August 27, 2021 (Friday)
James begins our training with the idea of trials (tests and
temptations). Possibly this echoes Jesus’ concern about the type of ground we
are when we receive “the word.” If we examine the parable in Mark 4 (Matthew 13
or Luke 8) we see a disturbing picture.
According to Jesus there are three reasons people will not
accept or continue to allow God’s word grow in their lives. First, “Satan immediately
comes and takes away the word that is sown in them.” [Mark 4 15b ESV] One way to understand this is that
Satan STEALS the word. If we knew there was a likely possibility of theft, we
would be on guard and take precautions. So, this is a matter of vigilance and diligence.
Second, “And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while;
then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word,
immediately they fall away.” [Mark
4:17 ESV] This falling away is due to external pressure. There are those who
will be pressured, bullied, and intimidated to give up their faith.
Third, “but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches
and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves
unfruitful.” [Mark 4:19 ESV] What we
observe here is internal pressures prevent fruitfulness. This requires for us
to be deceived and for us to desire things other than God. Loving God and the
things of this world is difficult. Okay, John indicates it’s not possible, “Do not love the
world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the
Father is not in him.” [1 John 2:15
ESV] This lack of fruit means we are no more than fakers and quacks.
How do we understand the threat of theft, the trouble of
pressure, or the torture of desire? (Addiction anyone?) I am glad you asked!
James gives us the first step in understanding, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God,
who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” [James 1:5 ESV] Shame is a devilish weapon we use
against ourselves. We feel shame that we do not understand, so we don’t ask.
James assures us God gives wisdom, generously. All we have to do is ask. God
doesn’t judge our lack.
Doubt is another devilish weapon we use against ourselves. This
can be seen in a lack of confidence, in wavering in making decisions, and
regret over past choices. American “philosopher” and baseball player Yogi Berra
once said, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”
James advises, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who
doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” [James
1:6 ESV] If you can’t ask God, in faith for something simple… how can you have
saving faith? Being driven and tossed by the changing and unpredictable wind
can’t be our “normal.” Think about the momentum behind a wave. This is not just
getting knocked off center; its life freaking us out of control. Its fear that
nobody is at the wheel.
A person who is not wise has not asked God for wisdom. The inability
to have faith in our asking puts us in a very bad place. James states, “For that person
must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a
double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” [James 1:7 – 8 ESV] My grandfather once taught me how to climb
over our neighbor’s barbed wire fence. The trick is to not get caught in the
middle. (In other words: don’t… the fence is there for reason.)
The image I have of James “double minded… unstable” is that
of a person with one foot on the dock and one foot in the boat, not totally
committed to either. Trust me, eventual the decision will be made for them, and
it won’t be one of the options they are wavering between. It’s the person
standing at the fork in the road, to ashamed to ask directions and doubtful of
the accuracy of any given directions.
Shame, doubt, and fear are like gravity. Without constant vigilance,
diligence, and dependence (on God) we are vulnerable.
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