James 1:12

 James 1:12 says, Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.  James said those who endured temptation were blessed, since when they had their faith tried and didn’t give in to temptation, they would receive a crown of life from the Lord, which He has promised to those who love Him.  We aren’t to look for things that tempt us, but there will be many things that do.  Then, when we are tempted, we need to just remain faithful to God by the power of the Holy Spirit living in us.  

Verse thirteen adds, Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:  James then tells us that we should never say that temptation comes from God, which would put the blame for our failure on Him.  He further plainly states that God does not tempt anyone.  God may allow our faith to be tested by temptation, but He will never be the source of the temptation.  

Verse fourteen continues, But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.  James added that when we are tempted, it is by our own lusts, and I would add by Satan who knows how to tempt us.  

Verse fifteen concludes, Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.  James said that lust begins in our thoughts and when it takes over, we give in to sin.  If we do something sinful without knowing that it is sinful, it is not the same as just knowingly giving in to sin.  

Verse sixteen states, Do not err, my beloved brethren.  James then challenged his brothers to not err in their faith and by insinuation give in to sin.  We cannot be faithful to God if we err in our faith.  

Verse seventeen adds, Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.  James said that all good and perfect gifts come from God above.  He also said that these gifts were from the Father of lights, in whom there is no variableness.  God will never change His standards to allow people to live with unrepentant sin. 

Verse eighteen continues, Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.  James said that God brings us salvation through Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son.  We are to be the first fruits of God’s gift of salvation when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  We will never be a second or third generation Christian in God’s view, but when we accept His gift of salvation, we are always a part of the first fruit. 

James 1:9

James 1:9 says, Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:  Paul said that those of low degree, or poorer people who might be looked down on by others, would be exalted, or lifted up, by God for their faithfulness to Him.  If we are faithful to God as followers of Christ, people of the world may often look down on us, but we will be spiritually lifted up by God.  James was not saying that we would be lifted up in our status in the word materially, but that we would be lifted up in God’s eyes.  

Verse ten adds, But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.  James then said that the rich would be made low since their riches would last no longer than the grass that passes away.  This doesn’t mean all rich people are doomed, but that those who put their faith in their riches and earthly status will be brought low spiritually when they face God’s final judgment.  

Verse eleven continues, For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.  James continued with his analogy of the rich being like the grass and flowers.  Both wither in the heat and grace that the rich think they have because their riches and own merit will likewise pass away if it is gained without obeying God’s word.  No matter how many riches we may have materially, they will one day pass away, when we die if not before.  Only the things we gain spiritually will last.  

James 1:5

James 1:5 says, If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  James didn’t say if we lack knowledge ask God for it, but if we lack wisdom.  We may gain a lot of knowledge from studying, but we may be very well educated and still lack wisdom which comes from God.  All we have to do is accept that He is the source of wisdom instead of thinking we can gain it by our own understanding.  

Verse six adds, But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.  James said that we are to ask for wisdom in faith that does not waver.  We cannot see God as the source of wisdom one day and doubt Him the next if we are to gain spiritual wisdom.  

Verse seven continues, For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.  James said that people who waver in their faith should not expect anything from God.  I believe that if we ask God for wisdom that we can never waver in believing that He will give us wisdom if we are to have true wisdom.  We cannot believe at one time and doubt the next.

Verse eight states, A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.  A double minded man would be a man who tried to live by the wisdom of God but also tried to live by what the world may teach that is opposed to God’s word. James said such a person is unstable in all their ways.

James 1:1

 James 1:1 says, James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.  James identifies himself as the author, or writer of this letter.  Matthew Henry says this was James the son of Alpheus and one of the apostles, but I believe there is some debate as to which James this was.  We just have to understand that it is the inspired word of God written to all Christians at all times.  It is called a general epistle because it is not addressed to any particular person or group of people.  God’s written word is always addressed to all people, and we as followers of Christ simply have to accept it by faith.  

Verse two adds, My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;  This might seem to be a strange statement, but God has said that if we are followers of Christ that we will be tempted by Satan, just as Jesus Christ Himself was.  If we are tempted by anything to turn away from God, we should count it as a joy that we are, because it means that we are still worthy of being tempted and have not given in to sin.  

Verse three continues, Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  James adds that the trying of our faith leads to patience in our faith in God.  Patience in our faith in God should always be our desire.  

Verse four adds, But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.  James asked that patience leads to perfect work so that we might be perfect and whole and wanting nothing.  We know that we will never be perfect, but we should have a perfect faith in God’s mercy and redemption which make us whole spiritually.  Our spiritual work should be done because that is what God leads us to do.