Know

In this section we see the most potent treatment of the concept we are calling ‘trust translated’.  James has already hinted at this concept in chapter 1 while calling for the doing of the word.  In that context James contrasted hearing with doing.  One should not simply hear the word, and be deceived into thinking that one is doing it as well.  Rather, one must hear it and do it.  It is the doer who is blessed by God.

            In this section James contrasts faith and deeds.  In the history of the Church this section has been difficult to understand, because James seems to be contradicting Paul regarding faith and works.  But this could not be further from the truth.  In fact, it is most likely that James wrote this before Paul wrote any of his letters, and rather than contradicting Paul, James is fleshing out to his people something similar to Jesus’ words in Matthew 12:36-37,

³⁶ But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.  ³⁷ For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.

            James’ words are especially important for our culture, which by and large believes that ‘faith’ is a personal matter, and that it ought not have any influence on the rest of life.  This belief is the theology of demons.  James here is arguing that mere mental grasp or assent to biblical ideas is the theology of demons.  This type of faith is not saving faith.  If it were, then all demons would be saved for they believe there is one God.

            James forges a link between faith and deeds.  Faith and deeds are distinguishable, but not separable.  The one who simply has a mental assent (‘faith’) to God will not be justified by God in the last day.  This type of faith is worthless.  Unfortunately it is this type of faith which most Americans possess.  They believe that there is one God, but that belief is not translated into life.  Simply talking about God and saying one believes in God is not the type of faith that honors God. Those who have this type of faith are deceived, and will receive the punishment of demons.

            The faith that honors God is a faith that is translated into life.  It is a faith that produces coherence between belief and action.  It is this type of faith that brings about a declaration of righteousness for a repentant prostitute.  This type of faith lives.

Do

First, examine yourself.  Does your life reflect an allegiance to Jesus in all areas of your life?  If so, be of good cheer and persevere in this faith.  But if you simply see faith as something that can be boxed up and contained, only to be let out on Sunday morning, and it does not affect your speech, your marriage, your parenting, your working, your resting, your entertainment, your sporting, your loving, then be filled with dread, and repent, because your faith is not different from that of demons.

Second, use the connection between faith and deeds as a starting point for talking to others about Jesus.  In a non-offensive manner, show them how a belief in God should transform life.  Gently show the inconsistencies between their belief in God and their life, and then lead them to see the true faith, the faith accompanied by deeds.

Third, remember Jesus’ words, “If you love me, you will obey what I have commanded” (John 14:15, NIV).

Verse 12 is the linchpin that holds vv. 2-11 and 13-15 together, and because of this connection, we have a more complete view of trials, temptation, sin, and God.  First, what James discussed in vv. 2-8 regarding trials is in keeping with what we know of God in the life of Old Testament saints.  God tested Abraham (Genesis 22), he tested Israel (Judges 2:22), and even Jesus tested Philip (John 6:6).  But while in a time of testing or trial, a subtle shift can take place in the thoughts of the believer under trial.  This shift is to see God as not only the one bringing the trial (which the Bible endorses) but also as the one doing the tempting (which the Bible condemns).

You see trial/testing is intended by God to make us mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:4).  But trial/testing is also the time when we are tempted to sin.  With financial trials, we are tempted to disobey God or doubt his provision.  With untimely or even timely death, we are tempted to abandon God.  With a difficult marriage, we are tempted to leave, forsake, cheat, etc.  With testing comes temptation.  Because James knows this he wants to be clear about God and his authority over the trial, while insisting that God is not tempting us in the trial.  In other words, God’s goal in testing is not for us to sin, but for us to mature.  If this is the case, from where then does the temptation originate?

James is clear that the temptation originates in us.  We are tempted by our own desire.  Now this is instructive for us on many levels, but there is one which I would like to highlight today.  What is the highlight?  It is that we tempt ourselves.  Read that again, we tempt ourselves!  Has it sunk in?  You see we tend to think that we are tempted by other people or things.  In other words, we tend to follow the pattern of Adam and Eve and blame something other than ourselves for our temptation and sin (Genesis 3:12-13).  But James will not let us blame-shift.  How are we tempted?  By our own desires, which lure and entice us.

