Wisdom and Joy - James 1:2-18
James’ focus is seeking, then practicing God’s wisdom in the midst of life’s challenges. This search is at the heart of Israel’s wisdom poetry, Jesus’ parabolic and sermonic teaching. Indeed, the other apostles express the same truth in their letters (1 Thess. 2:4; 1 Pet. 1:6-7; Rev. 2:10). James calls for a measured, theologically nuanced response to external trials and internal temptations. On the one hand, God is not the author of evil. On the other hand, God allows these tests of character, because he is powerful and good enough to use them for his purposes—the cultivation of righteousness, light and life.
Troubles - James 1:2
Troubles come in many different forms from various sources. They can be either temptations to sin, or an outward process of
testing. Christians can
consider troubles with
joy because God’s goodness and power can turn even the evil that others do against us, and the evil we do ourselves towards redemption. Because of God’s character and will, suffering does not have result in utter destruction or defeat. Rather, like metal refined in high heat, suffering can result in strengthened character that is more like Christ (Rom. 8:18; 1 Pet. 2:19-24).
Testing of your faith - James 1:3
These
troubles are the means of
testing of your faith. For Christians, however, troubles are not without a purpose. Though they may involve external affliction that causes suffering and loss, or internal temptation that must be resisted, they can be the means of strengthening faith and building
endurance.
Endurance - James 1:4
The endurance that results from successfully withstanding troubles makes the Christian
developed and complete. Like Paul (Rom 5:3-4) and Peter (2 Pet 1:5-8), James understands that maturity and moral virtue are developed by “working out our faith” through righteous practice. But, this work is responding to the Word and Wisdom of God and depends on God’s Spirit.
Wisdom - James 1:5
In Scripture,
wisdom combines a personal knowledge or fear of God with the practical skills of living. Christians are commanded to
ask for wisdom. In this context, James instructed his readers to ask for wisdom so they would be able to endure the hardships of the Christian life. By asking, Christians take the first step in attaining wisdom, which is to admit their need for help from God. Because God gives wisdom
without rebuke to all who ask, believers can know that their genuine requests for wisdom will be answered.
Ask for wisdom - James 1:6
Believers must ask for wisdom
in faith, doubting nothing. According to James, faith is an assured confidence in God. Those who know and trust God will ask in accord with the will of God. Believers can have confidence they will receive what they ask for because they are asking for what God wants to give them. The one who doubts, however, is
like a wave in the ocean, inconsistent and unsettled (Eph. 4:14).
Double-minded man - James 1:7-8
The person who doubts will not
receive anything from the Lord. James is speaking proverbially about a person who is characterized by doubt. That kind of person is
double-minded and unstable. Here James coins a new word. Before the rise of western views of the mind, which tend towards compartmentalizing people, the mind and heart were understood by ancient cultures as representative of the whole person. What James describes here is a divided person, a person set against himself.
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