Author: Nick Booth

James 1:16-18

What makes the perfect gift? Gifts we have been told is one of the five love languages. I have just taken an online quiz to find my dominant love language, I’m afraid gifts was my lowest score at 7% out of receiving gifts, words of affirmation, physical touch, acts of service and quality time, which sounds like bad news for my wife. How would you judge whether a gift was the perfect gift? Just for fun try ranking in order these criteria for a good gift. I have written them in no conscious order but it may reveal more about me than I would want anyone to know. By monetary value, by intimate personal connection, by what is good for you, by awareness of your needs, by how much it shows about the giver, by sincerity, by whether or not it is available at the local petrol station.

When reading James’ letter, it is helpful to remember that he is writing with the purpose of helping Christians live out their salvation whatever their circumstances. When he writes, ‘Every good and perfect gift is from above’ c17 he is contrasting that with his previous statement, ‘God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone. v13 Good gifts come from God, bad ones cannot come from God. James cannot mean that all good gifts come directly from God as that is clearly untrue. The gift of flowers I gave my wife today to celebrate our wedding anniversary came from me. However, all of creation, of which the flowers are a wonderful part, have their source in God. The spirit of this is shown in our harvest festival and in the feast of harvest inaugurated in God’s law and communicated by Moses in Exodus 23:16. It is right to give God thanks and praise for the many good gifts that have their origin in nature, for the natural world is his. When we give to God we give him what is already his. As the Anglican liturgy says, ‘Of your own do we give you.’

Gifts can reveal something about the giver and it can also show something about how they view the person they are giving the gift to. When I gave my wife a kitchen appliance on our first Christmas together it could have been interpreted as I felt her place was in the kitchen, more generously it could have been interpreted as something we both needed now we were married or as I tried to explain without much success, I would have loved to have been given a drill for Christmas. It showed up a dreadful lack of insight into my wife’s feelings.

What do God’s gifts show us about him. They show a God who is unchanging and as such is utterly dependable. v17 He is all powerful and yet he is tender. Although he is the, ‘Father of the heavenly lights,’ v17 that is the celestial universe, he also took the form of a man and suffered as a man on our behalf.

His great and continuing gift is his word of truth. v18 This is our daily gift, it had the power to bring us to new life and now it has the power to sustain us. It is a gift that reveals to us the heart of the giver and more than that it guides us each step of our life. In doing so it turns us into our own harvest gift to God the Father as he sees the seed of his word bears much fruit.

How much is the gift that God gives worth? It is worth more than all money can buy because it cost the life of God’s Son. It cost him who is perfect paying the cost of all our sin. But incredibly to those who trust in him it is completely free and undeserved. On top of that he honours us with being the first fruits of his plan to renew all creation.

Let us return to those “just for fun” criteria when considering salvation through Jesus Christ. In monetary terms it is priceless, it could not be more intimate as his Spirit gives birth to ours, it is good not only because it meets our needs but our relationship with him is eternally satisfying, through Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension to glory it shows the true character of God, it is offered to all who would accept it by faith with utter sincerity. Is it available at the local petrol station? Yes, it is available wherever you turn to him, repent and believe.

Chris Tomlin – Gifts From God

James 1:13-15

Every day I am tempted to sin. Sadly, there are times when I give in to the temptation to sin. After all there are many ways to sin and sin can come in the thoughts we indulge in, things we do and things we say. There are times when I am tempted to rank sin and so deceive myself into thinking that a particular sin is so common place it doesn’t really matter. God does not indulge in such muddled thinking.

One of the forms of self deception is to consider temptation to sin as a test or trial from God, sent by him to help us grow in our ability to combat temptation. James very firmly refutes that. ‘When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.”’ James 1:13 So let us be clear what is meant by sin. ‘Now the works of the flesh (Sin) are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.’ Galatians 5:19-20 Jesus made clear that sin does not just include our actions it also includes pursuing our sinful thoughts. Mathew 2:28

The bible as a whole, as well as Jesus, asserts sin comes from within not without. We can be just like a child when caught by their parent or teacher and blame others or circumstances for making us sin. In Jesus’ words, ‘For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person.’ Mathew 15:19-20 It is important to face up to our natural inclinations to sin.

