Five Qualities of a Steadfast Faith
Study Notes for James 1:2-18
Introduction
James is a most practical letter about living the Christian life day by day. It is an instruction to the Christian community about having a living faith. This first section, 12-18, is a kind of introduction to living in the wisdom of God. Some of the topics covered tonight will be revisited in further sections. In the first section of his letter, James reveals five qualities of a faith that lasts through the hardships and troubles we face in life.
1. Find Joy in Trials
James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Verse 1 in the New Living Translation: Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
In our introduction we talked about the book of James being written for Christians scattered by persecution (vs 1). Lucado: Both the Roman authorities and the Jewish religious leaders had reasons to persecute as many Christians as possible. To the Romans, the Christians were troublemakers. To the Jewish leaders they were blasphemers.
Thinking of trials as a source of joy is difficult if we focus on the trial. James is going to deal with some difficulties that they are facing: Favoritism in the church. Slander from other Christians Injustice/oppression from the rich. Suffering experienced from the culture around them. Sickness.
Joy can be found in trials because of what it produces: Perseverance. Perseverance is produced while enduring the trials and hanging on to faith. There can be joy found in the Lord in our struggles when we are focused on Him.
James 1:3 AMP Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace].
What does James mean when he says “the testing of your faith produces perseverance”? McKnight: “To ‘consider’ trials as an occasion of joy involves and act of faith, for instead of looking at the trial, the messianic Jewish community is instead encouraged to look through the trial to its potential outcome.”
The end result of perseverance is maturity, completeness. (Thoughts - McKnight:)
What does it look like for a follower of Jesus to be “mature and complete”? Maturity is not sinlessness. James believes the community should strive for a maturity level where verbal sins do not occur (3:2) and where violence is not manifested (1:19-21). Maturity is behavioral.
Wiersbe notes that some of James’ instructions relate to immaturity in adults:
Impatience in difficulties (1:1-4)
Talking but not living the truth (2:14)
No control of the tongue (3:1)
Fighting and coveting (4:1)
Collecting material “toys” (5:1)
James’ idea of maturity relates to devotion to God or a relationship with God. Finding joy in times of trials is a challenge, but a mature view seeks to find strength in God in difficult days.
2. Lean toward Belief When Doubts Come (James 1:5-7)
James 1:5-7 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
Trust God’s Wisdom more than human knowledge. James 3:13-17 talks about wisdom that comes from God vs earthly wisdom. Many have noted James’ letter’s likeness to wisdom literature (Proverbs). Wisdom is a gift from God. He gives generously. He gives without finding fault. Believe and not doubt. In chapter 2 he will tell us that Abraham believed God. Also that demons believe God as well.
Discussion Question: How can we prevent or fight against doubt in our spiritual lives?
The Doubting Christian… Unstable in faith (6).
Ephesians 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.
The Doubting Christian … Should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Question: Why does James say this? Double Minded - literally ‘two-souled’. In James 4:8 the double-minded are encouraged to ‘purify your hearts’. Swindoll: It indicates an impurity of the inner person. We shouldn’t think that this refers to dedicated Christians who sometimes have questions they can’t answer or who have periods of uncertainty.
3. Let Humility Prevail (James 1:9-11)
James 1:9-11 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 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.
Believers are truly rich - even those who have nothing by worldly standards. Poverty and the way that the poor relate to rich believers may be one of the issues that is causing some doubts / temptations among the Christians. If James is writing to those scattered by persecution - they may be tempted to look at all they’ve lost and wonder if it’s worth it to follow the Lord. In addition, they see unChristian people who are wealthy and wonder why.
The Rich are only so when they trust in the Lord. James speaks to the rich in chapters 1, 2, and 5. Like everyone else - they will pass away like a wildflower. ‘The rich will fade away even while they go about their business.’ - Their wealth will not save them and they will experience the same end as the rest of humanity. This reminds us of similar statements in Scripture.
Psalm 103:15-16 NASB As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. 16 When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its place acknowledges it no longer.
