Hi Ladies,
Since not all of you are able to join in the James study this summer, I thought I’d take this week to share some gleanings from the dig. 🙂
Have you ever heard James referred to as “the New Testament Proverbs”? While the letter does seem to take more of a wisdom-literature approach than the other New Testament books, I’m seeing that James writes with a more cohesive thought than I first realized. Some of its well-known verses have significant context to them.
For example, how many times have you seen or heard this verse quoted?
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5)
We know from the rest of Scripture that wisdom comes from God (Pr. 2:6-7), that Christ is Wisdom incarnate (1 Cor. 1:30), and that asking for wisdom is right and good (1 Kgs 3:9, Pr. 2:1, Ps. 119:66, Eph. 1:17). So this verse from James can stand alone. But we miss a lot without the context! Look at what precedes verse 5:
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom…”
James begins chapter 1 championing steadfastness (vv. 3-4), highlights it again in v. 12, and concludes the chapter with a synonym (perseveres) in. v. 25… not to mention all the occurrences in chapter 5. It’s definitely a theme!
Here he tells us to consider it a joyful thing when we fall into trials, since we have confidence that God is using them to prove and strengthen our faith. This “worked out” faith is one that can endure longer and longer under pressure. That’s the literal meaning of the Greek word for steadfast (hypomeno…remember that word?!). The final result - the end of sanctification - is our being perfect, complete, whole, lacking in nothing. (Sounds amazing, doesn’t it?) We know that we won’t arrive at this until we are glorified. But God’s good design and plan for our lives is to work in and through the trials to make us more and more like who He created us to be.
This is God’s perspective. And James tells his readers (including us) this perspective. He could have followed this with something blunt like, “That’s what’s coming, but boy, you all sure lack a lot now!” But, he didn’t. He gently rolled on with something to the effect of, “If any of you lacks wisdom to understand this perspective, then just ask Him…”
This wisdom James tells us to ask for is not simply about what to do or what to say or where to go…. It’s a wisdom to see life (and particularly the hard parts…which are many) from God’s perspective: designed by a sovereignly good God to make us more like His Son; and then the grace to live in light of it.
Is it easy to see life this way? No.
Is it possible? Yes.
How? Because we have access to the One who tells us to. He bids us come and ask! And not only does He promise to grant it, but He does so generously, liberally, without holding back, and without looking down on us for asking. He delights in hearing from His children and helping us see His glory and goodness.
Isn’t that amazing?!
If you are struggling to see the hardship you are enduring as a good thing, get on your knees (literally or spiritually), and cry out to Your Father. Ask Him to help you see life as He does. Ask Him for grace to trust His ways. Ask Him to make you more and more steadfast through the pain. And ask Him to give you the resolve to consider the process joy, since you know not only what He is accomplishing now, but also the glorious end to come.
I promise it will be worth it all, Sisters!
Let’s pray for one another this week, that we would live this out more and more, so that we might be steadfast women, full of joy in Him! ❤️🙏🏼
Anna
P.S. Come pray this for one another at our prayer gathering tomorrow at 6pm!
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