Viewing the World through God's Word

Category: James (Page 2 of 2)

God the Tempter?

O PreacherIn the 1970s comedian Flip Wilson provoked laughs:  “The devil made me do it.”  In the mid-40s A.D. Jewish Christians provoked  correction from James with:  “God made me do it!”

James. leader of the Jerusalem church, is writing to Jewish Christians dispersed by persecution among the nations.  He reminds them of God’s character and their own sinful nature, calling them to morally upright living in a hostile world.  He begins with a promised blessing . . .

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him (1:12).   James knows his readers are “under trial” (payrasmos), potentially persecuted for their faith.  But persecutors haven’t gained the upper hand; the devil hasn’t grabbed dominion.  This is a God-test.   And James promises the test-stander “will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

In the Greek games, at the start-line athletes poise.  The signal sounds.  For the finish they sprint all-out.   A head-wreath for the winner—the conqueror’s crown  So, promises James, endure the trial, stand the test.  At the end you’ll be crowned with eternal life.  What more motivation do Christ-believers need?

“Love” is an interesting term here, don’t you think?  James didn’t write, ” . . . promised to those who believe in him” or ” . . . to those who obey him” but ” . . . to those who love him.”  The Greek is agapooin.  Not merely love as a feeling, but love as a matter of will and action.  Not a husband bringing flowers home, but remaining faithful when tempted by a younger woman.  Not a wife kissing her husband, but caring for him in his poor health.

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

I’m most prey to temptation when tired or stressed.  Not surprising, then, that these dispersed and persecuted Jewish Christians would be tempted.  But why blame God?  Because God is sovereign in this trial/test, and they’re being tempted to sin.  God must be the ultimate tempter.  Or, like the ancient Israelites in the desert, blame God, Moses, Aaron, anybody but themselves.

Don’t say it, James demands.  Why?  Because, as James Adamson writes in The Epistle of James, “Tempting others to evil, would require a delight in evil, of which [God] in himself is incapable.”  God’s “tempting” is actually a test in which, unlike the devil,  he wants the believer to succeed!  God entices no one to sin.

What, then, are temptation’s sources?  ” . . . each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.”

Brock Turner, a Stanford University student, was recently found guilty of sexual assault (and received an unbelievably unjust six-month jail sentence).  Turner  blamed the female victim, blamed alcohol and blamed an unfamiliar-to-him permissive college environment.  Not only did he not repent; he refused to accept any responsibility.

James rejects such arrogance.  It’s our morally evil desire that hooks and drags us off.  Young man sees a drunken, desirable young woman.  He’s hooked.  His desire explodes with lust and births the act of sin.  Make no mistake:  when this becomes life’s pattern, it ends in death apart from God.

Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers.  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 (1:16-18).

Echoing the prophet’s words (“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?—Jeremiah 17:9), James warns Jewish Christians not to be deceived.  Not by their own sinful heart, nor by scheming Satan.  God gives good and perfect gifts, not evil ones to hook you on your lusts.

He is ” . . . the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  So Adamson comments:  “God’s benevolence is like a light which cannot be extinguished, eclipsed, or ‘shadowed out’ . . . The light of the sun may be blocked, for example, by some material object, so as to cast a shadow:  indeed, for a time in an eclipse, the direct light of the sun . . . may be shut off from the observer.  Nothing like that can block God’s light, interrupt the flow of his goodness, or put us ‘in shadow,’ so that we are out of the reach of his ‘radiance” (The Epistles of James). 

Look what goodness and perfection he has poured out!  He willed to give us [new] birth through the word of truth (the Gospel of Jesus Christ).”  A new start!  A do-over, this time with Spirit-power!  And what does James explain is God’s purpose in rebirth?
” . . . that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.”  Despite dispersion and distress, these Jewish Christians are the first of a multitude like the sea’s sand who will be rebirthed and brought to complete perfection one day (James 1:2-4).  Therefore . . .

My dear brothers, take note of this:  Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,  for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life 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 (1:19-21).

Because they are God’s “firstfruits” living among unbelieving opponents, they must live morally upright lives—especially with their tongue.  Be quick listeners.  Be slow speakers.  Be slow temper-tantrum-ers.  (How hard in a world where we’re bombarded  with voices and long for someone to hear us!)  But believers (them and us) mustn’t react to hardships and frustrations with angry words,  because anger corrupts the righteous life God wants.

Moral manure and unbridled evil—get rid of it!  Like stinking clothes, strip it off!   Instead, welcome God’s Word implanted by memory and the Spirit in you.  It’s there, a grace-truth “invasion” of your fallen nature.  Embrace it.  Believe it!  Do it!  And on the Last Day, unlike sin which corrupts you forever, it can save you!

