James 1:1-18
"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear."
(1 CORINTHIANS 10:13)
Physical fitness programs are popular these days (and especially when the New Year rolls around!). We spend much time and money for our rigorous training regimes. Does the same attitude prevail toward training in spiritual fitness? Probably not, though our spiritual condition will take us into eternity.
A qualified trainer is an asset to a person trying to "get in shape." For our spiritual fitness, nothing could surpass having the precious Holy Spirit alongside. He doesn't find fault. He shows the best way to tackle each challenge. He knows what we are capable of. And even when it seems the struggle will not end, the Holy Spirit will always provide a way out so that we can stand up under the trial (v. 13b). Our trials and temptations will not outlast the faithfulness and compassion of Jesus.
For now, James' instruction to "consider it pure joy...whenever you face trials" may be a stretch. But even when our stamina fades and we feel like giving up, we know that our loving Savior is faithful.
INSIGHT
"BUT THANKS BE TO GOD!
HE GIVES US THE VICTORY THROUGH OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST."
(1 CORINTHIANS 15:57)
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Genesis 29-30
Psalm 15
Matthew 23
James 1:1-18
New Living Translation (NLT)
Greetings from James
1 This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad.
Greetings!
Faith and Endurance
2 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
9 Believers who are[b] poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. 10 And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. 11 The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.
12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong,[c] and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
16 So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.[d] He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.[e] 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.[f]
Footnotes:
a. James 1:2 Greek brothers; also in 1:16, 19.
b. James 1:9 Greek The brother who is.
c. James 1:13 Or God should not be put to a test by evil people.
d. James 1:17 Greek from above, from the Father of lights.
e. James 1:17 Some manuscripts read He never changes, as a shifting shadow does.
f. James 1:18 Greek we became a kind of firstfruit of his creatures.
COME TO ME
There are many things in this world that can wear us down and leave us exhausted. Only by following Christ can we truly know the relief that comes from taking on His yoke to find rest for our souls.
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