James its such an interesting and concisely powerful book. In just chapter 1 he covers a lot of topics and gives important instructions and principles.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
James 1:2-5
James, Paul, Peter, and Hebrews all describe the benefits of trials and suffering. Jesus was clear tuary persecutions would be there if we follow him. Each of these writers encourages those going through the difficulty to endure because of the very positive benefits in changes in ite character.
but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
James 1:14-15
A very graphic picture of the temptation and sin process. A key takeaway is that it all begins with evil desires within us. That is what God works on and changes within us if we allow him to.
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
James 1:19-20
This is an important lesson that I've applied to parenting and leadership. My anger crushes others, not helping them. God had taught and is teaching me his better way!
But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
James 1:25 NIV
God wants us to change. He loves us too much to stay in our hurtful and destructive ways. We cannot change ourselves and God will not force changes on us. God begins the work by setting us free to do right and giving us strength and the will to change. We must then ask God for help and make choices to follow him. God then does the work of changing us on the inside. It is a partnership of change that begins and ends with God's work but requires our participation as well.
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