24 Feb Recap | James | {Un}Divided Devotion

This past weekend launched our new series studying through the book of James. In week one, Matt Williams taught through the first eight verses.  James proves to be an examination of the meeting of works and faith as they weave into our every day actions. Through the course of the book, and particularly in this first section, we find that God often has different goals for us than we have for ourselves. He is usually working on a deeper level.

By the time the book is written James is famous. Besides being the half brother of Jesus, James is a powerful leader in his own right. In verse one he introduces himself not as either of these but as a slave of God and Jesus. It is clear that James is a man who is both defined and directed by Scripture. James has come to terms with being a servant who has lost his autonomy.

James is looking to bring context and unity to the divisions beginning to arise between Jew and Gentile Christians. He is asking those who would call heaven their home to live differently than other cultures. This raises the question about how much we should be absorbed into our culture.

Verse two begins the crux of what James is trying to get across. He says that trials are an opportunity for joy. It is implied that hardships aren’t optional but something that everyone has to face. They bring a unique chance to respond in humility. But how and why is this possible? Verse three tells us that when faith is tested endurance has a chance to grow. This is one of the hallmarks of the Christian faith. True faith is one that endures. This raises some big questions which is probably why James is writing the book in the first place.  We can take comfort in the fact that God promises to use the hard times for our good.

We must choose to respond to trials in a way that embraces the growth that they bring, realizing God is present and at work. We often choose one of several other responses to trials. We can respond in a state of surprise, wondering how could something bad happen. We can face the trial with a spirit of resolve, thinking that nothing can’t be handled and beaten. We can approach the situation in sadness, saddled with a lack of purpose, power, and joy. Finally, we often approach trials simply in anger, feeling betrayed and underserving of such circumstances. The best response, however, is trust. This looks like turning into God instead of getting lost in the situation and becoming bitter.

Verse 5 encourages us that God will offer wisdom to us for these hard times. Wisdom, however, does not mean we will automatically have all the answers to every situation. It means that we can know how to live in light of trials, having some perspective.

James ends this section in verses 6-8 by anchoring our hope in a relationship with God. James is calling us to have an undivided loyalty. We can’t expect to receive anything from God when we are cheating on him. The fact is that he already showed his devotion to us. His loyalty is so singular to our cause that he divided and sacrificed part of himself to pursue and pay for our freedom, and we weren’t even in existence when that happened. His love, compassion, and loyalty is clearly undivided.

In closing, there are a couple key questions we can begin this series by addressing and asking ourselves:

1. What is our natural response to trials?
2. Where has there been growth from trials?

-Nate Emery