Isaiah 40:6b-8 NASB All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades, When the breath of the Lord blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.
For this reason, we should all be humble. Once in chapter 3 and Twice in chapter 4 James addresses the need for humility.
James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
James 4:6 “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble”
James 4:10 “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
4. Refuse to be Lured Away (James 1:12-16)
James 1:12-13 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. 13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.
“Blessed” is the one who perseveres. This is just one of many examples in James where he deliberately alludes to the Sermon on the Mount. Persevering (having Steadfast faith) brings a reward - the crown of life. For those who have stood the test. For those who Love the Lord.
It is easy to be lured away. It’s not God doing the luring (13) God cannot be tempted by evil. God cannot tempt anyone. Temptation comes from within. (14) Platt describes the process of temptation:
Deception - We don’t believe God when he says something is best for us
or another thing is not. Instead, we question him.
Desire - Temptation appeals to our desires, and attracts us, but hides
the fact that it will kill us.
Disobedience. We act on our desire.
Death - the result of disobedience.
Mark 7:21-23 NASB For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, 22 deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. 23 All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.”
Romans 7:19 NLT I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.
Temptation often results in sin and death (15). Don’t be deceived (16). Three times in James, he talks about deception. Each time it has to do with deceiving ourselves.
James 1:16 - Don’t be deceived by the origin of temptation
James 1:22 - Don’t deceive yourselves by listening but not doing.
James 1:26 - Don’t deceive yourselves into thinking your words have
nothing to do with your religious commitment.
James is concerned that the experience of losing everything could cause some inner turmoil that results in being lured away from faith. Wiersbe: The next time you are tempted, meditate on the goodness of God in your life. If you think you need something, wait on the Lord to provide it.
A potential element of thinking can keep that from happening:
5. Be Thankful (James 1:17-18)
James 1:17-18 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
Thankful For His Wisdom. Every Good and Perfect gift is from above. McKnight: Most commentators observe that the singular “gift” the readers need is “wisdom”.
1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down
3:15 Such wisdom does not come down from above
3:17 But the wisdom from above
Wisdom may be seen as the antidote to persecution - it can protect from persecution, grant the readers wisdom through persecution or help them endure persecution.
Thankful for His Gifts. Speaking more generally, all good things come from God in heaven.
Thankful for His Faithfulness. He is the Father of the heavenly lights. The only time this reference is used to describe God. The lights could be the stars and planets. Some believe they are angels. One commentator said, “in antiquity, stars were widely thought to be alive”. McKnight: James then affirms that God is good/faithful and that every good thing comes down from the Father of the angelic lights. God is like the faithfulness of these fixed bodies in the heavenlies, his goodness can therefore be counted on, and the temptations the community faces are not from God.
“God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.”-1 John 1:5
Thankful for His Truth. He chose to give us birth. There was a birth earlier - desire gives birth to sin and sin to death. This is the opposite - the Father gives us birth through truth. Wiersbe says of this birth that …
It is Divine - it is God who brings it about.
It is Gracious - it is undeserved, unearned, it is the work of God.
It is through God’s Word - “The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to bring
about the miracle of the new birth.”
It is the finest birth possible - a firstfruits.
The word of truth in James
James 3:14 - Do not deny the truth
James 5:19 - Do not wander from the truth
We are the firstfruits of all he created.
2 Thessalonians 2:13b God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.
Proverbs 3:9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops…
Conclusion Five Qualities of Steadfast Faith:
1. Find Joy in the result of Trials
2. Lean toward belief when doubts come
3. Let Humility Prevail
4. Refuse to be lured away
5. Be thankful
Resources
Lucado, Max. Life Lessons from James. Thomas Nelson, 2018.
McKnight, Scot. New International Commentary Series, The Letter of James. Eerdmans, 2011.
Platt, David. Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in James. B & H, 2014.
Swindoll, Charles R. Living Insights on James, 1 & 2 Peter. Tyndale, 2014.
Wiersbe, Warren W. Be Mature: Growing Up In Christ. NT Commentary: James. Cook, 1978.