James 1:1-11 “Joy in Trials”

We begin a new sermon series on the Letter of James. Please note that most of the time when we are in the part of the bible called “The Epistles,” that is “The Letters,” the document is titled by the receiver of the letter. We do see some exceptions, and this is one of them. This book of the bible is not written TO James but rather FROM James. That being said, I like to read this as if James is perhaps writing a letter to himself. When he talks about having faith, it seems self-assuring.

James was such a common name in those days, “Iakob” in Hebrew and Greek, that we have some confusion about which James wrote this letter. I do like the supposition that it was written by James the brother of Jesus. In this way, I follow the Calvinist, Congregational, traditions. If you were listening to a Lutheran pastor this morning, you might hear a different argument. Luther did not care for this letter, saying that it was made of “straw.” This would have been a reference to the kind of paper it was written on. To be sure, the letter was written on quality parchment that is kept in the Vatican archives! It is a valued document that is dated back to the time just before the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 69-70 AD–this by the historian Eusebius, whom I mentioned last week in the Easter sermon.

James the brother of Jesus is the writer. We know that Jesus had brothers and sister. That is clear from the Gospels. After Jesus was born, more siblings came along. Can you imagine being the brother of the Son of God? This causes me to think about my own twin brother. What if it turned out that he be the messiah? Jared’s brother Justin is visiting Kauai, what if he learned that his brother were God incarnate?

I would like you to notice that despite James being the brother of Jesus, he starts his letter by saying that he is the “servant,” “bondservant,” or “slave” of Jesus. Different bibles translate the Greek δουλος with different words because we really do not have a good English equivalent today. Slaves were considered part of the family, though lesser parts. So, James calling himself δουλος does not negate the idea that he is the true brother of Jesus. He just knows that his older brother is “Lord”; hence, he must be a servant or slave.

In the same greeting, we read that this letter is written to the Twelve Tribes of the diaspora. These are the twelve tribes of Israel. Sooooo, why is this not written in Hebrew or Aramaic? Some have argued that this could not have been written by James because the Greek is too good. What an insult to Jesus’ Family, right? Back then, very few people spoke Hebrew besides the priests. Aramaic, which is basically Syrian, was spoken in the North, but it has so many different dialects. Greek on the other hand was the language of commerce and education ever since Alexander the Great conquered that part of the world. And, God could easily give James the brother of Jesus the ability to write a decent Greek letter.

James could have asked for help in writing it too. We know that Saint Paul had many different scribes, so we can assume that Saint James could have also had folks to write for him.

In verse one, still we read the very subject of the letter. The word at the end of the verse is “Greetings.” The word in the Greek is χαίειν and is still used in greeting one another in Greece today. It is the word for “rejoice,” “have joy,” and “be glad.” James is writing this letter in order to share joy with others–not just “greetings” as it were.

Following up on this idea in verse two is the repeat of this word right afterwards. The word order is screwed up and backwards in the English from what the actual letter says: “It has become utter joy” it should read at the very beginning of the verse. James lifts up this idea twice repetitiously so as to emphasize and make clear that this is his intent for writing this letter.

In fact, James tells us that we are to have this “joyful joy” in times of trials. I share with you the case of my life that I have on occasion been accused of smiling too much or being inappropriately joyous. I almost get away with being happy and joyous here in Hawaii, but I tell you that it does not fly at all in Europe, especially Germany. I have been asked way too many times in Germany “Wieso laechets du immer?” “Why are you always smiling?” I usually respond with “Because I am an idiot.” Did you know that in most of the world, one is supposed to not be too happy? We are supposed to be miserable and dower looking Christians! Show how stoic you are with pride! That is not what the bible says! James is telling us just the opposite, when the world gives you lemons. . . make lemonade or lemon chiffon pie. Or at least squeeze the lemon into a good Mexican glass of beer!

Take James’ greeting to heart. Have that kind of quiet joy as a Christian that makes others wonder what is your secret. Remember the Beatitudes that Jesus spoke: Happy are the meek for they shall inherit. You can read these in Matthew 5. Be happy, have joy, and let the world see that your joy comes from God.

Especially in times of trial we must have joy. From the prayer that Jesus taught us we know that we will be delivered from evil. The kingdom and the power and the glory are God’s already. When we smile at adversity, I believe God is smiling down over our lives.

The next part of the scripture I find to be fascinating. I love this part. James goes on to admonish us that if we need wisdom, then we merely need to ask God for it. WE read the assurance then that God will give us that wisdom without reproach. Our bibles in the pews says “unbegrudgingly.” No. it really says “without reproach.” The King James’ Version says “without reproach.”

God is not going to reproach you, call you stupid for not knowing something! With the wisdom of God coming to you through an active prayer and study life, you will have a wisdom that is beyond reproach.

Hear me now: We Christian folk do not read the bible for knowledge–we read it for God’s wisdom. Any kind of knowledge you want can be summoned by artificial intelligence by that device in your pocket. The wisdom of God you must seek through prayer and coming to Jesus!

At the Puakea bible study this last week when we were going through this scripture, the group started talking about someone who had passed away recently. They admired this man as he was always calm and happy. The last words that he said just before his final breath were “God is good!” What a wise thing to see. It is the perfect epitaph.

Whatever you are facing in your lives today: God is good. That is the wisdom that the world needs today. God loves us. WE respond with love. We resist evil and hate. That is God’s wisdom. We are never rude and ugly–that is not according to God’s wisdom. We do not need to use profanity or threaten violence. We hold God’s joy in this world.

Let us look specifically at verse 8: “A double-minded man, unstable in all his ways, will receive nothing from the Lord.” This IS God’s wisdom coming to us through scripture. A double-minded unstable man will get nothing from God! But, we have without doubt the wisdom of God without reproach if we merely ask for it.

God, give me that wisdom today, right now. Don’t let me just come to it on my death bed with a catchy epitaph for my tombstone!

We have but one joy that is eternal that will lead us always to life rather than death. It is the joy that no one can take or steal away from us. It is the joy that allows us to pass any and every test of faith. This is the joy that leads our lives. We have come to know Jesus in our lives. We accept His grace over our lives. That is our greatest joy.

I thought I would close with words from Psalm 16:7-11 (read)

Amen.