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Chapter 1 - Seven Characteristics of a Perfect (Mature) Faith - Contents
I. Seven Characteristics of A Perfect (Mature) Faith.
James 1:2-12 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
- A Perfect Faith Will Have Joy in the Midst of Trials. James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
None of us look forward to trials and tests of our faith. In fact most of us have this erroneous idea that if we do our best to live for God everything will just turn out fine. The truth of the matter is that we human beings who have been saved are liable to have many of the same trials that the lost folks have in their lives. During the Holocaust in Germany many who were dedicated Christians had to endure some terrible trials and even death. During the 70+ years of godless atheism in Russia and its territories Christians were put in prison, tortured, and killed simply because they believed in God. It has been that way throughout the many years of the New Testament Church. Job told us this in his writings:
Job 5:7 Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.
Job 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.
One thing that is different about our troubles, God is with us in the midst of them:
Psalm 31:7 I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;
Psalm 46:1 To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
These are just a few of the many great promises of God to be with us through our difficulties. Many times in their teachings the Pentecostal-Charismatic Movement emphasizes that you won't have any sicknesses if you are really saved because "healing is in the atonement." It is really hard to teach that as a Bible doctrine because they all get sick and eventually they die. Oh, wait, doctrines are of the 'devil.' At least that is what most of them believe.
So, one of the "Marks of a Mature Faith' that James lists at the very beginning of his letter is that we should have "Joy" through our trials. Yes, we are to "count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;" Wow, that is a very convicting thought to me. I have had a real difficult time during the minor troubles that I have gone through to "count it all joy…" How about you?
Here is an illustration from the author of our original study. Karl Loes, a Jew who knew Jesus as his Messiah, when he was imprisoned in one of the Nazi death camps, wrote this on the wall of the cellar in which he was in,
"I believe in the sun when it is not shining. I believe in love, even when I do not feel it. I believe in my Lord Jesus, even when He is silent."Then James lists some things that characterize a mature faith.
- "It does not mean to feel a certain way, but it will affect our feelings."
- "It does not mean to do a certain thing, but it will affect the things we do."
- "It means a radical commitment to God in which we put our lives totally and completely in His hands."
James is writing about this kind of faith. A mature faith will cause us to, "count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations."
- "Divers" is the word which we now know as 'diverse' and means many and varied. Mr. Webster defines the word as follows:
DIVERS, a. S as z. L., to turn.
1. Different; various.
Thou shalt not sow thy fields with divers seeds. Deuteronomy 21.
Nor let thy cattle gender with divers kinds. Leviticus 19.
This is now generally written diverse.
Several; sundry; more than one, but not a great number. We have divers examples of this kind. This word is not obsolete even in common discourse, and is much used in law proceedings.- "Temptations" in this context means trials and troubles.
So as we put this statement together we see that we have an admonition from James when trials and troubles come to "…count it all joy…" How do we do that? We need to develop a mindset like Christ.
Philippians 2:1-8 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
- A Christian Who is Perfect (Mature) Will Seek God's Wisdom Through Prayer. James 1:5-8 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Note that the context of the previous verses all the way through verses 5-8 is trials and tribulations. Therefore, our Scriptures are teaching us that if we are going through problems, it is not wrong to ask God for wisdom. Too often these verses are quoted out of context and used to try to get God to give us wisdom about the mundane affairs of life, but that is not proper exegesis of the word of God. When we are going through the difficulties of life, we can go to the God of all comfort and seek wisdom about those trials.
2 Corinthians 1:3-6 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
There are many reasons for the trials and troubles that beset us. If we are going to learn from these difficulties we should know the reason for them. Most of the time, God will give us insight and wisdom about these problems. However, there are some problems that are beyond our understanding. It is then that we must simply trust our God implicitly because He never makes a mistake. If you pray and there is no apparent answer, then we must accept that God is doing something special in our lives which will bring glory to His Name. And that brings us to our next set of verses.
- A Perfect, Mature, Complete Faith Will Be Content in All Circumstances. James 1:5-8 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
- This may be the most difficult for all of us. What do we want? Patience, maturity now. It takes a long time for an oak tree to mature.
- Note verse 9. Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: Be content even if you are living in poverty.
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
1 Timothy 6:6-8 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
- James 1:10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. Be content even if you are well off.
- It all passes away some day. All this material world will pass away some day.
- A Perfect Faith Will "Eschew"
(Webster = ESCHEW', v.t. To flee from; to shun; to avoid.) SIN. James 1:12-16 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren.
- At this point in the letter from James he shifts the emphasis in the meaning of the word tempted, or temptation from trials and troubles to that of lusting or sinning.
- In verse 12 we are promised "the crown of life" which is given to those of us that "love" Jesus.
- Rewards are things that we all look forward to in our lives. God promises rewards, often called "crowns", to those who are faithful stewards of what He has given us and given us to do. Those rewards (crowns) are often listed in five categories
- This one here in James is called the "crown of life.' It is also mentioned in Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. This is the crown given to those who endured trials and troubles and stayed faithful to the end.
