"Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways." (James 1:9-11)
James here exhorts brethren of low degree rejoice in their exaltation, and at the same time tells the rich to rejoice in being made low. Notice here that, although he refers to him of low degree as a brother, he seemingly not refer to the rich as such. In fact, he speaks of them fading away in his ways, and likens them to withering grass. Compare this to the first six verses of James chapter 5, where James delivers a scathing denunciation to the rich (in the style of the old testament prophets). Therefore I initially had concluded that he referring to the rich tormentors of God's people, not Christians. However, a friend of mine who, unlike me, knows greek at least partly proved me wrong on the above point. It is actually probable that the above reference is to rich christians, due to the fact that the sentence can be read such that rich is an adjective with brother as its antecedent. Hence my editing of this post ... sorry guys, I was wrong.
Having said that, I would remind the reader of what Paul said to Timothy: "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy". We are not to trust in riches, for although they may give us pleasure for a moment, they will eventually be destroyed, and come to nothing. Therefore let us trust in the Living God, who richly blesses us with spiritual blessings that will never pass away.
Having said that, I would remind the reader of what Paul said to Timothy: "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy". We are not to trust in riches, for although they may give us pleasure for a moment, they will eventually be destroyed, and come to nothing. Therefore let us trust in the Living God, who richly blesses us with spiritual blessings that will never pass away.
"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." (1:12)
Here James once again turns his reader's attention to enduring temptation. He assures them that when they have been tried, they shall receive the crown of life. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death (Rev. 2:11). He that endureth to the end shall be saved (Matt 10:22).
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren.
It becomes evident now that James is talking about a different kind of temptation than the one mentioned earlier in the chapter (1:2 - 4). In those verses James spoke of our faith being tested, and here he is speaking of temptation to sin.
The first principle James would have us realize is this: God does not tempt anyone with evil, nor is he tempted with evil. Having said this, he goes on to describe what is the cause of our temptation. Every man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. Notice the words 'his own lust'. Temptations are tailored for the individual - something that may seem tempting to you may not seem tempting to me, and vice versa.
Notice something else: lust (in this case, desire) brings forth sin. The temptation itself is not sin. It is when we allow the desire to take hold of us, causing us to succumb to the temptation, that we sin. And of course, as James rightly states, sin when finished leads to death. That is not to say we lose our salvation if we fail one temptation, but we must come to the realization that sin is our enemy. We must not allow ourselves to adopt the mentality. 'how far can I go before I make God mad?' We are supposed to walk after the Spirit, and by the Spirit put to death the desires of the flesh (Romans 8:13). We must not err.
The first principle James would have us realize is this: God does not tempt anyone with evil, nor is he tempted with evil. Having said this, he goes on to describe what is the cause of our temptation. Every man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. Notice the words 'his own lust'. Temptations are tailored for the individual - something that may seem tempting to you may not seem tempting to me, and vice versa.
Notice something else: lust (in this case, desire) brings forth sin. The temptation itself is not sin. It is when we allow the desire to take hold of us, causing us to succumb to the temptation, that we sin. And of course, as James rightly states, sin when finished leads to death. That is not to say we lose our salvation if we fail one temptation, but we must come to the realization that sin is our enemy. We must not allow ourselves to adopt the mentality. 'how far can I go before I make God mad?' We are supposed to walk after the Spirit, and by the Spirit put to death the desires of the flesh (Romans 8:13). We must not err.
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