While in a time of testing, then, we must remember that God is on our side, that he is good, and that he does not do the tempting.  Why did James include this bit?  It seems because he knows that one way in which we can be tempted is to think that God is against us, and that he wants us to fail.  In other words in the midst of testing we are tempted to believe that God has left us, that he planned evil for our misfortune.  But this couldn’t be farther from the truth.  Why?  Because God is holy; he cannot be tempted, nor does he tempt anyone.  God’s desires do not lead him to sin, they cannot, they will not.  In fact, it is because of God’s desire (‘he chose’ in the NIV) that we experience birth through the word of truth.  God is good, and all that he does is good.  He cannot do any other.  To think other than this is to form an idol.

If you want to persevere under trial, and receive the crown of life, then what is called for is a vigilant controlling of your own desires.  Sin and eventually death are birthed from an affair with desire.  So if you seek to persevere, you must understand and control your desires.  The testing will reveal your desires, and you will be tempted to follow those desires to get them satisfied with ungodly means.  But the desires must be kept in check, so that they do not lead to sin, but obedient living to God the Father of heavenly lights.

The Problem with the Pharisees

            The Pharisees were many things.  First, they were one of three major Jewish sects (The other two were the Sadducees and the Essenes).  Second, they were teachers of the law of Moses, and thus a major religious influence in the day.  Third, they liked the praise of men, and Jesus condemned them for it.  Fourth, and most importantly, though they were teachers of the law (they knew the Scriptures), they failed to recognize that Jesus is the Messiah, the one promised in the very Scriptures they memorized and taught.  Jesus reveals this with the first of seven “woes.”  He states, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!  You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces.  You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to” (Matthew 23:13, NIV).

            How is it that the teachers of the law and the Pharisees shut the kingdom of heaven?  First, they do not recognize who Jesus is.  He has revealed himself as the promised Messiah, and they rebel against his statements.  Not only do they rebel, but they lead others away from Jesus, and ultimately they have their hand in Jesus’ death.  These “shepherds” of the people of God, have rejected God’s Messiah, and they have led the sheep farther away from God in their rejection and rebellion against Jesus’ Messianic role.

            What does this mean for us?  First, the future kingdom of heaven promised in the Old Testament, has broken in to our present reality.  The kingdom is already here—it is inaugurated—but it is not yet consummated.  Second, the way we enter the kingdom of heaven is by aligning ourselves with who Jesus says he is.  We must agree, obey, and swear allegiance to Jesus’ rule.  Third, we must tell others of the kingdom of heaven, and the primacy of Jesus, who is the king.

There is a temptation which all Christians face, but it is faced most by those who lead.  The temptation is to love the notoriety of the Christian life.  What notoriety is there in the Christian life?  Well,  because of certain actions many can observe your life and think you are more mature than you really are.  For example, there are many people in churches across America, who break out the big Bible, who use the Christian jargon, and raise their hands in worship, while they are at the worship center.  Once they leave the worship center, then they go back to a normal godless life, not thinking much about anything Christian, until next Sunday rolls around.  Now observing such people at worship, or CE, or worldview conferences, etc., one would think they are what a Christian is supposed to be.  But truth be told, it is all for show.  There is no life, there is no conviction, there is no love for God, they simply like other people to think highly of them.

            Jesus’ words though warn against seeking exaltation in this life.  He states, “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12, NIV).  Jesus does a few things with these words of warning.  First, he is making an allusion to his life as the model for the Christian life.  Jesus was humbled and led a humble life culminating in death on a cross.  Once dead, God raised him from the dead, and gave to him the place of great honor, to sit at his right hand.  This is the model for Christian life.  Paul picks up on it in Philippians 2.  In this chapter Paul encourages the Christians to follow the example of Christ by putting others before their own interests.  This is the mark of the Christian, serving others.

            Second, Jesus warns against seeking notoriety in this life, for if you seek for man to think highly of you, then you forsake God.  In other words, one who seeks notoriety in this life, will cut themselves off from eternal life.  This is what Jesus means by “humbled.”  One day those who seek exaltation in this life, will be condemned for they did not follow the way of Jesus, who first was humbled, then exalted.