultimate salvation. Amen!

This English phrase may be strange to our International friends but we have used it for years, especially around Christmas and birthdays. The gift which has benefits that continue to repeat themselves for a long period of time is the ‘gift that keeps on giving’. Like a teapot but not like a box of chocolates!

In the time of testing when faced with temptations of many kinds it is important James says, to know that God is good. He is testing us because He is good. He does not tempt us for He is good. What He gives is good and what He brings lasts.

^“Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.” (James 1 v 16-18)

The sun, moon and stars (the heavenly lights) are always moving and changing their positions. Their variance is how they were created. But God is not like that. He is not in one moment offering good and then the next moment bringing bad experiences to you. He doesn’t have some winter period where the sun is not seen as much. He is constantly good. He is always good. He is the source of the good that comes to us. All the gifts that He brings to us are good.

There’s more. James has already explained that within the testing the lie of temptation is near. It isn’t from God it comes from our own ‘evil desire’. God has now given ‘us birth’. We have received His grace and His salvation ‘through the word of truth’. This is not the deception of temptation but the truth that sets us free within that testing to be ‘a kind of firstfruits of all he created.’ The Bible is full of this expression but it basically means the special, the chosen, to which God has redeemed us to be.

The testing period then does not need to result in us walking down the path of temptation. We are more than that. We are a chosen people and precious to Him. So within the testing that is who we are. The firstfruits of God to a world who need to know Him. God continues to give through us to a lost world. The Gift that keeps on giving.

This testing we go through is to approve us, it is the dokimos word that I wrote about a few days ago. God’s ultimate desire for our life is to bring us through it having stood the test of time and to stand before Him approved, mature in every way in Christ Jesus. Job understood this: “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10) James continues to reveal an aspect within the testing that we must look out for and that is the temptation that latches on to the testing.

^“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” (James 1 v 13-15)

So the testing time is God approving us, placing a value on us, maturing us. God is there at the centre of your trial. But we see something else is possible and we know it all too well in our life. That is of temptation. The temptation that says “I am justified because of this testing to go and do whatever I want to do. I deserve this.” The testing may be God leading you into a huge disappointment to mature you but then comes a temptation that says, “I am going to respond angrily” or “I am going to go and get drunk” or “I am going to go and overspend to make me feel better”. God has nothing to do with this temptation. There is no aspect of the testing that involves this. “Let no one say God is tempting me” for the reasons:-

1. The Message uses the word impervious to show us what James is saying. God is incapable of being damaged by temptation.
2. The source of temptation isn’t from God. He tests but He doesn’t tempt. He never entices.
3. The temptation happens because we drag ourselves away from the testing or within the testing into a fantasy moment. Let’s look at that for a moment.

Since the first lie in the garden the devil has continually worked at destabilising who you are in God. Every sadness he has exploited; every accusation he has magnified; every mistake he has echoed; he has continually reminded you of what you don’t have and who you are not. You need to work harder and better. He is the father of lies. He is the tempter. And if you are going through a test watch out today because he will not be far away.

The sinful desires are easy to list as a Christian.

But what are we grasping for? We reach, we long and we chase. These false dreams, deceptive satisfaction and poisonous fruit are by their descriptions dangerous. And we never get what we hoped for. In turn they attack us to steal, kill and destroy our lives and James says it gives birth to death.

So I encourage you today if you are in a testing period of time. Have a proper and right view of God. He does the testing but the tempting has nothing to do with Him. He does not want you to be lured by the use of bait even if you are hungry and it looks a needed response to give.

There are so many great verses in the Bible aren’t they? And this is one of them. This stand-alone verse bridges the gap between a concluding introduction and the start of another one.

And we are brought back to the teaching of Jesus.

