P’s and Q’s : James 1
“James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.” (verse 1)
- “Bondservant” is the Greek word doulos which means “devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests” (literally, a “slave by choice”).
What is the significance of considering yourself a “slave by choice” of God and Jesus?
If a person is a bondservant of Jesus, that person has decided to give Jesus his/her whole heart and committed to follow in His footsteps with everything he/she has.
How should that affect your daily life?
There should be daily surrendering to Christ through the reading of His Word and prayer.
Would your friends and family identify you as one who is living completely surrendered to God or as one who needs to surrender your life? Why?
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“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” (verses 2 & 3)
- Describe a trial you have gone through recently. How can you “consider it all joy” when encountering these trials?
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How have you seen God produce endurance in you through these trials?
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“And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (verse 4)
- How do you feel after enduring a trial? What would it look like for you to be a believer who “lacks in nothing”?
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“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” (verses 5-8)
- Why do you think God wants to generously give you wisdom? Why is wisdom not granted to someone who doubts God?
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How do trials in your life produce wisdom from God?
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“But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position…” (verse 9)
- Also note, Matthew 5:3 which says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” What should you take pride in? How can you glory in your humility?
There are two kinds of pride. Pride, in the selfish sense, is against everything Jesus stood for, but pride expressed in a way of doing things well is a good thing. James calls Christians living in humble or lowly circumstances to take pride or boast about their truly exalted position in Christ.
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In your life, how do you need to be sharpened by God to grow in humility?
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- How have you seen riches pass and wither away in the United States? How should this affect your attitude towards your possessions and your future?
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“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” (verse 12)
- What reward awaits the person who perseveres under trial? How should this affect your attitude in the midst of trials?
The crown of life awaits – eternity with Jesus.
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“Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.” (verses 13-15)
- God does not tempt you. Where does temptation come from? When temptation comes, do you tend to blame others instead of taking responsibility for your own sin?
Temptation comes from the enemy, the devil.
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“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” (verse 17)
- God gives good gifts, and He is always good. How would you define “good” in this verse? How have you seen this verse to be true in your life?
“Good” is anything that comes from God (peace, joy, love, contentment, fulfillment, etc.)
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Three Takeaways:
- God wants to bring joy, even in your trials.
- Give wants to provide wisdom in your life.
- Give wants to give you good gifts.
