Scriptural text: James1:1-11
Tested Faith (James 1:1-4). It is to be observed that James introduces himself as a servant of God and of Christ. It is to be observed that James professes himself a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ to teach us that in all services we should have an eye to the Son as well as the Father. We cannot acceptably serve the Father, unless we are also servants of the Lord. The apostle mentions the condition to whom he writes: The twelve tribes which are scattered abroad. The suffering state of Christians in this world is represented, and that in a very instructive manner, if we attend to what is plainly and necessarily implied, together with what is fully expressed. It is implied that troubles and afflictions may be the lot of the best Christians, even of those who have the most reason to think and hope well of themselves. Such as have a title to the greatest joy may yet endure grievous afflictions. As good people are liable to be scattered, they must not think it strange if they meet with troubles. The devil endeavours by sufferings and crosses to draw men to sin and to deter them from duty, or unfit them for it; but, as our afflictions are in God’s hand, they are intended for the trial and improvement of our faith. The gold is put into the furnace, that it may be purified. These temptations may be numerous and various: Divers temptations, as the apostle speaks. Our trial may be of many and different kinds, and therefore we must put on the whole armour of God. We must be armed on every side, because temptations lie on all sides. Count it all joy, v.2.
We must not sink into a sad and disconsolate frame of mind, which would make us faint under our trials; but we must endeavour to keep our spirits dilated and enlarged. Faith is a grace that one expression supposes and another expressly requires: Knowing this, that the trial of your faith. There must be patience: The trial of faith worketh patience. The trying of one grace produces another; and the more the suffering graces of a Christian are exercised the stronger they grow.
Double-mindedness (James 1:5-8). Double minded can simply mean to be undecided. The process of making a decision is not a sin. A permanent state of indecision is. Faith-based decisions obey God’s Word, which exists to protect our hearts and help us thrive in His will for our lives. Doubt, as James recorded, fuels double-mindedness. “To call into question the truth of; to be uncertain; to lack confidence; distrust; to consider unlikely.” These are all definitions of doubt-as is fear. Christians are to be united with Christ, being like-minded. We cannot have minds like Christ and serve the world simultaneously.