NOT GOD’S HAND!

<b>Temptation</b> Is Not Sin | Transformed

WHAT WILL I DO?

 

Happy When It Hurts

O PreacherKidding, right?  Happy when it hurts?  That’s pretty much what James urged . . .

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2). 

Sounds like “be happy when it hurts” to me!  But I’m getting ahead of myself.  Let’s start at the start . . .

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes (in the Dispersion) scattered among the nations: Greetings (1:1).  James was Jesus’ brother.   After Jesus’ resurrection, James  became leader of the 1st century A.D. Jewish Christian church in Jerusalem.

He’s writing  to “the twelve tribes scattered among the nations” (1:1).   The NIV translates (and interprets) diaspora  “scattered among.”  The term diaspora hearkens back to the Babylonian exile (587 B.C.).  When it ended (583 B.C.), many Jews remained in Babylon.  Five hundred years later, Jews had scattered as well to Persia, Cyprus, the Aegean islands, the west coast of Asia Minor, Egypt, and Rome.  To them, James is writing with apostolic authority, prophetic power and pastoral care.

“Scattered among” reminds me of us.  Jesus’ followers today are a holy nation, without country or capital, dispersed like   ” , , , strangers and aliens in the world” (1 Peter 2:11).  So we can identify with James’ readers.  Similarly, like them in this world, we , “face trials of many kinds” . . .

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance 1:2,3).

Payrasmois (my phonetic Greek!) is translated “trials, tests, temptations.”  Of these. James’ readers face “many kinds.”  Thus, James B. Admanson in his The Epistle of James says payrasmois includes all kinds of adversity and affliction, as diverse as disease, sexual lust, greed, temper, pride of wealth or strength or beauty.  It is characteristic of James,” he writes, “that here he powerfully uses payrasmois for both the pleasant allurements of Satan and the painful afflictions of the body . . . ”

Now:  why does James urge us to respond to payrasmois with “pure joy”?  (Got to admit.  If trials are tests which I should count an occasion for joy, my score is abysmal.)  Joy, because James is telling us implicitly God is at work for good in them.  We’re not having “a bad day.”  It’s not just “a bummer” or “bad luck.” Trials are “the testing of [our] faith.”

I aced most college tests.  High school, not so much.  At test times in both places, though, my stomach knotted and palms sweated.  The test would examine me.  I’d be evaluated by how I answered.  James is saying, “No stomach knots.  No sweaty palms.  Count this test all joy.”  Before we dig more deeply into “joy”, let’s see specifically why James calls for joy.

 ” . . . because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (1:3,4). 

” . . . the testing of your faith develops (produces, brings about) perseverance.”  “Develops” implies ongoing process, not quick pill.  It’s the difference between popping a steroid and working out.  BibleWorks computer program offers a profound definition for “perseverance”—“the characteristic of a man or woman who is not swerved from his/her deliberate purpose and loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and suffering.”

Years ago I used to jog/  (Never considering it pure joy!  Had to get in/stay in shape!)  My toughest challenge hit just short of half-way.  I was starting to ache.  Getting winded.  Thinking, “I’ve got another whole half to go!”  I needed to endure, to not swerve from my purpose of finishing the course even though I hurt.

God obviously values upomonay.  Perseverance–patient endurance–is a virtue he considers necessary for us sinners-saved-by-grace to be “mature (teleeoi–perfect, full-grown) and complete (olokayros–whole, complete in all parts), lacking nothing. ”  Maturity or completeness—that’s God’s goal for us.  Perseverance through faith-testing trials is the way.  And the only path to developing perseverance is persevering.

Frankly, when I’m hurting my default reaction is to not hurt.  I’m not much interested in enduring on to maturity.  I just want to feel better.  Give me a miracle-healing, God!  But God’s got an alternate agenda.  He wants to make us more like Christ.  Isn’t that what Paul wrote?

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose.  For those God foreknew
he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son,
that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
(Romans 8:28,29).

Our (at least my) reaction to faith-testing trials is “Get me outta here!” and not “Give me grace to endure so I can be mature!”  Therefore, James admonishes and promises . . .

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God,
who gives generously to all without finding fault,
and it will be given to him.
(James 1:5)

Wisdom is ours for the asking!  Now, briefly back to “joy” . . .

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2).

James is not urging us to shout “Hooray!” when we hurt.  My title, “Happy When It Hurts”, misses the mark.  James is counseling us to wisely see the great good God is doing in faith-testing trials as we live dispersed in this world.  And to consider that gracious work of God an occasion for pure joy.