- Another "crown" or "reward" that we could receive from our Lord is the "crown of rejoicing" spoken of in, 1 Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? This is what many call the "soul-winner's crown." It is given to those who by faithful witnessing are able to show the path of life to lost people. Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
- There is also an "incorruptible" crown found in, 1 Corinthians 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. This reward is to be given to those who control their sinful, fleshly appetites so that they may serve God more effectively. Romans 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
- Then there is a "crown" for faithful pastors and people called the "crown of righteousness" if they are faithful to the tasks that God has given them. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. Notice that within the description given here is another aspect of this crown and that is those who are looking forward to Jesus return with joyous anticipation will also receive this crown.
- This next "crown" is specifically to pastors who are willing to feed their flock faithfully and are not concerned with monetary rewards. 1 Peter 5:1-4 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. It is called the "crown of glory."
These "crowns" are rewards that God has promised to His faithful people at the judgment seat of Christ. Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
- James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: — Here we see the Problem of Temptation. Notice that God did not say "IF" you are tempted, but "WHEN" you are tempted. Temptations to do wrong or sin will come. How we handle them is up to us. 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
- James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. We are responsible for our actions, not God. If we are walking hand in hand with the Lord, He will not lead us into sin.
- James 1:15a Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin:. Note the progression found here in these two verses. Drawn away, enticed, conceived. Terms that suggest a process, a progression. Every man, woman and child is tempted to do wrong. Let's walk in the Light with God daily and trust Him to keep us on the right track.
- Verse 15b …and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Why? Because of God's eternal law – Sin brings death. – Genesis 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
- James 1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. You and I are the cause of our sin, not God. This verse applies primarily to the preceding verses in my opinion, but it could also be applied to the verses following. Don't get puffed up with pride if you have been blessed. The blessings in our lives come from God. Don't err my brethren!
- A Perfect, Mature, Complete Faith Will Honor God By Recognizing God For What He Has Done And For Who He Is. James 1:17-18 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
- Verse 17a First note that God's gifts are "good and perfect." Aren't you ecstatic that we serve a "GOOD" God and that He desires to be "good" to us? What are some "good" gifts that God has given us?
- Salvation — Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
- Righteousness — Romans 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.
- Spiritual gifts: prophecy, knowledge, faith, charity, hope, healings, tongues, interpretations, giving, hospitality, teaching, ministering, exhortation, shewing mercy, loving, and others. These gifts have been given to those of us who are in Christ. Some are no longer operative but most are still available to exercise.
- Verse 17b Secondly we note in this verse one of God's Names - "…the Father of lights,…" God's names are very descriptive of His character. This Name of God is full of meaning.
- First He uses the definitive article, "the". When used like this the article delineates that there is no other. It is the same as when Jesus uses it in John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. We need to pay attention to the English grammar of our Bible. It will keep us from drifting off into doctrinal error.
- Secondly note the capitalization of the word, "Father", reminding us that there is only one real "Father" in the spiritual world. Matthew 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. This nonsense that the Roman Catholic Church spews out calling their leader "Holy Father" is blasphemous. See my tract entitled, "Jesus And The Pope Disagree."
- Now we look at the short prepositional phrase, "…of lights." How full of meaning this makes this statement. Yes, God is "the Father of lights." Mr. Webster gives us several dozen different ways that the word light can be used.
- Now we look at the last part of verse 17, ("…with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning…") and it tells us or gives us a definition of one of God's divine attributes, "Immutability." God does not change. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. We have discussed the five (5) divine attributes of God prior to this date, but we will review them again at this time. "Repetition is the key to remembrance" someone said many years ago, and I'm sure my high school English teacher was as right then as I am now.
God has five divine attributes that we as human beings can never share. We just looked at "Immutability". What are the other four?
- Omniscience — All knowledge.
- Omnipotence — All powerful.
- Omnipresence — All present everywhere.
- Eternality — God always has been and will always be.
- Verse 18 "Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." This verse reemphasizes the basic reason why we are supposed to be different: we have been born again by the living word of God. Then it gives us one of the reasons why God saved us – we are "…a kind of firstfruits." This is one of God's unusual statements that takes us back to the Jewish roots found in the feasts of the nation of Israel. This again reminds us of the peculiar Jewish flavor of the book of James. "Firstfruits" – what does this mean?
Mr. Webster defines the word this way,
"FIRST-FRUITS, n.
- The fruit or produce first matured and collected in any season. Of these the Jews made an oblation to God, as an acknowledgment of his sovereign dominion.
- The first profits of any thing. In the church of England, the profits of every spiritual benefice for the first year.
- The first or earliest effect of any thing, in a good or bad sense; as the first-fruits of grace in the heart, or the first-fruits of vice."
