The Most Important Thing

In keeping with the same theme of trials, and enduring those trials, James uses some figurative language to highlight that which is truly important in life.

Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: (Jam. 1:9)

Why? This seems like a bit of a strange thing to say given the type of person James is speaking of here. During this period of time most Jews had fallen into economic hardship. Poverty to western culture may not seem terrible given all that governments do to help out, but the Roman empire had no such social programs. Life was more akin to the poverty that is found in parts of Asia and Africa. So why does James tell these Christians to rejoice despite their suffering? Because they are already rich.

They are rich because they have the precious life of Christ within them. You see there is not a single person living who, when presented with eternity in hell, would not give up all their earthly possessions for one more day of life. As Christians we are wealthy beyond measure because despite our economic position here on Earth we will one day be part of the Glory that awaits us in Heaven. No matter how poor our health is during life, we will be given perfect bodies with which to worship our creator for eternity.

Sometimes it is easy to let social and economic hardship lead us into thoughts of depression and despair. However, we ought to rejoice because God has taken away those comforts that can be deceiving (Mat. 13:22), causing us to blend in with the world rather than stand out. The suffering that brings us closer to dependence on God is our wealth (1 Pet. 1:7). Sometimes we do not know that God is all we need, until He is all we have.

God's Grace > Your Sin

In James we have a wonderful promise of wisdom from God if we simply ask for it.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (Jam. 1:5)

The Bible is full of God's promises. There are promises of wrath against unbelieving disobedience (Deut. 11:16-17), and there are promises of great blessing for those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:28). The amazing thing about the latter group of promises is that they are not based on personal merit or works (Eph. 2:8-9). Unfortunately it is easy to forget this. James goes on to define what a true request is in the verses following.

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. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (Jam. 1:6-8)

I used to think that these verses referred to someone who was so self absorbed that they only wanted wisdom from God in order to help them get ahead in life. It is true that these verses encompass that type of person; one who is vain and cares more about what God can give them, then what they can do to glorify God. However, there is another type of person here who is equally as self absorbed. I refer to the person who asks without believing that God can fulfil His promise because of their sin. I refer to what I have only just now realized that I have become.

It can be a great temptation of ours to focus on our own sin and wretchedness, and assume that God's grace is not sufficient to cover our transgressions. It is true that our sin is great, but it is also irrelevant. It is true that we are undeserving of God's grace and mercy, but equally as irrelevant. This is a sin of self-righteousness under the guise of humility.

My sin cannot, and will not ever outweigh the infinite Grace that was poured out on Calvary the day that Jesus was crucified. If I have truly been born again, then the price for the promises of God have already been paid for and I have but to ask faithfully to recieve them (John 16:24). Even times of chastisement from God for disobedience are a promise of blessing to Christians (Heb. 12:3-17).

Father God, grant us the wisdom to see you as we should see you. Do not allow us to regard our own hand mightier than yours, or our sin greater than your Grace. Create in us a single mind in our walk with you, focusing on the greatest promise of all that was secured for us by your son Jesus Christ.

Compromise And Cowardice, A Confession...

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. (James 1:14)

I am a coward! I say this because I know it in my heart to be true. I have faltered in my walk with Christ. For some time now my outward appearance, and my actions have been "moral", but my spiritual life has been pathetic. I have compromised the sacredness of the glorious gift of my salvation by giving my time and attention over to worldly pursuits. The time I have spent in the Word is shameful, and I spend most of my prayer life apologizing to God for my lack of spiritual leadership in the home.

I started with that particular verse because it reminds me of my cowardice to admit my sins. I know I have faced some difficult times emotionally, but at the end of the day I have only myself to blame for my lackadaisical attitude towards Christ. I have spent months disgusted with myself because of this behavior, and I have cried out to God for help. However, I have been lazy, obstinate, and disobedient in my response to His Holy Spirit.

I have been so lazy that I didn't post last week, or this week. I am a coward because rather than expose myself to my trusted friends, I simply chose to avoid the situation. I started this Blog because I wanted it to be about accountability and integrity, but I am a hypocrite. I write now to confess my sins before the group that I might ask their forgiveness in the matter, and that I might receive their prayers.

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16)

Pray that I would put away worldly, meaningless distractions. Pray that I would be unashamed in my Biblical studies (2 Tim 2:15). Pray that I would become the spiritual leader of my family that I am called to by God (Eph 5). Pray that I would allow the Spirit of Christ to consume me in all aspects of my life.

Suffering Embraced...

This has been a strange week. Last Saturday, Patty and I discovered that we were going to receive a car from her grandparents for free. I literally wept once we found out. We have been in prayer about our car situation for some time, and God literally dropped one in our lap. I wept because we are so very undeserving of such a gesture, but God is gracious enough to overlook what we deserve in so many aspects of our lives.

The following day at church, we discovered that the preacher's wife has a brain tumor. The pastor preached a difficult sermon about facing trials. I have some idea of what the family is going through as there is terminal illness in my family as well, but I can't begin to imagine how difficult it must be when it is your wife, or mother.

On Monday, I talked to a good friend of mine on the phone who I have not spoken with in almost two months. I am horrible about returning phone calls, and my good friends and family are made to suffer because of my irresponsibility with those relationships. My friends message was sobering as he explained to me the reason for the call. He had been trying to reach me for about a month and a half to ask if I would pray for his fiance. She found out she has skin cancer, and has been receiving treatments for the last month and a half. I had failed my friend, and his wife to be, as a Christian brother.

It doesn't seem fair that God would visit such a blessing on someone so undeserving as me, and such horrible illness on these two very sweet women. A secular philosophy professor once told me that suffering detracted from a meaningful life. He also acknowledged that Christianity was very unique in the way that it viewed suffering.

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations... (James 1:2)

You see, whereas most religions on earth are trying to avoid suffering at all costs, Christianity calls it's followers to embrace it.

WHY?

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (James 1:3,4)

Faith and religion tend to go hand in hand, and we sometimes use the word faith as a synonym for an individuals particular religion. In Christianity, faith is the instrument by which we are brought to the saving Grace that comes from Jesus Christ (Eph 2:8,9). But as Tyler mentioned in his previous post, while salvation from Hell may be a one time event, the act of salvation goes on in our lives in the form of sanctification. Sometimes this sanctification comes in the way of suffering.

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:7-9)

Faith continually draws us closer to Christ and away from the comforts of the world as Troy pointed out. In order for us to have that kind of reckless faith, God has to put us into situations where our comforts are stripped away. When we have only that which we cannot see to rely on (Hebrews 11:1), then we have true faith; the kind that moves mountains.

You may think it unfair that I received such a blessing from God, and those two women received such suffering, but God knows what He is doing with His children (Romans 8:28). When the suffering is through, their faith shall be multiplied, and they will have received the greater blessing.