Hi All
James is one book which has attracted much discussion in the whole faith vs works theological argument. Luther called it a ” gospel of straw” But it is far more to me, there is much practical advice in this little book. It starts with the reality that was facing First Century Christians, that of trials, of being under severe persecution by Roman authorities.
Counting it all joy when we fall into various trials, is for many oxymoronic, but when one steps back and listens to what James is saying it is when we undergo difficulty that Character is built, that we are moulded and fashioned (cf. Romans 5 vs. 1-5)
At Laidlaw over the weekend I was blessed to hear the real life stories of graduates, and the martyr’s garden reinforced that there is a costliness to faith .We so often want to life to be easy and simple, and the prosperity doctrine imported from overseas is severely flawed.
I hope this meditation helps you to re-focus and to recognise that apart from God, we are weak, but in and through him we can withstand what the world throws at us.
James 1 vs. 2-6 – Faith and Endurance
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow,
Be prepared to seek God’s guidance and look to him for help so that the Spirit he can employ
On your behalf to help fight the good fight and to guide you in what things you need to faith show
On what things to take a stand, on what things to be prepared to let go, and on what to be coy
On what to be open, for you are called to be wise and discerning about what we let others know
For the Spirit is your counsellor who guides us in truth and knows God’s will and Satan’s every ploy
So you can know when your faith is tested, that you can endure in God’s strength and let your faith grow
For when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you, he will not rebuke you for asking
Rather he calls seek and keep seeking, knock and keep knocking, ask and keep asking all things
And as you do you’ll find your God does answer and guide you through, he is able to do multi-tasking!
Indeed he is all-present and all knowing, as we trust him he is able to inspire and hope to us brings
So if you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you, he will not rebuke you for asking
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.
We need to be alert for our enemy prowls around looking to devour the weak to a person
God’s desire is that we do not have a spirit of timidity but of power, love and a sound mind
And if seek him with all we are, not relying on own understanding we won’t be uncertain
Rather we can know and trust him who calms the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind
Mark Maffey, August 2008©
(NLT)
http://maffster.blogtown.co.nz/