December 15 A READ JAMES 1–5
Doers of the Word
OVERVIEW
James recognizes there can be a dangerous false conclusion from the simple equation “salvation = faith + nothing.” Someone may conclude, “As long as I have faith, it doesn’t matter how I act.” But James responds with ringing clarity that a faith that produces no change in action or attitude is really no faith at all. Partiality, neglect of the poor, quarreling, a bitter tongue, a proud attitude—all are inconsistent with the royal law of love that Christ proclaimed.
MY DAILY WALK
In the Chinese picture-letter alphabet, the symbol for crisis is a combination of two characters—one meaning “danger” and the other “opportunity.” You can look at it either way.
The same can be said of trials in the Christian life. A crisis that appears to one Christian as a calamity may be viewed by another as an opportunity. You can see your problems as purposeful and joyful if you see them from God’s perspective. Tested faith produces endurance (1:3), maturity (1:4), and God’s rich reward (1:12).
As you read through the book of James, how would you catalog the various tests of faith you discover? Do you find some of the same crises you are presently facing?
Next to the ones on your list that look painfully familiar, put a check mark. Then ponder this question: If God intends these problems as opportunities for me to grow rather than dangers for me to fear, how can I cooperate with him to make the most of these faith-stretching trials? Close your time with God by telling him what you intend to do with your new perspective on your problems.
MORE CAN BE LEARNED FROM LIFE’S TRIALS THAN FROM ITS TRIUMPHS.
INSIGHT
Triple-Tongue Poison | Jas. 3:10-12
Slander has been called the third tongue, inflicting injury on three people at once: the speaker, the hearer, and the one spoken about. According to James, it’s impossible to praise God and poison others simultaneously (3:10-12). Try reading a praise psalm out loud next time you feel like venting about the faults you see in someone else.
INSIGHT
Was James Eavesdropping on the Mount? | Jas. 5:1
Four verses in the book of James correspond to passages from Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount. Read Matthew 5:10-12, 34-37; 7:16-20, 24, 26. Can you find the four corresponding allusions in today’s reading?
Greetings from James
1This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad.
Greetings!
Faith and Endurance
2Dear brothers and sisters,* when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
5If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
9Believers who are* poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. 10And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. 11The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.
12God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong,* and he never tempts anyone else. 14Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
16So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.* He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.* 18He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.*
Listening and Doing
19Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20Human anger* does not produce the righteousness* God desires. 21So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
22But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
26If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. 27Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.