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Persecution for the right cause is always a reason to rejoice.īut this doesn’t mean we should search out persecution not at all.
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Jesus said, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account, Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12). But James and Peter didn’t make this stuff up on their own they were repeating what Jesus had taught them. Peter writes, “Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed” (I Peter 3:13-14). In Acts 5:40-41 we read this, “and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name.” The apostles rejoiced that they were persecuted for preaching in the name of Jesus.Ĭertainly, they found joy because of what the persecution provided for them - steadfastness in their faith - but they also found joy in the fact that they were persecuted for the right reason.
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I think this is the point where I’m supposed to say that James wasn’t telling them to find joy in the actual persecution itself, but I’m not so sure that would be accurate. Even so, James still began his letter by saying, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” The life of tradition and ritual that had defined these Jewish believers in Jerusalem was taken from them. But many of these synagogues had heard about them and, as often happened to Paul, would have been antagonistic towards them, possibly even forbidding them to enter the synagogue. When they fled Jerusalem, one of the first things they would have done was to locate a synagogue. But I suggest that not many of us are shunned and castigated by those with whom we once had the closest camaraderie like the early believers. We might even have family members who don’t approve of or understand our beliefs. We might be mocked a little at work because we go to church or because we pray. The modern reader most likely doesn’t understand this sort of persecution. The believers were questioned as to whether they were discarding the laws of Moses, frequently persecuted because of false perceptions surrounding their newfound faith, and oppressed in every other facet of their lives. The early Jewish believers did not leave persecution behind in Jerusalem the book of Acts reminds us of the constant conflict they experienced (Acts 6:1, 9 9:23 11:2 13:45, 50 14:2, 19 15:1, 5 17:5, 13 18:6, 12 19:9 21 23). James wrote to address life’s harsh realities and bring practical advice to all believers living away from their true home. Even the hope for future heavenly joys can be dashed when we encounter present earthly troubles. He wrote, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds” (James 1:2). While the recipients of James’s letter may have longed for home upon first hearing its opening words, James’s next words would have quickly brought them back to earth. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
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But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Wisdom in the book of james full#
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.