The Right Perspective
James 1:9-18
Introduction
Illus...
A few years ago my neighbor was going to sell his house and move to a larger house with more land. He and his wife were very excited in the beginning and even put down a very large deposit. They kept their house because they needed a place to live while the newer house was being built. If all else failed, he could rent it and not lose anything.
He loved to go to the work site. He watch as the land was cleared, plumbing and electrical appeared from the ground, and the foundation was poured.
As many of you may know, the next phase was the "framing". Soon the two by sixes were being put up. It was going to be a strong house with that dimension of lumber. He began to notice something he didn’t like; the measurements were off, some by one inch, others by as much as four inches. The supervisor’s comment was, "you won’t notice it once the drywall is taped and textured".
No matter how much he asked, they wouldn’t correct it. After his final plea from the owners themselves he refused to purchase the house. Of course he lost all of his deposit, a year’s salary to most of us, but he refused to buy his and his wife’s dream house if the frame was crooked.
Why would he do such a thing? Because he knew the framing was almost as important as the foundation. Anything that he wanted to hang in the future would be a risk because the framing varied throughout the house.
1. Framed By His Word
As believers, we start with a solid foundation in Christ, but how many Christians do you know that seem to live life on a roller coaster? Unfortunately, I know quite a few. James reveals to us the solution to this problem. The solution is to frame your life according to the Word of God.
We have promises in scripture about trials and troubles. Why do I mention trials, because most believers "freak" when life goes crazy with problems.
We looked at how to begin framing our life last week in James 1:2-6. We have a written assurance from our Lord that it’s not all for nothing but that He is at work in everything that happens, even problems. It says,
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
This assurance is also found in Romans 8:28. It says,
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Again we are assured by His word that ALL things (including the trials) God works for good. Our outlook on life is through this "frame". No wonder we can be joyful and worry free. We know in whatever, the Lord works it all to our benefit.
I am sure you have met people and believers whose lives seem to be in constant turmoil. James says that the immature Christian (one who is not trust in God’s word) is like a ship tossed on the waters by the wind.
The one who trusts in the Lord doesn’t go up and down constantly because they have the frame of mind and heart according to His word.
2. Humility Required - v. 9
The next step in acquiring the proper "frame" is a spirit that is humble. The biblical definition of humility is to simply see yourself through the eyes of God and His word. God is God and we are not.
We realize that no matter who we are we are all in the same boat. All of us are lost and in need of a savior. None of us has got anything "under control". As a matter of fact we learn in humility that we have no control or say in much of life except how and who we will respond to, in other words, choice. James 1:9-11 says,
The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.
When you "ain’t got nuttin or no one but Jesus", He’s all you have in life. Everything else gets in the way of the relationship with Him. Or, worse yet, the wealth, riches, or power will be your Savior in tough spots when you need a way out. Also, it will all pass away anyway.
If Jesus is all you have to turn to, then He will be your answer. Remember, God is God, we are not. Trust in Him to know and be Lord over you.
3. Perseverance v. 6-8, 12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
The believer will persevere. He will not be blown off course. He will not doubt but instead put his trust in hope in what the Lord says in His word. But how do I know I will persevere? The Bible says, "The saints will persevere."
It almost seems by this verse that we can "lose" our salvation. Let me say, this is not the case. First, you never "had" your salvation. You did nothing to earn salvation it is a gift of God. Second, you don’t have Jesus, Jesus has you. You are in His hand and He is in the Father. No one can break the hold that the Lord has on you. Lastly, you receive "everlasting life" not "temporary" everlasting life. If you have received Jesus by the Spirits wooing and power, then you are saved from that point on. You will persevere. Rms 5:1-11, 8:37-39
4. Temptation v. 13-15
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Illus.....
New York Post - June 9, 2007 -- The devil may have made him do it, but it was Jesus who made him confess.
An Arizona man shocked cops in the East Village this week by walking into the local precinct and announcing that he’d strangled a woman on East 13th Street during an argument in 2004 - and that Jesus Christ wanted him to turn himself in.
Authorities said the confession has solved the previously cold-case murder of Myrna Gonzales, a 45-year-old homeless woman whose body was found folded into a large steamer trunk in a vacant lot at East 13th Street and Third Avenue.
"We wish Jesus would solve more of these," one law enforcement source said.
Michael Mohr, 51, might have gotten away with the slaying. But he’d recently had a religious conversion, and realized Jesus wanted him to do the right thing.
Gonzales’ body was found June 6, 2004, in a vacant lot outside Mohr’s building.
"He was relieved," said one law enforcement source. "He was a little emotional. He was just glad to get it off his chest."
The common phrase, "the devil made me do it" in this story is not accurate when it comes to the believer’s life. He cannot "make the believer do anything.
The Lord will not tempt you. He will draw you to a relationship in Christ by the Holy Spirit and He might even put obstacles ion your way to stop you from doing something you would regret but, He will not tempt you to do wrong.
Once you become a believer the devil and his minions have no influence over you whatsoever. You will be tempted but in Christ you have been given the power to say not to sin and temptation.
The only one in your life that can say yes to temptation is you. The more accurate statement for the believer is "I made myself do it." Does the Lord allow situations to enter our life that may seem difficult and trying? The answer is yes. All our trials are for the purpose of making us more mature not to fail.
5. Right Perspective on Blessings v. 16-18
Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
Everything good comes from God.
There is no one else who can. The devil and his horde cannot give good. We are born into sin so ultimately we cannot give good. Who’s left? The Lord God is the only one who could or can give good and only after we are redeemed by the great and merciful gift of His Son can we ourselves give good. So ultimately, ALL good comes from the Lord.
All of His good is summed up in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are privileged to receive the ultimate "good and perfect" gift who is Jesus Christ. But we must be willing to receive the gift by saying yes to Him.
Invitation
