Live, Laugh, and Learn
James 1 talks about things we need to learn. Let’s not miss what God is saying. Let’s learn our lessons from what we experience in life.
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. James 1:1 (KJV)
James calls himself a servant. Wherever you are, even when scattered abroad, learn to share God’s Word with others. Serve, and don’t be selfish.
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; James 1:2 (KJV)
James calls us brethren, meaning we are all of the same family; the family of God. As believers in Jesus, we are all born of God and we’re family, so don’t go it alone. There is strength in numbers so stay connected.
We need to be joyful even when we face temptation. God gives us the strength to overcome. As they say, “Those who laugh last, laugh loudest.” Joy prevents the devil from having the last laugh.
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. James 1:3 (KJV)
Knowledge is power, so grow in your knowledge of who God is and what His Word says. When tested, you’ll know what to do, as well as when, where, and how to do it. You won’t be destroyed by what you go through. What you experience won’t be in vain. Use faith and patience to your advantage to obtain God’s promises.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:4 (KJV)
Let patience work for you. Be patient under trial. Let it work out of you the things that need to go so you don’t continue to make the same mistakes. Patience means you’re not short-tempered, losing your peace a lot, or having a bad attitude.
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. James 1:5-8 (KJV)
God gives wisdom to live right. His wisdom is not natural or earthly, but it gives supernatural insight. Ask God, seeking Him in prayer and communing with Him. Talk and listen to develop a close, personal, intimate relationship with God. Come alongside, as close as possible, with God. The closer we get to God, the more we’ll know what to ask of Him and how to ask it. Ask in faith, based on relationship with Him. Believe that He’ll give what you’ve asked for and don’t allow unbelief to come in.
Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: James 1:9 (KJV)
Rejoice in the Lord, knowing that God will lift you up and out of where you are. He’ll raise you up to a better place
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. James 1:10-11 (KJV)
Whatever trials we go through are temporal. They won’t last. Live life in the light of eternity and make the most of it. The rich person will die like any other, and cannot take his riches with him.
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. James 1:12 (KJV)
As we go through testings and trials in faith and in the wisdom that comes from God, we will come out more blessed than when we went in because God keeps His promises. The rewards for perseverance will be great in this ife and in the one to come.
