v.1-15
1. Repeated words and the flow of thoughts
v.2-4 repeated words: Trials, testing; perfect effect...you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything
The benefit of trials to our faith
v.5-8 repeated words: ask God, ask in faith; no doubting, doubts is like..., double-minded.
How to consider it nothing but joy in the trials? In practice, during trials, we need wisdom. Ask God in faith for wisdom and do not doubt.
v.9-11 repeated words: take pride; pass away, dries up the meadow, the petal of the flower falls off, its beauty is lost, the rich person...will wither away
Example of trials- the rich person being humiliated/downfall should take pride because wealth will pass away (and what he gained from the trial will last).
(BKC) the one who is rich can be glad for his human frailty (knowing that he has “eternal glory” in Christ, 2 Cor. 4:17). Social prominence passes away, wealth withers away like a wild flower in the hot sun, and fame will fade. Hope in the eternal is evidence of believing faith
v.12 repeated words: endures, proven, will receive
The positive response to trials. The crown of life is promised. Those who receive it is not just described as passing the test, but they are called those who love God. Therefore, the secret to endure the test until the full course are not sustained by our will, but by our love to God. Do I have that? Is God my satisfaction in life? Having God will be enough for me?
v.13-15 repeated words: being tempted, no relationship between God and being tempted, tempted by our own desires; conceives...gives birth to x2
The negative responses to trials. No one to blame but our own desires.
2. Conclusion and reflection: We need to change our concept regarding the benefit of trials. Its benefit is not in our material possessions, but in our faith and joy. However, in the midst of trials, we need to learn how to navigate, which requires wisdom. Ask God and do not doubt. It will be given to us. E.g. the rich person will see what is eternal and what is not when he goes through the trial of losing his wealth. At the end those who endures will receive the crown of life. If we fail, there is no one to blame but ourselves who allow our desires to conceive and give birth to sin and death.
When I go through sickness and treatment do my endurance increase? Do I consider this a benefit or do I complain all the time?
If I dont know how to live under this sickness I can always turn to God and ask for wisdom. No doubt He will give it to me. No not be double minded.
When my health being taken away I can see what is eternal, not my well-being on earth, but my eternal hope.
If I fail, there is no one to blame, but myself who has the sinful desire to have my own way.
3. Questions
1) Do not welcome difficulties. Being worried or not happy when I was sick.
2) Endurance will be developed and I will be perfect, complete, and not deficient in anything.
3) see 2
4) in faith we do not doubt
5) true wisdom-knowing God, know how to handle trial in practice, discern others
6) our own desires. sin, death. When I sinned
7) endures to the end. Will receive the crown of life.
v.16-27
1. 3 corrections:
16 Do not be led astray, my dear brothers and sisters
r.w. giving, gift, gave us birth
Summary: The first correction or warning is to know that God gives. His giving is generous and his gift is perfect. Himself is light and He even gave us birth. Do not assume any evil intention of God towards us.
22 But be sure you live out the message and do not merely listen to it and so deceive yourselves.
r.w. message v.21, 22
Summary: The message first needed to be listen, then humbly welcomed it being implanted within us, i.e. to live it out. Do not just put away the anger and listen. That was half-way. When we listen to the message, we find out what sort of person we are v.24. However, we are forgetful and the message will not stick to us. Only when we live it out then we are humbly welcome it being implanted within us.
26 If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile.
(EBC) v. 22 the person who hears the truth but does not put it into practice is self-deceived. In v. 26 the self-deceived person is the one whose religious acts do not make a difference in the way he lives...genuine religion is a life-changing force. One’s religion, then, should be more than external; it must spring from an inner spiritual reality that expresses itself in love to others and holiness before God
2. Summary and reflection: We need constant corrections. We are wrong in not seeing God as a good Giver. We are wrong in doing things halfway and thinks that we are done. We are wrong in not practicing our faith inside and out. Only a humble and wise people will welcome these corrections. Be willing to listen and get ready to change.
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