Lessons from the Book of James part 1

Lessons from the Book of James

Part 1

The writer James is universally said to be the brother of Jesus mentioned in Matthew 13:55.

          At first, not a believer, he went on to become a prominent one in the early church, becoming a leader in the council of Jerusalem.

          He was one of the people Christ appeared to after His resurrection.

          James was martyred in AD 62, and his letter was written to Jewish Christians, but is in every way a guide book for all Christians to live by.

Tests

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you maybe mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

                                                                        James 1:2-4

          No one likes trials and persecution but, my pastor has a phrase, “you need a test before you have a testimony.” he’s right. I have never met a mature Christian that has not had a test in their life. Most  older Christians have had to work through many, over the years.

          We must, however, remember that if we are going to go through a test, that we are going through it, for the right reason.

          It’s wrong to sit back with a judgmental attitude screaming about the ills of the world. Then, when the world starts jumping all over you and rejecting what you say to call it persecution. It’s not. Jesus in Matthew 7:1 told us not to judge, and as long as we don’t judge we will be more readily accepted by the world.

          Jesus said, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”

                                            Matthew 10:16

          What Jesus here is saying as I see it is be careful and on the alert but don’t be aggressive.  Present the gospel in a nonthreatening way, leaving it up to the Holy Spirit to convict the individual.

          If you are then persecuted for what you have said and believe, that is true persecution. Then, as James puts it “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

          Even if you don’t like what you’re going thought.