So, I have been thinking about authenticity and spending some time in the book of James. Here are some random points that stood out to me in the first chapter:
-Trials are good. They mature us.
-If we don’t know what we’re doing, ask God. He loves to help and will give us wisdom if we ask confidently.
-Our circumstances in life can change in a split second, so don’t put a lot of value on “stuff”.
-God doesn’t tempt us. Temptations come from within ourselves because of our sinful nature.
-Listen well, speak slowly, and be very slow to anger. We can’t operate in God’s righteousness if we are constantly wielding an angry tongue.
-Act on what you hear. True faith always produces fruit. Genuine faith produces genuine works.
Do any of these stand out to you? Have you learned any of these lessons the hard way, or are you in the process of learning one now?
What? Trials are good? Yes, they can be! When we are being challenged, we are forced to put it all on the table and exercise the faith we have. This exercise makes faith stronger just like when we physically exercise muscles. If you sit around all day in comfort, and have everything you need brought to you on a platter, what happens? Your muscles, your sources of strength, get weak and flabby. We shouldn’t have flabby faith, and it is hard to keep it strong if we never have to use it. Make sense?
In the midst of a trial, do you ask God for wisdom and help? I am continually asking for wisdom in how to parent my 3 year old. I certainly don’t know what I’m doing on my own, but I do know that God gave that child to me and He will also give me the knowledge and ability (and patience!) to raise Him as I should. The tricky part is remembering that and being continually aware of the need to rely on God instead of ourselves.
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5)
As far as life’s circumstances changing in an instant, we probably all know someone this has happened to. Maybe it had even happened to you. A sudden job loss, devastating medical report, financial disaster…all these things can and do happen, which is why we shouldn’t make a “comfortable” life the thing we strive for with our whole hearts. All that stuff will be gone someday anyway, right?
Have you heard people make comments such as “God is tempting me” or “God is testing me to see if I fall for it”? v.13-15 tell us this isn’t true-
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Our interest in sin comes from within us, because we are sinners. And it can be a slippery slope- starts with a little interest, we think about it more and more until it seems ok, then we go ahead and do it and that path leads to nowhere good. The more time we spend immersed in things that don’t please God, the more numb we grow to it all and it doesn’t seem so bad anymore. TV? Books? Music? Other media? Certain friends? These things all have a profound influence on us, but we usually don’t realize it at the time. You can think “Well, this movie isn’t TOO bad. There’s only that one part that is bad… every good movie is like that these days.” True, most movies are like that, but just ask yourself “Is this pleasing to God?” Be careful not to dull your sensitivity by constantly being immersed in things that are not pleasing to Him.
Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. God's righteousness doesn't grow from human anger. (James 1:19-20, The Message)
This is fairly straightforward. Just a reminder that we should be good at listening, slow to speak, and quick to keep a handle on our tempers! I’m sure you know someone who flies off the handle at the slightest thing. Do you associate their behavior with God’s righteousness? Probably not. We should be patient and understanding with people so they can see Jesus in us. Anger certainly blocks that light from shining through.
And now for my favorite point from the chapter- act on what you hear-
Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like. (James 1:22-24, The Message)
I like the comparison to someone who walks away from a mirror and forgets what they look like. If you forget who you are when you are not looking at yourself, you aren’t very familiar with yourself at all, are you? I’m sure we have all come home on a Sunday afternoon and immediately forgotten what the sermon was about that morning- I know I have. Even if it was a great sermon, if we don’t make a point of actually doing something with the information, it is useless to us. Put it into action so that someone can grow from it and be helped by it.
Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world. (James 1:26-27, The Message)
All talk and no action? This passage is a good reminder to examine our lives for evidence of “real” religion. It’s easy to say the right things, but a lot more difficult to take action and actually do something. This can be a test that reveals the quality of our faith- true faith always produces fruit. Is there fruit in your life? Here’s a challenge to take some time and really examine things and make some changes if needed. It’s so easy to get caught up in our everyday routines and responsibilities and forget what kind of life God wants us to lead. I think that can be the worst place to be sometimes- a life of comfort and luxury. Everything is going great, so why do we need God? That’s an easy lie to believe. Sometimes being in uncomfortable, desperate places are good places to be because we are reminded of our need for dependence on God and His work in our lives.
These are just some random thoughts on James 1- anything else stick out to you as you read the chapter?
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