Sin is serious. It is because of God’s desire to save us from our sin that Jesus died. When James says, ‘sin, when it is full grown, gives birth to death’ he is not only referring to Adam and Eve. He is referring to permanent separation from God. Jesus taught us to pray each day, ‘lead us not into temptation,’ Luke 11:4 he knew the serious implications of succumbing to temptation.

Have we asked the Holy Spirit to make clear to us how we are tempted and what we are tempted to do?

Do we think in some way we are immune to temptation?

Do we avoid the seriousness of sin?

Do we choose to ignore what our sin cost Jesus?

More than conquerors – Rend Collective

James 1:5-8

The bible is overflowing with wisdom but a repeated theme is also how wisdom is attained. James knows that if the scattered church is to grow and thrive then the church is going to need to be wise. However Godly and spiritual wisdom is different from the common currency of worldly wisdom or wisdom of the age. What does the bible teach us about how the church can acquire Godly wisdom?

Firstly by confessing that self wisdom is not sufficient or even reliable. Today of course this is counter cultural in a society that advocates self reliance as a virtue. However, the bible teaches that Godly wisdom does not come from within but is a gift of God. Solomon displayed this self awareness when as the ruling king he declared to God, ‘I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.’ 1 Kings 3:7 It would benefit the church greatly if those in leadership maintained Solomon’s level of humility and self awareness as there is a great temptation to fall back on trusting on one’s own capacity to be a reservoir of wisdom.

Wisdom is a spiritual gift that is given by God. Solomon’s wisdom was given to him as a gift when he met God in a dream. ‘I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so there will be never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.’ 1 Kings 3:12

Wisdom involves having the same heart attitudes as God. Later James elaborates on these heart attitudes, ‘the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.’ James 3:17 Paul prays, ‘that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened.’ Ephesians 1:16

Wisdom is born out of a relationship with God and brings with it an understanding of God and the blessings he has given to his children, the church. ‘That you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might.’ Ephesians 1:18-19

Despite God’s promise to Solomon that no one will ever have more wisdom than him God desires to give wisdom to all of his children. We do not need to feel awkward about asking for wisdom. James 1:5 However wisdom is a more all encompassing than simply making a good decision about what to do in a particular situation. It involves our entire relationship with him and obedience to his commands. Paul prays for the Colossians, ‘That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.’ Colossians 2:2-3 Solomon himself records ‘The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.’ Proverbs 10:8

James encourages the church to pray for wisdom, ‘in faith without doubting.’ James 1:6 James means them to have a settled faith based on the character of God and his promises. Doubt being tossed about refers to believers having an inner conflict between trusting in God’s wisdom and their own natural abilities or those of their surrounding culture. He says that to not trust in and obey God’s wisdom is to be two minded and uncertain, living a life torn between God and the world. James 1:8

The importance of being obedient to God’s wisdom is seen in the eventual life of Solomon who allowed disobedience of God’s wisdom and sin to come into his life and start a slide downward in national holiness which eventually led to the collapse of Israel as a nation. We need to maintain our obedience until the end of our life.

Are we bold enough to ask God for the gift of his wisdom?
Do we find ourselves tossed about torn between the world’s way and God’s?

Immortal, Invisible, God only wise.

James 1:9-12

Last week Heather and I visited St David’s cathedral in Pembrokeshire. The cathedral, by cathedral standards, was fairly small and simple. There were some shadows on the walls and pillars where once in medieval times it had been a brightly painted place but these were now barely visible. Although now a focal point for Welsh culture, it was an understated building with a feeling of humility. Immediately next to the Cathedral were the remains of a building that by its size far outstripped the cathedral. The palace was built by Bishop Henry De Gower as his personal home, a vastly rich man, chancellor for the kingdom. The Bishops of St David’s were Lord Marchers. “Lord Marchers were trusted allies of the English monarch and in return for their military role they were given extraordinary powers in their regions, acting as de-facto rulers. The Bishop had the right to hold weekly markets and annual fairs on his estates. Tolls from these markets and fairs were a major source of income.” (Britain Express) It reminded me of King Solomon who built the first temple at Jerusalem but built himself a far bigger palace.

