James 1 reminds me of taking toys apart when I was a young child. I must have been curious to learn about the mechanisms inside, that made things work. Often, I could not reassemble them again, so I just left the parts scattered on the floor. Today’s lesson is about being a complete, functioning part of the world. There is no firm consensus about which James wrote this book; many believe it was the brother of Jesus, the son of Joseph and Mary. He calls himself “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” James writes to his Jewish brethren: “the twelve tribes scattered among the nations.” He insists that faith and works function as one. He will teach a beautiful balance between freedom from the Law of Moses, and the loving restraint of humility. He first describes the value of difficult times: “the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” He explains, this kind of endurance helps make us “mature and complete”. He adds, if you lack wisdom “you should ask God… who gives generously to all without finding fault”. A 1st century Jew had access to the Septuagint (A Greek translation of the Old Testament); they also had the Gospels and other letters from the apostles that would become the New Testament. He is saying ask, read, seek in faith, and expect new understanding. He adds, those without faith are like a “wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James says that those who completely dismiss God are “double-minded and unstable in all they do.” They are intentionally missing key pieces.
He next discusses a believer’s eternal perspective on this brief earthly life. To those in “humble circumstances”, he says to rejoice “in their high position” as children of God. Whereas “the rich” should remember “while they go about their business” that they too “will pass away like a wild flower”. The pursuit of wealth without purpose is empty. Both rich and poor will live better lives with that understanding. He reiterates: “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial” because they will “receive the crown… the Lord has promised.” James connects another concept: all of us can be tempted. He adds, God does not tempt anyone. We are enticed by our own desires. It begins with an attitude of anger, or bitterness, or jealousy, or feeling unappreciated. It is a slippery slope: “after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” Spiritual death leads to outer decay.
He closes with a contrast between faith and religion. “Don’t be deceived… Every good and perfect gift is… from the Father… who does not change.” Believers are given “birth through the word of truth.” The written Word of God offers incredible insight into the complexity of human interaction. James calls us the “firstfruits of all He created.” The earliest of the harvest are most valuable. The gospel was first given to the Hebrews. A greater harvest will follow. Next, he tells us: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” This means we should pause to listen to one another. Amazingly, we will find that all of us have hurts, and all of us have needs. Some listen to find fault or deflect blame. People are easily outraged today. James says: “Human anger does not produce… righteousness.” He sums up his point this way: “Do not merely listen to the Word… Do what it says.” Note that both listening and doing are required in order to be a blessing. James adds that humility is a prerequisite to hearing the word of salvation. He describes the “perfect law that gives freedom”; which starts by looking in the mirror. In contrast, James says anyone that cannot “keep a tight rein on their tongues… their religion is worthless.” He concludes, looking “after orphans and widows in their distress” is God’s religion. Friend, are you taking apart things you do not understand? Perhaps it is time to listen and endure for a time?