Trusting God

James 1:1-7

James was one of the primary leaders of the church at Jerusalem. Many believe him to be somewhat legalistic and that he and the church at Jerusalem were somewhat in opposition to What Paul was teaching. It was actually James himself who declared that gentile Christians should not be held to a legalistic standard, although they should maintain a standard that would not drive Jews away from the gospel, as recorded in Acts 15:19-21. “Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.” Clearly, James did not think Being a Christian depended on keeping the law. He was in agreement with Paul’s statement about the Christian life in Romans 14:7. “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”


Paul is very specific that those who took the legalistic approach James is accused of were in fact pretending to be Christians in an attempt to take over the church and led to James’ statement. Galatians 2:4 states, “And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage.” He goes on to describe the unity of purpose and agreement between the leaders of the church, including Peter, James, and John, and himself. “And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do,” (Galatians 2:9-10). The conflict was with false Christians , not true believers, and definitely between James and Paul. In fact, James is quite outspoken in denouncing some of the same issues Paul denounced in Galatians.

James is written to Christian Jews, or so called ‘Messianic Jews,’ to
Give specific instructions as to how they should live as Christians. It is a very practical approach dealing with both the spiritual attitude, and the physical practices. The book of James is more truly the Epistle to the Hebrews than is the one We call the book of Hebrews. James states that it is to the Jews, whereas Hebrews makes no such statement, nor is it implied anywhere in the book.

“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.” (James 1:1)

Because God makes no distinction between Jew and Gentile in Christ, the book applies equally to all Christians although it deals with issues which particularly affected Christians of Jewish background. They were especially likely to focus on ritual or traditional behavior, the religious appearance, rather than actual spiritual attitudes and actions.

James dives straight into these practical matters where tradition and spiritual development collide, starting with the Jewish way of dealing with suffering. Like many others, the Jews assumed that suffering and trials were always a result of wrongdoing by the sufferer. The disciples question in John 9:2 illustrates this belief. “And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?” As a result, they were inclined to make a production of sorrow, demonstrating a sad face, smearing ashes on their faces and rending their clothes to induce God to take away the trials. It is somewhat like a little child crying or moping about to try to convince his parents to let him have his way, and it is not limited to those of Jewish background.

Jesus’ response to the disciples in John 9:3 reveals a completely different point of view. “Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” God rarely uses earthly trials and suffering solely to punish. It is always administered to bring people to a place of fellowship with him. Romans 8:28 declares, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Instead of putting on a big show of repentance, James says Christians should accept their temptations and trials as an opportunity for God to accomplish his will in their lives, and make their faith to grow. It will only happen as they allow the Holy Spirit to change their attitude.

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:2-4)

Because of the Pharisee’s very restrictive interpretation of the Law, Jews frequently found themselves faced with moral dilemmas. Jesus dealt with these repeatedly, especially when it came to healing on the Sabbath, or eating with out washing the hands in the prescribed manner. Sometimes the Law conflicts with Gods purpose. Romans 7:6 declares that Christians are to fulfill the intent of the law, not just the wording. “But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.” God will not be upset if he is asked what to do in such cases, nor will he hold back an answer.

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.“ (James 1:5-7)

In his asking, the Christian is to trust God to give the right answer. If he expects God to answer his prayer, he must be willing to commit himself to obey. Speaking of acting on our beliefs regarding things where there is a question, Romans 14: 5 commands, “…Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” Romans 14: 23 warns, “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”

A person who is not willing to commit himself changes his position every time something changes. He mustn’t expect God to just meet every whim he might have. Until he commits, God will not commit to give what he is asking for. It is kind of like a little boy asking for several things without really deciding what he wants. Why should the parents try to buy it all since most will never be used. Why should God? God will not answer any of his requests until he decides what he wants. According to Luke 14, that includes even his salvation. He can’t just try Jesus. He has to commit to him. As James says,

“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:8)

Jesus was very clear in his statements about the need to commit to a single course of action, a single focus. Matthew 6:22-24 warns us, “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

A choice must be made or the person will be unable to accomplish anything. He has to Choose whether to obey and believe God or to get the things of the world. As I John 2:15 warns, it is not possible to love both. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

It is equally impossible to be a Christian while still depending on the Jewish laws and traditions. Any attempt to do so results in an unstable and unsatisfactory life. Paul states the conflict in Galatians 3:11-12. “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.” Since the just are to live by faith and the law isn’t of faith, one cannot do both. Living by the law excludes us from faith, as Galatians 5:4 declares. “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” We have to choose which we desire. It is equally true of any other religion.