What or who is getting our attention instead of God? Our faith is what motivates us to learn and when we have faith it should be seen by how we glorify God. Is our relationship a relationship or is it us needing things with the expectation of getting something in return? What I love about what God has done with sending Jesus is the fact that it is already done. He can’t keep sending Him. When we believe are we accepting this fact and learning to live like Him?
Verse 5 says, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you.” We ask because we believe and we believe because we love Him. Our sins are washed away and when we have faith we act on what we believe. We are not the same person after we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, we are new and our relationship should begin. One thing that we forget is that in our new lives we are free, but that freedom is from sin. Jesus covered our past, present, and future but as new creations longing for a relationship with Him we seek and grow, ask and change and we know that our lives become His.
James starts out in chapter 1 verse 1 with an introduction, “This letter is from James, a slave of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ…” We are slaves to Christ in our new lives and we should seek wisdom with undivided passion. The world can’t give us anything of worth so believe and study so our lives will be transformed and people don’t hear us they see us living differently. Verse 2 says, “Dear brothers and sisters, when trouble comes your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” Our joy comes from knowing we have eternal life in Christ and God will continue to show us that love when we open our hearts.
Verse 3 says, “For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” It is so important that our faith grows so we can shine that light God has given us to make disciples of all people. Finally look at verse 4 which says, “So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” We won’t be sinners saved by grace, we will be family loved and changed from our heart to our actions.
As I studied the book of James and why it was written I saw this and it made me thank God for His love. I accepted Jesus at 37 years of age and it is never too late for anyone until they are no longer breathing so let’s learn, grow and go out and help people see Christ in us. Warren Wiersbe writes this about James, “James writes to us as someone who joined late but was determined to make sure others realized the value and importance of living out their faith in Christ with integrity. He didn’t have time for hypocrisy, and he was convinced God didn’t have time for it either.” Pray and ask God for wisdom and live so people see it. Amen