James 1:1-11, Mark 3:20, John 7:1-4
Audio of this message at the end of the text.
Have you ever been put down by others? Have you been made to feel small or inadequate? Sure. We all have. Jesus, too, experienced this.Audio of this message at the end of the text.
Mark 3:20 says Jesus was called insane by own family. John 7:1-4 tells how those close to him thought he was running for public office! This makes it clear that Jesus was completely misunderstood by many including his siblings. Those close to him didn't know who Jesus really was. The resurrection changed everything. James, the brother of Jesus, moved from making fun of his older brother to worshiping him, teaching others about him and then dying for his cause. James was completely changed by the death and resurrection of Jesus. Have you been changed by your encounter with Jesus? Have you seen the resurrection?
Here's a one-question test you can give yourself: Am I able to stay joyful when I am going through hard times? Can I stay calm when people are making fun of me? This is the instruction James gives us in verse 2. He says, "Consider it pure joy when you face trials because those trials will produce perseverance." This is a very tough test, but, it is the call of the gospel. People without the power of Christ working in their lives get angry, frustrated, bitter or depressed when they face a tough situation. How do we differentiate ourselves if we get angry, frustrated, bitter or depressed when things don't go easy for us? How can we say we are following Christ if our lives look like those who are not?
When people hurt us we tend to want to strike back. James says, that is immature. We are to take the negative situation and stand strong in it. When you do this, you get stronger. Hopefully, the things that bother you when you were 20 won't bother you when you're 40. Maturing in Christ gives you endurance and an ability to put things in perspective.
Need wisdom? Who doesn't?! Verse 5 tells us to go straight to God when we need wisdom. How do we ask God for wisdom? We read the scripture which is the textbook for living. God has given us every answer to every question life throws at us. And, guess what? When you ask God for an answer to your question, God gives it graciously without thinking less of you.
James packs power in these few verses. Got joy? Got wisdom? Got stamina in the storms of life? That's the promise of the resurrection.
