James makes us apply what we already know...sermon post
Onto sermon #2 from the book of James. We go from one verse to three verses and I must be speeding up because I used the same amount of time. Let me share a recap so far of some things we know in our heads as Christians but we need to be reminded of to apply them to our everyday lives when facing trials of various kinds.
James, the half brother of Jesus, writes a letter to the Jews who have converted to Christianity and now are dispersed out from Jerusalem because of persecution. This letter was probably written sometime between 44 A.D. and 49 A.D., just 11 to 16 years after Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension.
James' introduction (v.1) shows his humility of self so that he can exalt his God and Savior, Jesus Christ in whom he is bonded and belonging to as a servant (slave). He also gives clear direction to who he is writing to with his genuine affection for them as his spiritual brothers and sisters. James puts greater emphasis on his God and others than himself.
James reminds his readers of what they already know (v.3) probably as "head" knowledge but he is encouraging and instructing them to make it a "hand" action. They are brothers and sisters in Christ and therefore they have faith given to them by God and have responded to with repentance and submission. They have the reality of trials of various kinds (v.2). How does a Christian respond to these trials of various kinds?
What they know and have been taught is that these trials have a purpose for the Christian to "show" the faith that has been given to them. These trials produce an endurance that if allowed to do its work will produce spiritual maturity that is Christ-like (v.4). James is instructing them to not "bail on God" when life gets uncomfortable as a follower of Christ. James joins Jesus, Peter, and Paul with this message.
What was once easy and exciting with coming into the family of God in 1st century Jerusalem had changed dramatically. They were joining each other in the temple and from home to home pretty freely at first. Thousands were being added to their numbers daily. Great signs were seen and resistance was faced with boldness but the tide had turned. Their Jewish brothers were turning up the heat against them and the Roman government and its loyalty to "Caesar as Lord" was putting the Christians in the persecuted spotlight. The dispersion of them from Jerusalem was part of God's plan and commission laid out in Acts 1:8 (head knowledge) but living it out (hand application) meant a humble stand for Christ and sometimes that led to a physical death.
Going back to the way it was before was probably tempting. The Israelites did this in the desert after being delivered by God from the Pharaoh of Egypt. "Wouldn't it be easier back in Egypt? Why don't we just turn back?" Could James be speaking this to us, Christians in the United States? At one time being a Christian in America was an accepted part of life and seen as a benefit to the community at large. Our country has changed. What was once esteemed is now despised. There could be a temptation for the Christian to respond to this pressure with a "bailing" from Christ. Our "boldness about" has been replaced with a "blending in" to the point of an awkward silence dictated by our fear rather than our given faith.
How do we not "bail"? James said we should "count it all joy" (v.2). We think forward about. We think past the present. We think through the trial and see again the results of the faith that has been given to us. And, we lead in this type of thought so others follow suit. We embrace Hebrews 12:2-3 which reads,
"...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary, fainting in heart."
James has just started this discussion with us as Christians of faith about how to respond to the various trials that we will meet. First instructions from James, "don't bail because of the trial but rather consider and count in the faith given to you by God."
Adam
Comments
Post a Comment