Today we’re beginning a new series in the book of James, a letter focused on what it means for Christians to truly grow up in their faith.
A bold author, Juan Carlos Ortiz, once argued that the greatest problem facing the church today is the “perpetual childhood of the believer”—sanctuaries full of people who have grown old but never grown up, remaining in spiritual kindergarten.
This immaturity creates problems in our lives, families, and churches. James, the brother of Jesus, writes to scattered and suffering Christians with a clear aim: he longs for believers to become “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” He wants people of mature character and integrity, with no weak spots.
Meeting the Author and Audience
The Author: James, the Humble Slave
Though James was the blood brother of the Savior (Jesus), a leader in the Jerusalem church, and a man of great stature, he introduces himself simply as “a bondservant” (slave) of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. He chooses the lowest title because servanthood is the highest calling in the kingdom. Even in his introduction, he models the posture of Christian maturity: humble servanthood.
The Audience: Scattered and Suffering
James writes to “the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad”—Jewish Christians scattered by persecution. These were weary, oppressed, and struggling saints who knew suffering firsthand. James’s striking message to them is this: God wants to use your trials to grow you up. You don’t have to be victims of suffering; you can be victors through it.
Turning Trials into Triumph: Four Imperatives (James 1:2-8)
James begins his teaching on maturity by taking it directly to the heart of their suffering. He gives us four commands—count, know, let, and ask—that open the door to spiritual maturity.
1. Count It All Joy (1:2)
James says “when you encounter various trials,” not if—trials are the expectation, not the exception (36:19). The surprising response to trials is to “Consider it all joy” (35:44).
This is not a call to fake a smile or enjoy the pain. It is a call to choose to see trials as opportunities, not obstacles (37:44). Like the apostles who were beaten but went away “rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for his name” (Acts 5:41), we can rejoice because we trust that God can create purpose, even in the pain (39:44).
The first step toward maturity is learning to say, “Lord, I don’t like this, but I trust you. I believe you are at work in this, and I will rejoice” (41:32).
2. Know the Purpose (1:3)
We are to act with “Knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance” (42:02). Knowledge transforms suffering from discouraging to productive, much like fire refines raw gold (42:34) or miles build an athlete’s strength (43:22).
Trials function as spiritual resistance training (44:13). The Greek word for endurance (hypomonē) is not passive resignation; it is courageous perseverance—the strength to hold firm and keep pressing forward under pressure (44:40). Knowing the purpose of trials enables us to endure because we realize the trial is often a tool God uses to grow us, not an enemy (45:51).
3. Let Patience Have Its Perfect Result (1:4)
“And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (46:45).
James is telling us: Don’t cut the process short (46:59). You can’t rush spiritual growth; maturity is a crock-pot approach (47:18). We must allow endurance to do its work and let God’s refining process unfold according to His time (47:51).
The resulting maturity—wholeness, integrity, no weak spots—is the goal of God’s work in us. When life presses, the better prayer is not “Get me out of this,” but “Lord, grow me through this trial” (47:05).
4. Ask for Wisdom (1:5-8)
James doesn’t say, “If you lack strength, ask God.” He says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God” (52:11). What we need most in trials is not an escape, but a divine perspective (52:24)—the skill of discerning God’s way in the real world.
We are encouraged by how God answers: He gives to all “generously and without reproach” (53:12). God delights in pouring out wisdom and will not scold you for asking.
However, James cautions us to ask in faith, without any doubting (53:50). A doubting heart is a divided loyalty—trying to trust God while secretly hedging one’s bets elsewhere (54:16). God honors prayers that are anchored in trust.
The Sovereign Purpose: Conformed to Christ
The ultimate goal of trials is confirmed in Romans 8:28-29: “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God… to become conformed to the image of his Son” (56:34-57:11).
The good that God has purposed for us is not our comfort, ease, or success; it is Christ-likeness (57:24). God is so committed to your spiritual maturity that He can take every trial, tear, and tragedy and bend it toward your spiritual transformation (57:39).
Just as Joseph’s pits, betrayals, and prisons prepared him for his ultimate role (58:11), what seems like a tragedy today might prove to be training tomorrow (59:22). Joseph told his brothers, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20).
This is why James calls us to joy: our sovereign God can take every trial and weave it into His good purpose of making you more like His Son (59:48).
In closing, here is our confidence:
- Trials are not wasted.
- Suffering is not meaningless.
- Hardship is not final.
Every trial you face is an invitation to grow up in Christ. The path to maturity often runs through the valley of trials, but on the other side, God’s purpose is that you will be perfect and complete, lacking nothing—conformed to the image of the Son.