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (James 1 v 12)

The word ‘Blessed’ is the healthy well-being of a person and yes, happiness. The Beatitudes jump to our minds. A list not to be achieved but to be recognised as what actually is. Preachers would often preach that we should be poor in spirit to be part of the kingdom. But not so much now since Dallas Willard’s Divine Conspiracy, which enables us to see the list as descriptive not prescriptive.

The world teaches us that happiness is achieved with what you have gained or earned. Jesus teaches us that happiness is found in Him. Those that enter the kingdom are people who realise that all that they chased after would never have satisfied anyway.

So who is blessed? It is the one who is not wanting sympathy, they are not giving up, they are holding on. You see, happiness is not dependent on circumstances, it is dependent on the Lord in the circumstance. The crown of life is eternal but it is also now.

There is a period of waiting during the trial, it is a test, but we serve One who was also tested in fact in every way and never failed. “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation.” (Isaiah 28:16)

A tested stone. In every way possible He was tried, tempted, tested and He came out totally obedient.

Here is the guarantee. If you are under trial today and holding on then joy is yours that the world cannot give; victory is yours for Christ has overcome the world; dignity is yours though you originally felt worthless; you can grow through this suffering for He is with you.

Your value must be seen from the perspective of God and not of this world. How easy it is to fall into the temptation that our worth is based on material possessions or popularity.

James refers to the rich several times in his letter. It is difficult to determine whether these are believers within the community and he is addressing the behaviour of the poor and the rich together or whether the rich are the unbelievers oppressing the poor of the church. I am sure there are many who have a better viewpoint on that. I don’t think it matters too much but I am just noting it.

“Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.” (James 1 v 9-11)

James tells us that our bank balances can impact our spiritual perspective negatively. The poor can complain, become bitter and miss what God offers them. The rich can get their worth from what they hold and they miss the fact that what is in their hands is temporary, it can fade away even when they live but definitely when they die.

When I am with the Christian poor in every nation of the world I am always drawn to the thought that of all the stages of the world where God could be, He is here the most. He is here with the broken, the bruised and the forgotten, the poor. He is not here in weakness but with power, glory and great joy. There is a richness that I have never experienced and have longed for all my life. Better a poor man who can see heaven open than a rich man whose worldview is the earth. James reminds them not to hold their head in shame but recognise that they have a high position in the economy of God and in the community of the Church.
In contrast whereas the poor should lift their head, the rich should bring their head down from any lofty position to realise that it is not what is in their hands that counts but who is in their life. You will know several Christian rich people who God uses to bless the poor. And you are most probably one of them! You might not call yourself rich in comparison to others but you give to the Church and to missions, charities and people in need. You do not glory in your possessions and your money. You know every earthly thing that you have is fading away. You know if there is any arrogance because of your prosperity it will be exposed and humiliated by it not lasting just like a flower in the garden. You know it is never about how much you have or how little you have. It is seeing this world through the perspective of God.

“When they were up they were up and when they were down they were down and when they were half way up ……… they were Christians”

The Grand Old Duke of York! What a great Pastor?! He had his work cut out, he had 10,000 in his church!

Sorry for those who haven’t a clue who the Grand Old Duke of York is!

It is just so difficult considering our trials and difficulties with ‘all joy’. It can be a difficult message to hear. How do I know whether to ask God to deliver me from these trials or to strengthen me within them?

But James knows this, that’s why in his next breath he says:

Get wisdom

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” (Hebrews 1 v 5-8)

We desperately need heavenly wisdom, if we are going to be able to go through the trials. Note the repetition of the word lack, James is wanting the Jewish Christians to aspire to completeness, wholeness, and he gently says ‘if any of you lacks’, but probably he’s saying ‘since you all lack’, the realisation that we as followers of Christ do lack, ‘ask God for wisdom’. 

Wisdom helps us to see more clearly.

Wisdom is knowing God with a living heart-knowledge which gives real insight into life, into right and wrong, which regulates conduct and shapes our whole selves, it goes way beyond knowledge, it illuminates our intellect. Wisdom is equivalent to practical religion. It is far superior to knowledge.

