James 1:1-4

Passage

James, a slave of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the Diaspora.  Greetings.  Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you all should submit into various kinds of examination while knowing that testing of your faith produces the ability to endure.  Let the ability to endure have a complete result, in order that you all should be complete and whole and while being in lack of nothing.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

As the letter opens, James makes a specific point of calling himself a slave of God and Jesus Christ.  The word order in the original Greek demonstrates this point clearly.  What is important for James is that his identity rests securely in being a slave to the will of God.  This point about submission to the will of God is a significant one in understanding the letter of James. 

What does it mean to you to be a slave of God? 

Second Thought:

Remember that this is a significant change for James.  James was Jesus’ brother.  Look at Mark 3:21.  Jesus’ family thought Jesus was out of His mind and they came to get Him.  In Mark 3:31-32 we see another attempt by Jesus’ family come to Him.  In the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, James and his family thought Jesus was insane.  However, now James has completely submitted to Him as the Son of God.  James has moved from rebellion to leading the church because of his willingness to be humble and obedient.

Why are humbleness and obedience such an important part of the spiritual walk?  Why is it easy to miss what God is actually doing when we forget to be humble and obedient to Him?

Third Thought:

James begins this letter speaking about trials and examinations.  Life is full of them.  Some of them are intentional from other people.  Others are unintentional but nonetheless still a part of life.  We can’t avoid trials, tribulations, and examinations.  What we can do is to persevere through them.  Trials bring about the ability to endure through them.  Enduring through trials allows us to become complete.  We recognize our weaknesses in the midst of trials and examinations and learn to improve upon them.  We learn to rely upon God to work through us in the midst of our trials and temptations.  We are made complete when we persevere through our trials.

How do you handle the trials in your life?  What things have you overcome that you once thought would break you?  Who is ultimately responsible for guiding you through your trials and temptations?

Passage for Tomorrow: James 1:5-8