Greeting to the Twelve Tribes:
1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad:
Greetings.
Profiting from Trials:
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
It’s believed that the author of this book is James the son of Joseph and Mary, who was the half-brother of Jesus. James was the leader of the early church in Jerusalem. The introduction to this letter is very significant. James introduces himself as a servant relating not to his relationship to Jesus through Mary, but the relationship that he sustained after Jesus became Lord in his life.
Secondly, the letter is significant as it relates to the 12 tribes of Israel -- the Christian Jews who were dispersed throughout the world; Jewish believers spread over the world, as the result of many scatterings and captivities and persecutions. And now James is writing to them to encourage them and instruct them.
A constant note throughout the book of James, is that these people suffered because they were Christians. Their sufferings were many: They had lost their jobs; young people had been thrown out of their homes; children were mocked and turned out of the Jewish schools. Furthermore, the Gentiles hated them because they were Jews, and the Jews despised them because they were Christians.
The introduction is also a brief salutation: "Greeting." The Greek translation of "greeting" is "Rejoice!" "Be satisfied!" How could they rejoice in their present circumstances?
Pastor Collins’ sermon “The Believers Blessing,” relates suffering as testing of our faith; and that there is a blessing in our pain and distress. Pastor Collins preached about the faithfulness of God; how God would not allow His people to be tempted beyond what they can bear; and that God would always provide an out -- a way to stand up under afflictions. (See l Cor. 10:13).
In the scriptures, James makes two important points about suffering:
1. Suffering is inevitable.
James writes "Count it all joy when you meet trials."(verse 2) Trials are not optional. Peter tells us, "Don't think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing has happened unto you. But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; so that when He is revealed in His glory you will be revealed also."(l Peter 4:13) Suffering is a normal part of the process God uses to bring us to glory.
2. Suffering is purposeful
Suffering is the testing of you faith, suffering produces dedication, persistence and faithfulness. "But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him"(verses 4-5).
God looks at our lives, and moves to complete areas of inadequacies or incompleteness. God in all His mercy and grace, will bring things into our lives that will reveal what we are really like. At that point we will need to lay hold of the resources of Jesus Christ. The Lord will go right through our lives from top to bottom molding and shaping us to maturity.
Christian friends, can you rejoice in suffering? Because you know that God is dealing with an area of your life that needs to be corrected, are you willing now to let God do whatever he wants?
Secondly, the letter is significant as it relates to the 12 tribes of Israel -- the Christian Jews who were dispersed throughout the world; Jewish believers spread over the world, as the result of many scatterings and captivities and persecutions. And now James is writing to them to encourage them and instruct them.
A constant note throughout the book of James, is that these people suffered because they were Christians. Their sufferings were many: They had lost their jobs; young people had been thrown out of their homes; children were mocked and turned out of the Jewish schools. Furthermore, the Gentiles hated them because they were Jews, and the Jews despised them because they were Christians.
The introduction is also a brief salutation: "Greeting." The Greek translation of "greeting" is "Rejoice!" "Be satisfied!" How could they rejoice in their present circumstances?
Pastor Collins’ sermon “The Believers Blessing,” relates suffering as testing of our faith; and that there is a blessing in our pain and distress. Pastor Collins preached about the faithfulness of God; how God would not allow His people to be tempted beyond what they can bear; and that God would always provide an out -- a way to stand up under afflictions. (See l Cor. 10:13).
In the scriptures, James makes two important points about suffering:
1. Suffering is inevitable.
James writes "Count it all joy when you meet trials."(verse 2) Trials are not optional. Peter tells us, "Don't think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing has happened unto you. But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; so that when He is revealed in His glory you will be revealed also."(l Peter 4:13) Suffering is a normal part of the process God uses to bring us to glory.
2. Suffering is purposeful
Suffering is the testing of you faith, suffering produces dedication, persistence and faithfulness. "But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him"(verses 4-5).
God looks at our lives, and moves to complete areas of inadequacies or incompleteness. God in all His mercy and grace, will bring things into our lives that will reveal what we are really like. At that point we will need to lay hold of the resources of Jesus Christ. The Lord will go right through our lives from top to bottom molding and shaping us to maturity.
Christian friends, can you rejoice in suffering? Because you know that God is dealing with an area of your life that needs to be corrected, are you willing now to let God do whatever he wants?
author by: B. Stevenson
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