Join us as we read the scriptures and a daily devotion written by Don Crisp. We pray these messages will bless us all at this time.
Monday 8th June – James 1:1-4
Categories: Don’s Daily Devotions
Mon 8th June – Read James 1:1-4
V1: Who is this James? Almost certainly the Lord’s “brother”, the son of Mary and Joseph, who became a leader of the “mother church” in Jerusalem, which remained predominantly Jewish. So he writes to Jewish Christians wherever they are scattered. Note he refers to himself only as a servant (literally bond-slave) of God and of the Lord Jesus – to put them together in this way is to declare that Jesus, the Son, is truly, as the Father, God.
V2: He calls on them not only to accept trials and troubles uncomplainingly but actually to rejoice in them when they are for the Lord’s sake. So, Jesus Himself in Matthew 5:12 – and there are many seeming echoes of the Sermon on the Mount in this letter. was James there, though, as we know, not yet a believer?
V3: For God uses our trials to test the quality of our faith – not that He does not know, the purpose is for us, and others to know our faith is real by our response. Faith that endures produces ” steadfastness” – some versions say “patience” – the idea is really “patience plus” -the fruit of a strong, secure faith that clings to the Lord at all times.
V4: Let this develop in you, says James. ( Our faith must be active, not merely passive.) This will make us mature as Christians ( not “perfect” in the sense of without sin, that will only be ours in glory), but causing us to grow in the Christian life, be more like Christ and proving His work of grace in us.