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James, Part 4

The Crown of Life

I must say a bit more about "intuitive Christianity", which I mentioned in the last paper. James refers to it when, in the beginning of his letter, he says, "Perseverance must finish its work, that you might be perfect and complete, lacking nothing". In other words, he is admonishing his readers to continue to battle the temptations of life until following the spiritual way becomes a habit. The earth-man is no longer a problem. "Lacking nothing" implies getting to the place where the answers to all earthly temptations are clear and automatic. You know intuitively what God wants you to do.

One can come to this place only by having a proper perspective on life. The world evaluates success in terms of power and possessions. But the one with a proper perspective on life recognizes that these things are transient, and in the end are unimportant. The only lasting success is to be found in one's relationship to the Creator, and one's involvement in His purposes.

James puts it this way in verses 9 and 10: "The humble should take pride in their high position, but the rich should take pride in their low position". Strange reasoning? Not at all! He is saying that the humble man should be happy that he is a Prince in the King's house, while the rich man should be happy that, in spite of his riches, he is allowed to be a servant of the King. One who truly belongs to the Lord is a Prince in God's Kingdom, and at the same time, a servant of the Most High, which is the most exalted position a mortal man can hold. Only those who resist the blandishments of this world can attain this. All else becomes empty and meaningless as the sun of life fades away.

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Verse 12 promises the "crown of life" to those who persevere. This is not just eternal life when this life is over. The "crown of life" is here and now. The one who has it lives a life of peace and joy in this world, in spite of all the problems life can bring. One who belongs to the King totally, lives the life of hope which nothing else on earth affords. If you read the headlines in the morning paper, you will recognize that "hope" is a very scarce commodity in the society of man.

Now James shows the flip side of the glorious promises in the earlier part of this chapter. He now talks to the one who does not persevere, and falls victim to temptation. His first warning is "Don't blame it on God". I am always very hesitant to thank God for specific things which I receive. Often those things, which I want and consider good, prove to be bad for me in the long run. Be careful what you blame God for giving you. At the same time, thank Him for giving you "every good and perfect gift", which James says He does.

Likewise, one should never blame God for the tragedies which befall us. Remember we live in a world cursed by sin in which we all participate. The wages of sin is death and misery. God is not to blame. Just as darkness is the absence of light, so evil is the absence of God. 

Finally, James says God cannot be tempted. This statement speaks to the very nature of God. Those who would judge God assume there is a body of truth some where which defines right and wrong, and that God is subject to it. Not so! God is the author of truth. He creates right and wrong. If God had said it was right to lie, then lying would not be wrong. The definition of good is whatever God is, or says, or does. So God is never going to lead you away from Himself. That is the opposite of what He wants. This is why James says we are never tempted of God. Temptation is the earth-man trying to persuade us to ignore God and act as our own God, as did Adam and Eve. God always holds out the invitation and the power to come to Him, but the choice is ours. 

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