Wisdom is to see things clearly, having a godly insight into things as they are. Seeing earthly things and temptations as they really are. If we have this wisdom we won’t lack. 

And to encourage us to ask for this James reminds us just what God is like:

He is generous – whenever we ask for wisdom God will give it, and he gives it to all, to anyone who asks. 

And wonderfully he gives without finding fault – he doesn’t meet us in our trials and suffering and say to us, ‘What on earth are you doing now, don’t you know how to get out of this!?’ Or ‘Look at the fine mess you’ve got yourself into now!’

We must ask!

How? With confidence and certainty. These verses are not meant as condemnation by James, he’s not saying those of you who doubt or struggle or wrestle with stuff, won’t receive from God, rather he’s saying don’t be looking to God half-heartedly, looking to God but really looking to other places for help as well. 

Be sincere when asking God for wisdom, just in the same way he is completely sincere about giving it to you. 

How amazing it is, that to obtain such godly wisdom all we have to do is ask. 

We don’t have to study harder or get qualifications. James isn’t saying to us if we lack wisdom we should read more, go and visit more teachers, or become more learned. If you want to learn theology you have to study it, to become a doctor or lawyer or anything else you’d have to study. But this is different.

This isn’t about a head knowledge but about the heart. This wisdom is seated in the human spirit, God’s spirit dwelling within us. If it’s divine wisdom we require, we are to ask. The insight, that is so clear and vivid and so perfect, is from God. It comes to us from the Spirit that dwells within our hearts.

May our prayer be one today of ‘Lord, grant me wisdom, wisdom to see things the way you see them. Wisdom so that I will lack nothing.’ 

Sometimes we’re so keen to pray and ask God to remove the suffering, to get us out of it, rather than ask for wisdom through it. We need wisdom to make the right use of it. 

We need to see wisdom as the prized possession.

It is about 50 AD, so after the death of Jesus. James writes to those ‘scattered among the nations’. He urges them to be patient and to persevere during the trials and temptations, to continue to live consistently with what they learnt previously in Christ and to live humbly in God. 

The Apostle’s heart was to bring comfort, to reassure them that they haven’t done anything wrong to be in this situation, but they can still trust God, still rejoice in the things of the kingdom, wherever they are, in all places, and at all times. 

Above all, James is wanting them to get the wisdom of God in this terrible time for their life. Despite what they are going through he encourages them to press on to seek the wisdom of God, and become complete and whole, moving towards living in the likeness of Christ. 

7 times the book of James refers to making us perfect, the true meaning of that word, is whole, complete, living a life of consistency and being authentic. 

Authenticity is choosing heavenly wisdom, trusting God, deciding to listen and do, serve and love others, speak in love, care for the poor, devoted wholly to God, despite the situation of life.  

The two main influences of James’ letter come from the Sermon on the Mount teaching where Jesus introduces us to an upside down Kingdom but also the Wisdom found in Proverbs especially ch 1-9. It is the wisdom of God that we will see come through time and time again.

The Holy Spirit through this book of James says to us this morning, whatever you are going through, no matter how tough …

Consider it pure joy … or

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (Hebrews 1 v 2-4)

Now we need to hear James right here. He’s not saying be joyful about suffering, but rather be joyful in suffering, because we know what God can and does do for us through suffering. 

James is not saying to us, pretend your trials are fun. He’s urging us to remember what God is doing in this. It says ‘count it all joy’ or ‘consider’ it joy. He’s not saying how we should feel, but rather how we should think. 