* * * * *

Father in heaven, you know well how I react to trials and tests. especially when they drag on with no apparent hope of rescue.  I know James’ admonitions and promises here.  But I need more than knowledge.  I need wisdom.  Please generously and ungrudgingly give me wisdom from above by the Holy Spirit.  Enable me to see beyond the hurt to the maturity and completeness you’re developing in me.  So shall I be satisfied with your transforming work.  May I persevere with joy, assured that you are saving me to be a creature more complete than I can now imagine.  All glory is yours.  In the name of your Son who endured for me, Amen.

 

 

 

 

Explain James

O PreacherMartin Luther, seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation (16th century Europe) admitted, ” . . . there is many a good saying in [the Book of James], but it contradicts St. Paul and all other Scripture in giving righteousness to works.”

Contradictions?

Luther’s judgement raises serious question, some beyond scope of this blog.  Here’s one we can ask:   Did God the Holy Spirit inspire two men (Paul and James) to write contradictory documents?  It almost seems so.  Fairness demands we dig out answers,  especially since we’ve just come from Galatians where Paul categorically claimed, ” . . . we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ” (Galatians 2:16).  While James wrote, “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24).

We’ll confront this “contradiction”, as we turn next to the New Testament Book of James.  Why James?   A word of explanation as suggested by my wife.  (She’s the one to the left in the first photo above.  It doesn’t do her justice.)

Reason.

I love my wife with all my heart.  She is God’s most precious gift to me after Jesus.  She is God-loving, full of faith, a warrior in prayer, one of the hardest workers I know, wise, and beautiful inside and out.  She was the rock in our early-marriage years when I was too immature to be married.  She’s my caregiver now in our late-married years when my health is poor.  She recently suggested, “You really better explain where you’re going with your blog.”  I (being no fool myself) decided to listen.

Last April 1st I started the “Acts Eight” series, discussing the eight sermons and talks found in that book.  I quickly realized I needed to review the narratives leading up to each for the “sermons” to  make sense.  Hence, the “Acts Eight” became a walk through the entire book.

Well, not quite.  When Paul was about to begin his second missionary journey, I remembered that  it was about then he composed his letter to the Galatians.  So, I decided we should study that then.  Now my plan is to walk through the New Testament chronologically.  Which means we step now from Galatians to James, since both were written about the same time though, of course,  by different authors and to different readers

To mix things even more, I’ve occasionally blogged topics that struck my interest or seemed timely.  I’ll continue that as we wind our way through the New Testament.   All things considered, I may not live long enough to reach Revelation.  Which is okay for two reasons.  One, it’s a very confusing book.  And, two, by that time I’ll be with Jesus and it won’t matter.

 James.

Scholars are split.  Was James Jesus’ brother?

“Isn’t this the carpenter?
Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon?
Aren’t his sisters here with us?”
(Mark 6:3)

Or half-brother?  Mary’s husband, Joseph, quickly disappears from the Gospel narrative.  It’s assumed, therefore, that he died.  If Mary remarried (supposition), and James was a product of their union, he would have been Jesus’ half-brother.

The scholar-split is actually three ways.  Some believe James was Jesus’ cousin.  Roman Catholic scholars are among those who especially hold this view, believing Mary was always a virgin.  I see no support for this view.

Why the family-tree discussion?  James didn’t believe in Jesus.

Nearing Jesus’ crucifixion, Jesus’ brothers challenged him to go to Judea “that your disciples also may see the works you are doing . . . If you do these things, show yourself to the world” (John 7:4b).   John then explains their motivation . . .

For not even his brothers believed in him (John 7:5).

How was that possible?  Brotherly rivalry?  Jealousy?  Or just incredulity?  “My brother?  Messiah?  Ya gotta be kidding.  Do you see how he leaves his room?”

But when we meet James in his writing, he is . . .

“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”
(James 1:1)

Why the conversion?

“Christ . . . was raised on the third day . . . and . . .
he appeared . . .  to James . . . “
(1 Corinthians 15:4-7).

Fun to have been there, no?  “Oh, Jesus, I really knew it all the time.  It was the rest of the family that didn’t believe.  I always knew you were special.”  I imagine Jesus flashed a small smile, said nothing, and just bore loving eyes into his brother’s embarrassed face.

Paper 192 – APPEARANCES IN GALILEE - OPAD - One Page A Day - Urantia ...

From years of unbelief, by impact of Jesus’ resurrection, James went on to become the most influential leader of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 15:13).

Us.

What about us?  Maybe our beginnings—even to today—have been without God.  Or with him,  but just ordinary.  But God-less or ordinary life given into the hands of the risen Lord can be made holy and extraordinary for his saving purposes!  Just remember James.

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