Daily Scripture Reading James 1:1-25

Many people envision Jesus as being a friend or a peer. While they acknowledge Jesus is more powerful, they also have the concept that Jesus is a buddy with Whom they can hang out and have a casual, laid back relationship. They envision going to heaven someday and greeting Jesus like a long lost friend.

Today, we are going to start reading through the book of James. In the very first verse, James used a word that gives a very different perspective on the relationship between Christians and Jesus.

James 1:1 ¶ James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, ¶ To the twelve tribes who are in the Dispersion: Greetings.

The name “James” tells us who wrote this book. There were several men in the New Testament who had the name James. Two of the disciples were named James and Jesus had a brother named James. The Bible does not state which of those men wrote the book of James.

Note the word “slave”. James identified himself as a slave of Jesus. Many people today have the concept that Jesus is a friend or buddy with Whom we can hang out. However, slaves do not hang out with their masters, they serve their masters. First and foremost, we are servants of Jesus.

This book was written to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion. The twelve tribes refers to the Jews. The Dispersion refers to the Jews living outside the Holy Land.

James 1:2 ¶ Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials,

James 1:3 knowing that the testing of your faith brings about perseverance.

Verses 2 and 3 are counterintuitive. Most people complain when they encounter trials. However, James tells us to be joyful because trials make us better people. They build our perseverance and make us stronger.

James 1:4 And let perseverance have its perfect work, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:5 ¶ But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Before I talk about the need to pray, let’s think about the value of wisdom. Modern society does not value wisdom. Wisdom is not something people are encouraged to gain. Modern society is much more focused on being entertained which often means turning off the mind and eschewing thought. However, James wrote from the perspective that being wise is a good thing.

James stated that the first step in gaining wisdom is to ask God for it. It is easy for humans to fall into the mindset of thinking the first step in gaining something is to work for it. It is true we should put forth effort to gain anything we want. However, we should not overlook prayer and the simple act of asking God to give us the desires of our heart.

James 1:6 But he must ask in faith, doubting nothing, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.

This verse communicates the importance in believing that God can provide what we want. Having faith does not mean God will always say yes and give us what we want. Having faith means believing God can do anything if He chooses to do so.

James 1:7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,

James 1:8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

If we ask God for faith, but doubt that God can give us faith, then we should not expect to receive faith.

James 1:9 ¶ But the brother of humble circumstances is to boast in his high position;

First, notice the word “brother”. This sentence is addressed to Christians. Second, the words “humble circumstances” denote a person without wealth. Third, the words “high position” allude to our eternal destiny which will be spent in heaven with Jesus.

Many Christians who are not rich get so wrapped up in living daily life and focusing on what they don’t have, that they forget to be thankful for what they will have after life on earth. All Christians of modest means should boast that they are believers and will spend eternity in heaven, meaning their eternal destiny is far greater than their earthly status.

James 1:10 and the rich man is to boast in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away.

Modern society puts so much emphasis on money and possessions that rich people are often inclined to think they are better than those who are not rich. However, rich men should always remember that they will die just like any other man.

James 1:11 For the sun rises with a scorching heat and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.

James 1:12 ¶ Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.

James 1:14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.

James 1:15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully matured, it brings forth death.

James 1:16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.

James 1:17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

James 1:18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.

James 1:19 ¶ Know this, my beloved brothers. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;

It is common for people to read this verse and focus on being slow to anger, but this verse actually has three commands. We are also supposed to be quick to listen and slow to speak.

It takes work and effort to obey these commands because they are the opposite of how we are born. Children are naturally self-centered. This means they aren’t interested in what other people have to say, but they quickly demand the right to be heard, and they get angry when they don’t get their way. As Christians we need to put forth effort to listen first, speak after we have listened and only if we have something beneficial to say, and get angry only when there is a justifiable reason to be angry.

Be aware that this verse does not say we should never get angry, it says we should be slow to get angry.

James 1:20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

James 1:21 Therefore, laying aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in gentleness receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

James 1:22 But become doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

Take note of the command in this verse: “become doers of the word”.

In verse one James identified himself as a slave of Jesus. Slaves obey their masters. The Bible, which is the Word of God, tells us what Jesus our master expects us to do. Therefore, we must obey the Bible, not merely read it.

James 1:23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror;

James 1:24 for once he looked at himself and has gone away, he immediately forgot what kind of person he was.

James 1:25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of freedom, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in what he does.

The blessed man is the one who does what the word says.

There is a mentality within Christianity that views Jesus as a buddy with Whom we can have a casual friendship. However, James called himself a slave of Jesus. A slave is not a peer of their master, nor are humans peers of Jesus.

Up to now, what has been your concept of your relationship with Jesus?

Do you view Him as a friend with Whom you socialize, or a Master Whom you must obey?

In light of the fact that James called himself a servant of Jesus and emphasized the need to obey the word, how do you need to change your view of Jesus and your response to what is written in the Bible?

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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”