Endure trials with calm delight.

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers (diverse) temptations (trials); Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. ^{James 1:2-4}

In calm delight, we are to persevere in the faith through the trials of life. Our testing strengthens and demonstrates that our faith is genuine. Our endurance and successful navigation of temptation and trouble reveal the quality of our faith. By being carried through challenging experiences, we come to know that we belong to the lord.  An untested faith may be no faith at all. Persistence to stay faithful to God matures our Christian character and makes us more like Christ.

Wisdom is given for endurance to the crown of life.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not (without reproach); and it shall be given him. ^{James 1:5}

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. ^{James 1:12}

God enables us to navigate life’s trials by giving wisdom to believers who ask with humility and gratitude. Here is a common theme: God enables those who submit in true faith, then showers them with blessings for their trust. Those who endure with unwavering faith will receive the “crown of life,” which is eternal life in the joy of heaven. Trials are a test of faith; trials can reveal those who are not really Christians.

All good things come from God.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. ^{James 1:17-18}

God is the consistent, reliable, and sole source of all that is good. The greatest of all the good things is salvation (regenerated, born again, begat) and then our adoption as his sons and daughters (first fruits of his creatures).

Be calm and in control.

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. ^{James 1:19-20}

Those quick to anger, who speak without wisdom, work against the righteousness of God. Be measured and in control because a quick temper works against the will of God.

 Good works are evidence of a redeemed soul.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. ^{James 1:22}

Good works are evidence of a redeemed soul. This is seen when we live by the word of God, and the things we do are a testimony to our transformed, holy nature. No one is saved by works or sacraments or observance of rituals, but the evidence of a saved soul is in what that person does. Faith without works is a dead faith.

Be unspoiled, control your tongue, and serve the unfortunate.

If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. ^{James 1:26-27}

Pious, religious people who are undisciplined in what they say reveal their faux faith. True Christians serve those in need who, by effort, love their neighbor. True Christians do not succumb to temptation, permitting themselves to be defiled and corrupted by the world. We are to be holy, set apart, and different from the souls who are content in sin, pursuing vain objectives of the world.

Show no partiality.

But if ye have respect (partiality) to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. ^{James 2:9}

James tells us it is a sin to show partiality or favoritism. When we love our neighbor, which is to serve our neighbor, we are to be impartial as to the person’s status in life. The poor, afflicted, and unappealing souls who love God are chosen to be heirs to his kingdom. We, therefore, must not show partiality to the rich, the popular, the beautiful people.

Zero tolerance for sin, Sin once and land in Hell.

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend one point, he is guilty of all. ^{James 2:10}

Man is either a sinner on his way to face the wrath of God, or he is sinless and perfect in his righteousness. If a man were to keep 99.9% of the commands of God, but failed one time to remain pure and righteous, he would then be headed to hell. No man is sinless; all men fall far short of God’s perfect standard. We have no hope unless deemed righteous by the blood of our Savior, Jesus.

Belief is not enough.

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well; the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?  ^{James 2:19-20}

Belief in every element of the good news of Jesus Christ is insufficient for salvation if one has not made Jesus the Lord of one’s life. Those who have prayed a prayer, adhered to a religion, or worked to be a good person but have not submitted to the lordship of Jesus Christ are still headed to hell. Saving faith is evidenced by our good works, and it is for that for which we have been saved, but good works do not save us. We are saved only by God’s grace.

What are good works? It is doing the right thing (righteousness) to glorify God. Our fruit, or visible righteousness, sets the Christian apart from secular man. Our good works advance the Kingdom of God and result in souls won for Christ.

What you say matters.

Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.  ^{James 3:3-10}

You can destroy your life with what you say. In a moment of foolishness, you can hurt others, ruin your reputation, and dishonor God. An undisciplined tongue is the hallmark of a fool. Discipline in what you say, along with listening and calm control, are markers of a mature Christian.

A friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. ^{James 4:4}

The natural man covets; he steals, lies, and murders to get what he lusts for.  He has no draw to the truth of the gospel of Jesus and loves the pleasures of the world. He has no fear of God and, in his unrepentant sin, is an enemy of God. To be at enmity with God is not a good place to be.

Humility is a virtue.

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. ^{James 4:6}

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. ^{James 4:10}

Submit to God with a humble heart and resist Satan. Seek God, and he will draw near to you. Be obedient and strive to maintain a holy mind and character. Be contrite and lament your sin, repent (change your direction), and empty yourself of self-reliance, pride, and selfish desires. God will then lift you out of the morass of sin and the vain enticements of the world.

Resist Satan and draw near to God.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. ^{James 4:7-8}

Be obedient to God, and resist Satan’s temptations, then Satan will depart. Those saved are given the power to overcome the enticements and lies of the devil; Satan cannot defeat those in God’s care.

Our time here is over in a flash.

Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. ^{James 4:14}

We are here on earth for such a short time. There is nothing we do on our own that endures. Live for God during your brief time here, giving him glory for your blessings and accomplishments. Boasting is a sin.

You are responsible for what you know.

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. ^{James 4:17}

Choose not to do what you know is right, and you are in sin. Inaction can be as impactful as action. Do what is right in the eyes of God.

The danger of wealth and ease.

Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. ^{James 5:1}

Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and have been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. James 5:5

The misuse of financial blessings will bring misery and woe. Those who hoard, cheat others, and indulgently wallow in wanton pleasure will suffer as they are headed to slaughter. A mark of true faith is stewardship of resources, using them for good and not amassing and wasting resources on worldly desires.

Jesus will return very soon.

Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. ^{James 5:8}

Be patient in your endurance of trials because Jesus is coming soon. Be ready, don’t be surprised in your old self (worldly behavior) because the “judge standeth before the door.”

The prayers of the righteous are effective.

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. ^{James 5:16}

When you suffer, pray for God to lift you, comfort you, establish and heal you. When others are in pain, trouble, or headed in the wrong direction, pray for God to intercede. Seek those rooted in the faith to pray with and for you. The impact of vehement prayer is effective, sometimes astoundingly so, when in concert with God’s will. God hears and answers prayer all the time; it is confirmation that we do not believe in vain.