But why am I going through this? That is often the question. James says it is for the testing. He uses the word ‘dokimos’ and it means approval. The word is found underneath many ancient pieces of pottery that archaeologists have discovered. It meant that the pieces had gone through the furnace without cracking: it had been approved. God’s ultimate desire for our life is to bring us through it having stood the test of time and to stand before Him approved, mature in every way in Christ Jesus. Job understood this: “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10)

I’m currently re-reading a classic, ‘Man’s search for meaning’ by Viktor E Frankl. He was a psychiatrist who died in 1997 but a Nazi concentration camp survivor. He lost his parents, brother and his wife all in the camps. How do you survive this? Here is his most famous quote and it is about finding a new perspective: “Everything can be taken from a man except one thing: the last of the human freedoms – this is to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”

James says this new perspective is productive, it brings steadfastness which is an endurance to remain in the toughness of life and keep your spiritual fervour. Doing so means it will be worth it. For you will be approved.

That is what it means to find a new perspective when it is tough.

On this day of Pentecost I begin a new book and it is from an apostle who was there on the first outpouring, James.

Jesus appeared to James following his resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7).  Jerome, a fourth century Christian author, records a legend which says that James had made a vow to not eat or drink until he had seen Jesus raised from the dead.  Supposedly, Jesus appeared to James and said, “My brother, eat thy bread, for the Son of man is risen from the dead”

Galatians 1: 18-19 Paul mentions James as the brother of Jesus.

The appearance to James changed his brother’s life.

But of course before this appearance we see James the seeker after His Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ in the days leading up to Pentecost.

Acts 1: 14 “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.”

In that place were people who were angry, disappointed, failures, the unworthy and the ignorant. In that place were those in grief and dealing with the trauma and loss of what they had experienced. In that place all had a sense of fear of what would happen now.

And yet, in this place they began to do what they would do throughout the years of the early Church, they would pray. And by doing so they would begin to experience the divine exchange when heaven touches earth. It would not be in the Temple as they and every Jew believed was the place for this but it would be in the ordinary places of life. In an upper room. In any place where you stay. In this place here right now. This is the space and the time to do what is the most important thing on earth, to pray. No matter who you are or what you have done or what you have experienced, you can pray.

James became a leading figure in the church at Jerusalem.  When Peter was released from prison he came to the house of Mary and told of how the Lord had instructed him to tell James and the brethren of his prison escape. Acts 12

When the controversy arose over certain Judaizers who were demanding the circumcision of Gentle Christians, Paul and Barnabas met in Jerusalem with the apostles and elders, and James played a significant role in that meeting (Acts 15)

Paul who referred to James, along with Peter and John, as pillars in the church who had extended to him and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, and encouraged their work among the Gentiles (Galatians 2:9-10).

It is moving to hear James refer to his brother as “our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory” James 2:1. Can you imagine what this phrase meant for James? The Lord of glory had once slept beside him, ate at his dinner table, played with his friends, spoke to him like a brother, endured his unbelief, paid the debt of his sin, and then brought him to faith.

It may have taken 20-30 years of faithful, prayerful witness by the Son of God, but the miracle occurred: his brothers believed. May the Lord of glory grant the same grace to our beloved unbelievers.  Legend has it that James was stoned to death in Jerusalem.

James writes to Jewish Christians who have been displaced and dispersed. They are in the biggest storm of their life since they found Christ as Saviour.

This is the first Christian community, forced to leave their home, scattered all over the place, they’re suffering, they’re facing despair and they’re being persecuted. The Jewish nation is crumbling into parties and fractions. It is the half-brother of Jesus, James, who is trying to navigate them through this storm? It is about 50 AD, so after the death of Jesus.

“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.” (James 1:1)

James writes to those ‘scattered among the nations’. He urges them to be patient and to persevere during the trials and temptations, to continue to live consistently with what they learnt previously in Christ and to live humbly in God. 

The Apostle’s heart was to bring comfort, to reassure them that they haven’t done anything wrong to be in this situation, but they can still trust God, still rejoice in the things of the kingdom, wherever they are, in all places, and at all times. 

As we close this amazing letter of Hebrews we do so by reading of 3 very important truths to live by. Your relationship with God, having friends in your life and living by grace.

“Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly. ²³ I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you. ²⁴ Greet all your leaders and all the Lord’s people. Those from Italy send you their greetings. ²⁵ Grace be with you all.” (Hebrews 13 v 22-25)

The writer says that this letter was brief. Well this is my final blog on Hebrews (the 138^th one!). Whether you think Hebrews is brief or not I guess it would have not taken too long to read it aloud in one go. The questions is what is the impact? Will they be obedient to its challenge? Will they remain devoted to Jesus Christ and resist the return to Judaism?

And you? Will you do what God has called you to do?

Secondly, don’t rush past the individuals. Timothy having been released from prison is wanting to come to see them along with the writer of the letter. ‘All your leaders’ and ‘all the Lord’s people’ and the Italians who are obviously living in the writer’s region. The point is: community. Relationships, belonging, fellowship. This is so important. I have just come from my denominations annual conference and what a joy to see so many people who are classed as friends. Guests from overseas commented of what they saw in the depth of friendship being witnessed.

And you? Which people are you so grateful for today?

And finally, Grace.

But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honour because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. (Hebrews 2:9)

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:29)

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. (Hebrews 12:15)

Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so. (Hebrews 13:9)

Grace be with you all. The final verse.

This whole letter has not been an easy listen for its readers. There is much to challenge them. But it ends with grace. These early Christians were thinking of giving up, some already had. They needed to persevere just like Jesus endured the cross. We don’t know who this writer was nor to who it was written for. It was written for us.

It was written that we might trust what God has said in His Word.

It was written that we might walk in holiness within the finished work of Christ.

It was written that we might honour the person of Christ and not water down this orthodox position.

And it was written that we might not fall away into heresy.

And you? How will you continue as a Christian? It has to be Grace. There is no other way.

We are not given the detail of what they thought they needed. But going through persecution and the doubts of their faith it is not too difficult to realise that they are reliant on God. It could be that they feel they have failed in some way, perhaps because of their desire or even decision to return to Judaism and now wonder if they can be brought back to the position they once held. Don’t we all experience that at times?

“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, ²¹ equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13 v 20-21)

You have not been put here to simply struggle, to be overwhelmed by life’s predicaments.

God has a purpose for your life and it is to do good works.

The ultimate is not just faith in Jesus, following Him and going to heaven. It is also to do good to those here on earth.

Imagine for a moment if every disciple of Jesus woke today with one thought only and that is to do good. To alleviate someone’s hurt, to listen to someone, to kneel before a sword-wielding child with the soothing words to heal that troubled soul.

The immature enter ‘their’ church and are more interested in ‘serve us’ than ‘service’. After a while they begin to say ‘it’s not working for me here.’ NO. The church was never meant to work for you.

The mature follower of Jesus stops asking ‘who’s going to meet my needs?’ and starts asking, ‘whose needs can I meet?’

You don’t need a title or a trophy to do a good work. You don’t need training to be nice to someone, to help them smile and to make life a little easier. You just have to think less of yourself.

Wherever you are you can do good to others and that is the calling on your life. Many years ago I buried a man who thought he would be healed because ‘God has something for me to do, I don’t know what it is yet Pastor but I know He will tell me.’ I buried him with regret that this man had not seen the importance of good works. He died before he realised God was his equipper.

Your Equipper tells you to move today.

You may feel paralysed by your situation: Move is the command. You might be incapable but move and see that you are more than capable. He is your equipper.

Your hand may be shrivelled: Move is the command. You may feel your best days are over but move and you will see everything restored. He is your equipper.

You may drifted asleep in the garden of Gethsemane. Move is the command. You may have slipped away from where you should be but move and you will be reconnected to God. He is your equipper.

With this command comes the ability to do just that. That is the equipping.

I have seen those in self-pity get up, those who used to have passion for Jesus get up, those who gave away their potential get up, those paralysed by a stronghold in their life get up, those in the grip of guilt and self-condemnation get up.

He is your equipper.