In the Bible we have various "Feasts" described in several different places, but the main chapter on the "feasts" of the Lord is Leviticus 23. There we find the seven (7) main feasts of the Lord laid out for the nation of Israel to observe or keep. These "feasts" are listed on the next page:
The first month of the Jewish Religious calendar is named Nisan or Abib. (Exodus 12) Roughly corresponds to our March – April. It is the first month of Israel's 12 month religious calendar. Always started on the first new moon after the blossoming of the Almond trees in the Spring time of the year. After the exile and in the modern era the calendar months are determined in a different manner. However, the pre-exilic religious monthly calendar is as follows
Jewish month Approximate month other Scripture(s) Jewish Feasts Nisan March–April Exodus 12:2, 13:4; Deutronomy 16:1 Passover Unleavened Bread First-fruits Iyar or Zif April–May 1 Kings 6:1, 37 Sivan May–June Esther 8:9 Pentecost Tammuz June–July Ezekiel 8:14 Av July–August Elul August–September Nehemiah 6:15 Ethanim/Tishri September–October (Civil Calendar starts) Rosh-Hashanah (New Year) 1 Kings 8:2 Trumpets Atonement or Yom Kippur Tabernacles Cheshvan or Bul October–November 1 Kings 6:38 Kislev November–December Nehemiah 1:1; Zechariah 7:1 Tevet December–January Esther 2:16 Hanukkah Shevat January–February Zechariah 1:7 Adar February–March Ezra 6:15 and Esther Purim The spellings of the above words are transliterated from the Hebrew language and may not always agree in spelling with the way they are transliterated into the English language. See Nehemiah 1:1 where the word Chisleu occurs. It is the eighth month also spelled Kislev. Under the heading "Jewish Feasts" we have listed and underlined the seven primary feasts as found in Leviticus 23. In the small black letters we list three other very important feasts celebrated by the Jewish people over the centuries. Rosh-Hashanah (New Year), Chanukah or Hanukkah, and the Feast of Purim are all mentioned in the Scriptures but are not listed in Leviticus 23 where the seven primary feasts are described.
- So when James reminds us that we who are saved are "a kind of firstfruits" he is stirring the minds of those Jewish believers to remember the feasts of Israel that are found in the writings of the OT and especially in Leviticus 23. The word "firstfruits" is found 32 times in 30 verses throughout the Bible. It occurs first in Exodus 23:16 and lastly in Revelation 14:4. Note that we are "a kind of firstfruits." Jesus is "the firstfruit" while we are "a kind of firstfruits."
1 Corinthians 15:20-23 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming
A Perfect, Mature Faith Will Be In Control Of His/Her Emotions. James 1:19-20 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
- When the Holy Spirit is in control a person's emotions will not be ruling his/her decisions. Remember our chart on the three fold makeup of man. The soul consists of the mind, emotion and the will. Any person that allows their emotions to control their responses, attitudes, appetites, choices etc. is not a mature Christian. We need to learn to live our lives on the facts of God's word not the emotions of the soul. Emotions are good as long as they are controlled by the Holy Spirit Who lives within. Invariably, when the emotions rule, facts are left behind. God is never out of control. He always rules and reigns according to His word.
- This is one evidence that the Charismatic Movement is not of God. It is always characterized by a loss of control. The experience oriented movement is full of people out of control of their emotions.
- The "wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." Usually man's anger is not a controlled wrath. One man said it this way many years ago, "Uncontrolled energy is always destructive." Usually "the wrath of man" is "uncontrolled energy", and it is always destructive to oneself.
A Mature Faith Will Walk In Holiness. —James 1:21-22 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
- Note the word, "Wherefore." This word reminds us of what has been said before in verses 13 - 16 concerning the need to live a holy life. Temptation to do wrong is all around us on a daily basis. And since we are tempted to sin daily we must "…lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness…". These two words encompass a world of sinfulness in their application. The etymology of the word "filthiness" carries with it, according to Mr. Webster, the meaning of being, "Dirty; foul; unclean; nasty. Polluted; defiled by sinful practices; morally impure." You will find that same description when you search Mr. Strong for his meaning of the word. God enjoins His children to live for Him and not for this world.
- So in this verse, we are asked to lay aside wickedness and "receive with meekness the engrafted word,…" As Brother Spurgeon said so many years ago, "That word "receive" is a very instructive gospel word; it is the door through which God's grace enters to us. We are not saved by working, but by receiving; not by what we give to God, but by what God gives to us, and we receive from him. In the hearing of the word there should be a receiving of it, not into the ear only, but into the understanding, into the heart, into the conscience together with a laying-up of this good treasure in the memory and the affections. Ye must receive the word, or it cannot bless you." Think about that word. Look at what God says to us in, John 1:11-12 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Yes, there must be an acceptance of the "engrafted word." There is such a thing as a rejected graft. What happens when a body rejects the graft? The results of the graft do not produce the expected results. We see this often in the case of someone who seems to accept the "engraft word", but, bears no fruit of the Spirit in his or her lives. There are Scriptures that warn us of these "tares."
2 Peter 2:20-22 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
