We shift gears a bit in the new unit as we begin a study on faith.  Our scripture will come from the tiny, but power-filled book of James.  Most people believe that the author of this book is James, the half-brother of Jesus.  Along with Jude, author of the book of Jude, this brother of The Savior is passionate, not mincing words. These three (along with two other brothers and some sisters) all shared a mother named Mary.  James and Jude and the other siblings shared a father named Joseph of Nazareth.  Jesus was the Son of God. 

Our main focus word for the next six weeks is “faith” on display.  This week’s lesson explores having faith and displaying faith in “hard” times.  The book of James is a treatise on the importance of spiritual growth toward maturity in the faith.  A favorite Bible commentator, Warren Wiersbe, slings a fast ball with this statement:  “Too many churches are playpens for babies instead of workshops for mature adults.  Not everyone who grows OLD grows UP!”  One of the saddest things in all the world is a baby, immature, stagnant believer.  To display faith, we must HAVE faith. 

James calls himself a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.  A “bondservant” was free to go after years of faithful service to his master.  He had served all those years because he HAD to serve.  Now, he was free.  Instead of hitting the high road to freedom, this servant remained with his master because he WANTED to serve.  Earlier verses in the gospels indicate that the brothers of Jesus were not walking with Him.  The book of Acts shows us that Mary and these sons were a part of the early church, praying in the Upper Room for the promise of the Holy Spirit.  James would become a prominent leader in the church in Jerusalem.  He would align himself with the Apostles.  This brother of The Savior would also serve Him faithfully.

His letter is written to those who had been scattered from Jerusalem because of Roman persecution.  As they were “scattered” and sent out, they became living seeds planting the gospel everywhere they went.  The gospel spread quickly throughout the Roman world because of this persecution.  The Acts 1:8 command of Jesus was fulfilled by the Acts 8:1 people! 

James calls these readers “brethren” in several places in the letter.  They were beloved by James and by Jesus, the Brother of James!  Trials were in their future and were quickly becoming their present.  Joy should be the result.  Not happiness about the trials, but contentment IN the trials.  Testing of faith produces endurance:  standing firm under the load without wavering.  Endurance produces a perfect result.  This word is “tetelestai,” which was the word from Jesus on the cross which meant “finished” and done right and done well.  Complete.  Approved by God.  Jesus was. 

Spiritually mature people need the wisdom of God to continue to grow.  God is the source of all wisdom.  He is wisdom personified and wisdom verified and wisdom clarified.  The world is glad to give advice.  Advice crumbles to dust in the presence of wisdom. We are to ask in faith for wisdom.  Doubt has no place in the life of a believer. 

Walk Thru the Bible describes  David as the whole-heart king.  Solomon is the half-heart king.  Saul is the no-heart king.  James says a doubter is a double-minded, two-souled man, rickety and shaky and unstable.  The poor man as well as the rich man can both approach God in faith. Some have said James meant the “poor man” is the one without spiritual maturity and the “rich man” is the one growing toward God.  A second reading of James 1:9-11 refutes that.  However, James is not speaking of monetary issues here, but maturity. 

The person God approves is full of faith, emptied of doubt and a repository of spiritual wisdom. This person will be given the Crown of Life.  This crown is promised to those who choose to love and serve the Lord.