As one walked around the cathedral there were ornate tombs, most seemed to be the burial place for a past bishop. But on one wall there was a plaque to commemorate the faithful life and service of a vast number of unnamed priests many not recorded and forgotten. I found no commemoration of the thousands who have worshiped and served in humbler roles over the centuries like the man I saw outside, on his knees clearing soil and grass from plaques laid in the grass while the rain poured down around him.

James brings a sharper reality to all Christians’ common status in Christ. First, we should hold a humble view of ourselves regarding who we are and our importance considered in the light of God’s future, even if we live to an old age, have great wealth and are honoured by the world around. Our life will still be as short lived as a day lily. v10 If we as a Christian are regarded as powerless and impoverished by society we will be raised up by Christ. James makes clear that the person who perseveres will be given the crown of life by Jesus who loves him or her.

This passage is a challenge to us to see each other as Christ sees us. To value what Christ values and to not waste our time, effort and desires on those things that fade and die. It is a very clear statement of each Christian’s equality in the sight of God. Why then do we so often fall into the trap of valuing as the world values rather than valuing people for what they are in Christ?

Peter picks up the same theme, ‘Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.’ 1 Peter 5-6

Have we asked Christ to align our hearts and values with his?

Do we value each brother and sister in Christ alike?

Are we tempted to consider ourselves as of less or more value to God than another brother or sister in Christ?

Are we looking forward to the crown of life the Lord has promised those who love him?

Crown of life – Rev Milton Brunson Community Singers

James 1:2-4,1:12

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Mathew 5:11-12

It is unlikely that most of us immediately consider difficulties in Christian life as something that brings us personal joy. It is hard to fail to see beyond the immediate problem that faces us. Why then does James urge the scattered Christians who have fled persecution to consider the trials of life something they should attach joy to? It has to do with how being in Christ resets our long term perspective. The trials of many kinds v2 include persecution but it is a term used to mean all kinds of difficulties that beset us over a lifetime. James’ initial audience were people who no longer lived in their home country which sets up many challenges. Now they followed Christ their value system differed from the culture they lived in. They would have often been treated with suspicion. Such trials can also include financial hardship, ill health and discrimination.

There can be a temptation to give up on one’s faith when hardship comes, especially if the hardship is directly connected to being a follower of Jesus. James though sees these things as an opportunity for Christian growth as did Jesus in Mathew 5:11-12. Perseverance in the faith and in the process to grow more like Jesus is a quality the Holy Spirit develops within us. It cannot be developed without trials and so some of the joy stems from God working within us. As followers of Jesus we cannot expect to be privileged more than Jesus and he faced many trials on our behalf up to and including his trial and death. By going through trials with the Holy Spirit within us he is maturing us as Christians, v4 equipping us for ministry to others and creating in us opportunities for worship.

Joy comes when our goal in life has been changed. If we cannot see beyond our trials we will not find the joy both Jesus and James were speaking of. If our goal is to live for Christ now in whatever circumstances we find ourselves in, to become more like Jesus and serve him today with a view to being with him forever then we will find joy in this life and in eternity with him. We have not been called to live in a protected bubble where all hardships are deflected. We are called to go through all life brings with our eyes fixed firmly on him. If we avoid all trials we will not grow in Christ. Perseverance is an important Christian virtue and quality frequently mentioned by Jesus (Luke 8:15;21:19, Mathew 10:22) and perfectly exhibited by Jesus himself.

When Paul and Silas were beaten, put in prison with their feet in stocks they sang hymns and prayed loudly. In their trials they still found joy in their salvation and that they should be considered worthy to suffer for Christ and for the sake of the gospel. We should be careful that any suffering we experience does not arise from sin and disobeying the gospel.

Can you look back on trials in your life and see how Christ developed perseverance within you?

Are you able to keep your eyes on Jesus in the midst of trials?

Bless the Lord O my soul – Matt Redman