DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS
James 1:1-18
(01/11 or 01/24)
Wednesday of the Thirty-first Week after Pentecost
Coping with Trials: James 1:1-18, especially vs. 2: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into
various trials.” The first-century brethren to whom the Apostle James wrote
were being tested for their commitment to the Lord Jesus, concerning the wisdom
of the Faith, by loss of comforts, and with conscience-threatening loss of peace. As the Saint warns, these ‘perasmos,’ or ‘trials,’ often come with
personal suffering. In the language
of the Church, the brethren he addressed were enduring as
‘confessors’ rather than as ‘martyrs.’ Let us note that, given today’s
negativity toward Christianity and the aggressiveness of contemporary
secularism, our situation may often be similar to that of our forebears in
faith to whom the Apostle James wrote.
The Apostle is counseling us, for our faith is being
tested. On television, radio, and
in magazines, in the class rooms of colleges, secondary and elementary schools,
the predominant message bombarding us is a materialist and godless
outlook. Scant allowance is made
for spiritual truth, the sacred, miracles, asceticism, chastity, traditional
morality, or worship. Worst of all,
spiritual categories are treated as non-existent, unimportant, and as worthy of
ridicule. Let us wake up! Our faith is being repudiated,
undermined, and brushed aside!
Patience is necessary for facing this assault on the Holy. Hear Saint James: “...let patience
have its perfect work, that, before God we may be perfect and complete, lacking
nothing” (vs. 4).
Above all, do not underestimate the worldly learning and
skills of those who oppose the Faith.
They ride the crest of a wave that triumphantly upholds what is popular
and broadly taught and accepted. If
we should feel incapable of answering, or think we lack wisdom, then heed Saint
James’ counsel: “...ask of God, Who gives to all liberally and
without reproach, and it will be given to [you]” (vs. 5). Stand before the Holy Icons, read the
Scriptures, soak in the hymns and prayers of the Liturgy; let these uphold our
commitment to God so that we do not become like one “who doubts” or
“...like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind” (vs.
6). To accept the worldly outlook
can only make us “double minded” and “unstable” in our
ways (vs. 8), and, as the Apostle says, we will not “...receive anything
from the Lord” (vs. 7).
In success-driven culture, if you are poor in wealth and
status, look to Jesus Christ Who was poor, and “...glory in [your]
exaltation...” with Him before God the Father (vs. 9). If we are wealthy by this world’s
standards, then let us realize how fleeting, how uncertain and fragile, riches
are. In the “burning
heat” of the market place, financial worth and status wither like the
grass, fall like flowers, and perish.
Yes, “...the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits”
(vs. 11). Labor
for that which lasts into eternity.
Endure temptation, be approved of God, and you “...will receive
the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (vs.
12).
In our struggles, let us not blame God, but accept the
truth that, if we are drawn away by our “...own desires and enticed...”
(vs. 14) or by whatever “...gives birth to sin...” (vs. 15), we can
embrace full-blown sin that “...brings forth death” (vs. 15). The worst outcome is to be captured by
this world's assumptions and thinking.
These are deadly, even if they sound ‘plausible.’ “Every good gift and every perfect
gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights...” (vs. 17 ). Flux, change, fad, and the ‘hot deals’ of a moment come
from the materialist's lies.
Let us attend the Apostle!
With God “...there is no variation or shadow of turning”
(vs. 17). Like a mother, He gave us
birth to “...be a kind of firstfruits of His
creatures” (vs. 18) - to be an entirely new genre of humanity. Do not turn back from this gift of our
Father in heaven. Hold your head high
and keep His name holy.
Show me to be a dwelling-place of Thy Spirit; and in no
wise the dwelling-place of sin.
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