Stand Firm

Just last week at the Senior High Retreat, the speaker spent four messages going through parts of James. One of the things I appreciated most was the background he gave on who James was and his mindset when it came to writing to the church in his letter. In James 1:1, he begins by identifying himself as a servant of God. The word he uses here in the Greek is doulos, literally slave or bondservant. James identifies himself completely as God’s servant. There is no part time or “when he feels like it” in following Jesus. James was wholly commited to being a servant of God. And its from this passion for God that drives his message.

Read James 1:1-18

As we read this, we begin to see James passion for following Christ. There is no middle ground in following Jesus, James is completely sold out and wants his readers to know this as well. In particular, James introduces a very clear dichotomy. On one side is joy, faith, and steadfastness (or standing firm). Reread James 1:2-12. In opposition to that is desire, temptation and sin. Reread James 1:13-18. This is what James is telling the believers. As we follow Christ, we will undoubtedly face many trials and difficulties. Situations where we are tempted to go back to the life we had before Jesus. James was calling the believers to make a radical decision to stand firm in their walks and not fall into sin when they were tempted. Not only that, but they were to see these trials as a joy rather than a burden. How often do we face following Jesus, the pursuit of Him daily, as a chore or a burden. James is saying to consider this joy!

In your own life, take a moment to identify areas where you are standing firm in your journey with Jesus. Write these down in the section below. Thank God for the grace and wisdom he’s given you to enable you to stand firm.



Now think about areas of your life where your desires have caused you to be tempted and have led to sin. Write these down in the section below.



In James 1:15 we know that “desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it has fully grown brings forth death.” Ask God to give you wisdom so that you can stand firm knowing that He is faithful to give. Ask God for grace so that areas of sin and temptation can become areas of steadfastness and victory. Let’s cling to the promise we have in James 1:2-4.
Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.