Bible Baptist Church

Famous people like the Reformer Martin Luther struggled with the book of James. James' book is a rare book of the New Testament, because James did not set out to write another gospel presentation. He wrote to encourage people who had already placed his or her faith in Jesus Christ, and how they could live a faithful Christian life.

Not only were the believers dealing with the persecution coming from the Jews who rejected Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah they also had to deal with the Roman government. At this time, Rome had looked at the Caesars as deity, and when the Christians refused to worship the current Caesar they often faced various persecutions in various forms. Much of the persecutions depending on the region, but it was spreading across the Roman Empire.

* Some were crucified
* Some were thrown to wild animals
* Some were arrested and separated from their families

James as the pastor of the church in Jerusalem shepherded many from a distance. Many had to leave their precious home and city to find safer places to live. This is why James opens his book the way he does.

We cannot confuse which James wrote this book. This is not James the son of Zebedee—he was already martyred early on (Acts 12). This James is the half-brother of Jesus, a man who grew up with Jesus, rejected Him at first, but later believed after the resurrection and became a pillar of the Jerusalem church. After Jesus' birth Joseph and Mary had other children (cf. Matthew 1:25; Mark 6:3). Two of those children would write books that are included in the New Testament:

1. James
2. Jude

James is a great shepherd of his church, even when many of his people have had to move away. He writes a letter to instruct his church to remain faithful in difficult times. I think we can say it as there is no avoidance to the School of Hard knocks. What if we began to think about trials as the classroom where God grows His people? Could this change the way we look at our trials? Trials can come in different forms:

* Personal
* Home
* Family

What does it mean that none of us can avoid the School of Hard Knocks? James is teaching that trials are not an option, but are inevitable. With this truth we can learn from God's classroom of hard knocks:

1. Hard knocks of living various trials (vs. 1:2)

* Trials are opportunities to grow
* Trials are not meant to fake it until you make it
* Trials led to spiritual steadfastness

2. Hard knocks of developing steadfast (vs. 1:3, 4)

* Requires an active response - you will let patience have her perfect
work rather than simply suffering through it

3. Hard knocks of who I am going to trust (vs. 1:5-8)

* This can refer to my way or God's way
* This can refer to my faith or doubts
* You can allow your troubles to guide you or the LORD, but it is your
choice

James is writing to people who have possibly lost their homes, friends and family members. Yet, what they have not lost is their identity in Jesus Christ. Yes, everyone attends the School of Hard Knocks, but those hard knocks do not have to define us. What will define us is the faith, trust and obedience we place in the LORD during these trials. This is why James says to "count it all joy." You have this opportunity in front of you and the question is what are you going to do with it.

* You are facing a marriage that is on the rocks when you assumed it was
going to be a fairy tale
* You are facing a relationship that cannot seem to find the same page
* You are facing medical news that came out of nowhere
* You are facing a death that has shattered your world

Let me pray for you. "Dear LORD, in Your precious and holy name I ask that You help each person listening to trust You fully in their personal trials. Some are hanging on by a thread while others are just beginning their trial. Whatever the case I pray in Jesus' name that You will be the clear identifying mark and the people will seize their opportunity to receive the wisdom You have promised in Your Word to become more like Jesus in these trials. Amen."