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- Preaching the Living WORD through the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4:2
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HUMILITY
AND THE BLESSEDNESS IN TRIALS (James 1:9-12) 9-19-12 Grace Bible Church, Gillette,
Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert I. THE POOR HAVE A HIGH
POSITION IN TRIALS (9) A. Context 1. James
brings another aspect to trials, that being the cases of the poor (9) and the
rich believer (10-11). Trials bring cause to both of those classes to have
humility and rejoice in God. 2. James will end this section of trials
with blessing, confirmation and a future promise to the believers who
persevere to the end in their present trials (12). B. Trials of Humble Poverty 1. James
speaks of the believer (“brother”) who has trials due to poverty. “Humble
circumstances” (ho tapeino,s - low situation, position, spirit; or poverty) literally is “the one who is poor.” Depending on
this context, tapeino,s refers
to one’s lowly economical situation (Jam 1:9-11). 2. The poverty that James refers to, very
well could speak of having to leave homes and possessions due to persecution.
No doubt some of them were destitute and distraught from these trials (Pro
10:15). James attempts to implant in them a biblical perspective concerning
their trials. a) Poverty
can come from negligence and disobedience (Pro 10:4; 20:13; 21:17; 22:16) but
not always. (1) Poverty
can come from injustice (Pro 13:23). (2) Poverty can come by the oppression of the rich
(Pro 14:31; 22:16, 22; 28:15). (3) Poverty brings many woes (Pro 14:20; 18:23;
19:4, 7; 22:7; Jam 2:2-3). b) Righteousness
is exhibited in ministering to the poor. (1) Those who
are gracious to the poor are blessed (Pro 14:21; 19:17; 22:9). (2) The righteous give to the poor and are
rewarded (Pro 14:31; 28:8, 27). (3) The righteous are concerned for the rights
of the poor (Pro 29:7). C. Glory in the High Position
in Christ 1. The poor
and persecuted believers were to glory in their high position. The word
“glory” (kaucha,omai - boast, proud boasting (negative) or confidently glory in God
and His favor (positive) here means
to confidently glory in God and His favor granted in their salvation. Their
“high position” (hu,psos - height, heavenly, important rank), would refer to their position in Christ at
salvation (Eph 2:5-6). Through God’s favor even the poorest believer is: a) A child
of God (Rom 8:14-16). b) A citizen of the Kingdom (Eph 2:19; Phil
3:20; Jam 2:5). c) Rich in his inheritance in Christ (Rom
8:17-18). d) Secure in Christ (Rom 8:35-39). 2. Other
Scriptures also encourage the believer in humble circumstances to see
themselves in Christ from God’s point of view and not that of the world’s. a) The poor
need to understand true wealth (Pro 13:7). b) Better to be poor but walk in integrity
(Pro 19:1, 22; 28:6). c) The poor are in utter dependence upon God
(Psa 10:14). 3. According
to Jam 1:9, the poor are commanded to glory (imperative) in their high
position and take no other view in the midst of trials and persecution. II. THE RICH HAVE A LOW
POSITION IN TRIALS (10-11) A. Glory in the Low Position
of Mankind (10) 1. The
rich, taking this to mean wealthy believers, are to “glory” (same verb
carried over from vs. 9) in their low position. The “humiliation” (tapei,nōsis - same word as vs. 9 i.e. humble position) referred to here is that the rich, like the poor,
will pass away. 2. The rich man is no better than the
flowering (a,nthos
- flower, Eng. Anthemum, flowered plants) grass, having only a momentary splendor (cp. Mat 6:28-29). In the end, the rich are no better than the
poor for neither will live forever. Both will die and “come to pass” (pare,rchomai). B. All Men And Riches Fade
Away (11) 1. James uses
imagery of the sweltering heat of the sun (hê,lios - Eng. helium) that dries up even the most beautiful flower (11). What was once
beautiful in splendor becomes dried up compost. Such is end of the rich man
and all his wealth and business “pursuits” (porei,a - lit. journey, i.e. business undertakings) (Pro 27:24). 2. James probably took this visual truth
from Isa 40:7-9 (cp. 1Pe 1:24-25) where is states that the only thing that
endures forever is the Word of the Lord. C. Trials Reveal the Frailty
of Rich 1. The low
position of the rich is the same for all men. Because of the sinfulness of
man all men will die (Rom 5:12; 6:23). 2. It is the trials of life that reveal to
the rich that God controls everything and that riches cannot solve every
problem. Ultimately trials attempt to lead the rich to understand that riches
cannot save from the wrath to come (Pro 11:4), only Christ. Trials are the
great equalizer bringing all God’s people to their knees and into dependence
on God. 3. Various trials upon all show that the
rich and the poor are on equal footing because the Lord is the Creator of
both of them (Pro 22:2; 29:13) and demands their dependence. 4. Riches themselves can be a trial because
the rich are tempted to put their trust in their riches (Pro10:15; 18:11;
28:11) rather than God. The poor have no choice but to trust in God.
Therefore the trial and testing is for the rich to take much care in humbling
themselves in spite of their earthly riches (Jam 5:1). 5. Riches in themselves are not a sin, but the
love of money is (1Ti 6:10). Furthermore the Lord does not withhold wealth
from those who honestly earn it, keep it in its proper priority (Pro 23:4-5),
and know how to use it for the Lord (Pro 3:9-10; 28:8). However riches do not
come without sorrow and trials. III. THOSE WHO PERSEVERE
RECEIVE A CROWN OF LIFE (12) A. A final encouragement is
given by James to those going through trials. Those who persevere through
trials not only give evidence that they are true believers, but they will
also receive a “crown of life.” B. In this life true believers “persevere” (hupome,ō - remain under) under trials and remain faithful until death or
until the Lord comes for them. They remain faithful because they “love Him” (a
quality and synonym of true believers cp. Rom 8:28). C. As in the doctrine of the Perseverance of
the Saints, “perseverance does not result in salvation and eternal life, but
is itself the result and evidence of salvation and eternal life.” (MAC) D. That is the test and those who persevere have
been “approved” (dokimos - tested and approved) and are awarded the
“crown of life.” This is a crown of life and salvation to true believers who
have persevered trials, persecution, and even martyrdom (cp. Rev 2:10). They
are called “blessed” (makarios). E. Rewards (crowns) are given to a believer
for his service after being saved. They are rewarded at the Judgment Seat of
Christ and have nothing to do with salvation or punishment of sin (1Co
3:11-15). F. There are five recorded in Scripture
though they may not be completely definitive: 1. “Crown of Incorruption” (Victor’s Crown) - a crown for
those who gain victory over the sin nature (1Co 9:25). 2. “Crown of Rejoicing” (Soul
Winner’s Crown) - a crown for those who win souls by evangelism (1Th 2:19). 3. “Crown of Righteousness” (Blessed
Hope Crown) - a crown for those who love Christ’s appearing (2Ti 4:8). 4. “Crown of Glory” (Elder’s Crown) -
a crown for those who serve in church leadership (1Pe 5:1-4). 5. “Crown of Life” (Perseverance
Crown) - a crown for those endure trials, persecution, and even martyrdom
(Jam 1:12; Rev 2:10). |
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