A Look at James: Part 1
NOTE: The following devotion is an exert from a research paper I wrote for a seminary course. The purpose of the assignment was to take a portion of Scripture - James 1:1-18, specifically - and interpret it within the context of the author in the first century as well as application in the 21st Century. The following is Part 1 which discusses the context of James when he wrote his letter.
The people of the first century, to whom James wrote this letter, were living in a hard and challenging time. The Roman empire controlled and oppressed the Jewish people. Prophets throughout Jewish history told stories of a coming Messiah who would save Israel and restore the nation to their rightful place as God’s chosen people. But this reality turned out to be much different than the people thought as concepts such as humility, love, forgiveness, and patience were taught by Jesus in lieu of power, control, retaliation, and freedom. The man everyone claimed to be Messiah was as low in social and economic status as the people already living in poverty. The disappointment and discouragement must have led to the first century Jews to grumble and complain just as their ancestors who wandered the desert for forty years following a similar unlikely leader and savior.
James knew the people struggled to understand why things were the way they were. The people needed to know that the trials they were facing were actually blessings in disguise to develop stronger faith and become mature Christians. Those who lacked wisdom were encouraged to ask with the faith without doubts because God would give liberally. People of this time were on one end of the social status spectrum or the other – they were either living in poverty and oppressed, or wealthy and condescending. The people of lower status lived a life full of trials, so James encouraged them to find their joy in their future reward. Wealthy people would only find true joy by living a humble and charitable lifestyle because their wealth was undependable and will not last forever.
The challenges faced by some people (possibly the wealthy in particular) were actually temptations rather than trials. Temptations are like a snare that traps its prey, and a person with weak faith will blame God before taking responsibility for their own actions. Temptation is caused by the evil of one’s own selfish desires. Without strong faith and wisdom to fight the temptation, the person will sin. Instead of a growing, strengthened faith, sin starts to grow and finally ends up with a dead faith. But God is gracious and gives gifts that are good and perfect. Trials are an opportunity for spiritual growth. He gives wisdom with a simply request. And in the end, great reward is given to those who endure the trials and love God.
