James 1
September Memory Verse: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3 (ESV)
Read: James 1
James is an incredible source of wisdom. The book of James teaches us a lot about living out our faith in response to salvation. One writer states, “This book crams 61 imperatives into 108 verses. That means nearly 2.6% of the words in James are imperative verbs. And it’s no surprise: James is a very practical epistle that charges believers with not only hearing the Word, but also acting upon it (Jas 1:22).”
James 1 covers a lot of ground, but it’s summed up in verse 27 as “Religion that is pure and undefiled.” In this description are two commands: 1. “Visit orphans and widows in their affliction” (i.e. help the helpless), and “keep oneself unstained by the world.” I should note orphans and widows in the first century were among the most vulnerable groups in society. They were the most likely to be taken advantage of by wicked people. The heart of the command, rooted in the Old Testament, is that God cares deeply for the most vulnerable among us—those most likely to be exploited. It is a tangible expression of loving your neighbor as yourself.
So, what is pure and undefiled religion in trials? How do we keep ourselves unstained by the world in our affliction? James says in verses 2–4 that trials produce steadfastness and the “full effect” of steadfastness is that we might be “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Because of this, we can count our trials as joy—not that we ignore the hurt, but that God produces a greater perspective in us that sees past our hurt to something much greater. God does not spare us from hurt, but He does not waste it either.
The perspective of joy requires wisdom, which God gives generously to all without reproach. We can ask for it when we lack it. However, James is clear, ask in faith without doubting. In the context of trials, wisdom is required. Steadfastness requires physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being, we need wisdom to endure and stay well under trial. As Nick said Sunday, suffering may cause us to lose perspective on the consequences of our actions. However, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
In addition, pure and undefiled religion watches its tongue. James hits this more in chapter 3, but in chapter 1 he offers wisdom we must heed—be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Especially in hurt, heartache, and trials we speak careless words. However, the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Anger is not just one’s personality. Although the Bible does say elsewhere, “Be angry and do not sin,” anger usually indicates a sinful heart attitude. Anger should be a warning bell in our hearts that something is very wrong.
Finally, pure and undefiled religion follows God’s Word. Be an effectual doer not a forgetful hearer gazing at the law of liberty. Steadfastness, joy, wisdom, and living unstained by the world can only happen if we are in the Word and the Word is in us.
What is God saying to you today through this incredible chapter?
By: Tyler Short
Read: James 1
James is an incredible source of wisdom. The book of James teaches us a lot about living out our faith in response to salvation. One writer states, “This book crams 61 imperatives into 108 verses. That means nearly 2.6% of the words in James are imperative verbs. And it’s no surprise: James is a very practical epistle that charges believers with not only hearing the Word, but also acting upon it (Jas 1:22).”
James 1 covers a lot of ground, but it’s summed up in verse 27 as “Religion that is pure and undefiled.” In this description are two commands: 1. “Visit orphans and widows in their affliction” (i.e. help the helpless), and “keep oneself unstained by the world.” I should note orphans and widows in the first century were among the most vulnerable groups in society. They were the most likely to be taken advantage of by wicked people. The heart of the command, rooted in the Old Testament, is that God cares deeply for the most vulnerable among us—those most likely to be exploited. It is a tangible expression of loving your neighbor as yourself.
So, what is pure and undefiled religion in trials? How do we keep ourselves unstained by the world in our affliction? James says in verses 2–4 that trials produce steadfastness and the “full effect” of steadfastness is that we might be “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Because of this, we can count our trials as joy—not that we ignore the hurt, but that God produces a greater perspective in us that sees past our hurt to something much greater. God does not spare us from hurt, but He does not waste it either.
The perspective of joy requires wisdom, which God gives generously to all without reproach. We can ask for it when we lack it. However, James is clear, ask in faith without doubting. In the context of trials, wisdom is required. Steadfastness requires physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being, we need wisdom to endure and stay well under trial. As Nick said Sunday, suffering may cause us to lose perspective on the consequences of our actions. However, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
In addition, pure and undefiled religion watches its tongue. James hits this more in chapter 3, but in chapter 1 he offers wisdom we must heed—be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Especially in hurt, heartache, and trials we speak careless words. However, the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Anger is not just one’s personality. Although the Bible does say elsewhere, “Be angry and do not sin,” anger usually indicates a sinful heart attitude. Anger should be a warning bell in our hearts that something is very wrong.
Finally, pure and undefiled religion follows God’s Word. Be an effectual doer not a forgetful hearer gazing at the law of liberty. Steadfastness, joy, wisdom, and living unstained by the world can only happen if we are in the Word and the Word is in us.
What is God saying to you today through this incredible chapter?
By: Tyler Short
9 Comments
Thank you for a great Jumpstart, Tyler, you have once again knocked it outta the park!
5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
I went through leadership training at CPC with three men in 2014. Over the course of a year we studied & memorized many scriptures together. James 1 was a chapter that stood out to me. As Tyler discusses in today's commentary, there is so much packed in these 27 verses. Verse 5 reminds me that man's wisdom is limited and infinitely inferior to God's wisdom. Leaders must humbly submit to His leadership and seek God's wisdom. The Lord has called home two of His servant leaders at our church. Please join our Leadership Team as we pray and seek God's wisdom for Center Point Church. As Nick preached last Sunday, the mission continues and God will provide for His church in His time. Glad to be on mission with you until the Lord returns or calls us home.
Thanks Tyler!
Verses 2-4 are so encouraging when going through something hard.
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."
God's Word truly shapes our perspective. What the world considers bad, can, and will, be used by God to grow us. It may feel like suffering at the time, but looking back we will see growth.
So thankful for encouraging passages of wisdom like this!
I remember this book as being Tim's favorite when asked. His family was challenged to memorize most if not all of this book! What stood out to me today. Ask God for wisdom.... I do this but not clearly enough, he has helped me with nearly all the big questions in my life, why not the small? I am overlooking my anger and not reflecting on it nearly enough. I am not repenting rather excusing. Definitely a heart issue for me that I must address!
Memorizing James 1 was one of the best things I ever did for my walk. When the kids were little, I stood on verse 5 almost every day since I had no clue what I was doing!
Love this book. So practical, plus James talks like his brother Jesus. Still working on meeting trials with joy, personally. James 1:2 is the source of my professional/career motto: "Consider IT an opportunity for great joy."
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I consistently Need to preach this chapter over and over again to myself. So much truth!!
Love the book of James and this really help me start with a deep perspective! Thanks Tyler!!!!