For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15 NRSV.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 ESV.

Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7.

We come to our new chapter, James 1. In the notes it said it was possibly written by James, the brother of Jesus, who was also one of the leaders of the church at Jerusalem. It said it was possibly the earliest New Testament book written, dated before AD 49. James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings. Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away. Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures. This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

In the notes it said this letter was written to challenge believers to possess an active faith which will produce real changes in their conduct and character. I don’t think anyone can deny the trials within and without that come with living in this broken, fallen world. Sin, lust, anger, filthiness, wickedness, unbridled tongues speaking hurt. The challenge is in realizing what they produce in us and in our world. Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit, helps us to see. Without Him, we wouldn’t even know to be able to see. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren…Every good thing and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. As we come to know God, something essential and needed changes within us. And we long for the help only He can and does bring. His love illuminates the way forward out of the darkness. As we lack understanding, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach and it will be given to him. And therein lies the faith we need. We come to God because He is faithful and – our faith given. The world takes. Creator God provides. James wasn’t writing these things because they are easy. He wrote them to the faithful because they are hard and we need the reminders as we live in this world and encounter trials deep within our own hearts still striving, and in this world living without understanding. Loving God is not a free ticket bypassing trials. Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials…knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance…so let endurance have its perfect result…so that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing. These are not just words. They sound impossible right up until we are driven to God in deep need and find Him right here where He has always been. Loving us personally and working for the good for all of us.