THE TEST OF FAITH

JAMES 1

What is Christian living all about? You can’t find that answer in one verse or one chapter. Eccles. 12:13 would come close, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” As far as chapters or even books are concerned, one book comes very close to fulfilling the question. That book is the book of James. This book is one that overflows with inspired tips and illustrations about practical Christianity. One would have a difficult time finding a more practical book than the book of James. If you will read and study this book you will grow spiritually. It is a book that deals with the day-to-day aspects of Christian living. Such is certainly a theme that is needed in our world today. It is a theme that is needed in the Lord’s church today! Someone asked, would you know a real Christian if you saw one? The word “Christian” is thrown around so lightly today. James tells us about a Christian and how that person should live.

James 1 deals with the problem of temptation. Do we have trials and temptations to face today? It seems we face them everywhere we turn. James tells us what our attitude should be toward trials and the nature of temptation.

I) Proper reaction to trials (vss.2-12)

A) Value of trials

1) Notice it is not “if” but “when.” (v.2)

2) These are the trials or testing of our faith that comes upon us.

B) The one who has faith will React Positively (v.2)

1) Heb. 12:11

2) The idea is that of causing our faith to grown stronger.

3) Christians must expect to be jostled by trials, to be shaken out of our comfort zone.

(a) All kinds of experiences will come to us.

(b) Sorrow and disappointment which seek to destroy our faith.

(c) Sacrifices you have to make (friends, activities, etc.)

(d) Unpopularity

(e) They are meant to make us stronger, not weaker.

4) Count it all joy. How?

(a) By looking at the end result (v.12)

(b) Heb. 10:34; 12:2

5) Knowing that the trying of your faith… (v.3)

C) React patiently (vss.3,4)

1) These trails have a definite purpose in view.

2) The bringing about of patience. (endurance, perseverance)

3) Romans 5:3-5

4) Let patience have the opportunity to perform the work and bring about the result of which it is capable.

5) We can reach a level of maturity if we let patience have a complete work.

6) We can learn to trust God.

7) Areas in which we need patience.

(a) In order to obtain the promises of God, (Heb. 6:9-12)

(b) In order to resist the devil (I Pet 5:9-10)

(c) In waiting for the Lord’s coming (Jam. 5:7)

(d) To obtain the crown of life (Jam. 1:12).

D) React Prayerfully (vs. 5-8) [Wisdom]

1) Wisdom is practical application of knowledge to a person’s life. Common sense.

2) It is not just knowledge or a lot of facts in the head.

3) You can teach someone facts, but it is impossible to teach a person how to exercise wisdom in the use of that information. If you are a parent, you know this!!

4) Do you know anyone who does not need more wisdom?

(a) Job’s friends had such a high estimate of self that Job said… Job. 12:2

(b) For the rest of us, we need wisdom.

5) To pray for wisdom does not mean we are going to receive a direct revelation from God.

(a) God does indeed operate within the world and in the affairs of man.

(b) We call it providence, “the activity of God as accomplished through natural law.”

(c) Thus, God answers providentially whether I know all there is about providence or not.

(d) James would later talk about this wisdom from above (Jam. 3:17).

6) We are to ask in faith, nothing doubting.

(a) State of mind that is at odds with itself, or that hesitates.

(b) Divided in one’s mind, hesitate, doubt.

E) React with perseverance (v.12)

1) Reward for successfully enduring temptation.

2) Promised to those who continue to love him. Crown…

3) As long as we live in the flesh, we will be tempted.

II) Proper Regard to Temptation (vss.13-16).

A) Origin of temptation. God tries men, but he does not entice them to do evil

B) Order of temptation [Personal responsibility]

1) Desire—desire is not evil, but it becomes so when we are enticed.

2) Drawing away [entice—to catch fish by bait]

3) Deed

C) Outcome of temptation (v.15)—death

D) Obligation we have to it is, “do not err.” (v.16) [Do no blame God!]

III) Respect for God (vs. 17-18)

A) Respect God for gift.

1) God is the source of good. He is not against you, He is for you!

2) This admonition strikes at the very heart of our trust in God.

3) Don’t get wrapped up in the function of blaming God.

B) Goal of God’s gift.

1) Regeneration is one of the greatest gifts (v.18).

(a) He wants us to be Christians.

(b) The instrument is the word of truth.

IV) Proper Response to Word of God (vss.19-25)

A) Readiness to her (vss.19-20)

1) Be careful how you listen.

(a) Most people do not know how to listen.

(b) If you have already got your mind made up!

2) Be careful how you respond.

(a) Prov. 29:11, 20; 14:29

(b) Eccl. 5:2 “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.”

3) Removal of hindrance and reception he gives (vs.21)

(a) Superfluity of naughtiness—excess of wickedness

(b) Engrafted—implanted, rooted…

(c) That saves your soul! (Rom. 1:16; I Cor. 1:18).

B) Responsibility he feels (vss.22-25) a doer and not a hearer only…

1) Some have their body in the assembly while their mind is in the world.

2) Others talk the talk but do not walk the walk.

3) Hearing is not the same as obeying!!

4) Ezra 7:10, “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.”

5) Looking into a mirror.

(a) Means to observe fully, to contemplate, careful consideration

(b) Recognizes his faults. He knows what is wrong.

(c) What are we going to do about it?

(d) We are to hear and do what the word teaches us to do.

V) Properly represents true religion (vss.26, 27)

A) James 1:26,27

1) Verse 26…Useless…Christians on outside…

2) Verse 27… Pure…Christians on inside!

B) James gives us three indicators of what a religious person is.

1) Bridles the tongue.

(a) The implication is that many who think themselves to be religious really are not.

(b) James 3

2) One who visits (cares) for orphans and widows.

3) One who remains unspotted from the world.

(a) James 4:4

(b) II Pet. 3:14

(c) I John 2:15

4) Control he shows

5) Cares he exercises

6) Cleanness of life he demonstrates.

Con: What Christian living is all about! It is about maturing spiritually. It is about enduring temptation, it is about praying for wisdom, it is about the good things we receive from God. It is about being doers of His word. It is about being religious. Are you living the Christian life?