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Snapshots of a STEADFAST FAITH: What to Do…and What Not to Do Part One Hello friends! I am pretty excited to continue our exploration of James 1! This literally thrills my soul! During my first in-depth study of James, I began to see what I call “snapshots” throughout the first chapter. I was overwhelmed by seeing one ‘word-picture’ after another. It was so exciting, but I wasn’t sure what to make of it all. What did it all mean? My brain was beginning to hurt a little, so I decided to take a break, pray, and wait. It was just a few minutes later that I “got it!” It suddenly made perfect sense! (Thank you, Holy Spirit!) I discovered that James has offered us some very concrete word pictures that illustrate what Steadfast Faith looks like in everyday life . He has also balanced this with other snapshots that are depictions of a faltering faith. Through this stark contrast, James has instructed us in what to do…AND…what not to do! Let’s take a look at the following verses from James 1 and the pictures they evoke in our minds. First we will explore the verses and snapshots about a faith that follows through - Steadfast Faith. Then in my next blog post, we will examine the verses about a faith that falters. Six Snapshots of a Faith that Follows Through: WHAT TO DO Snapshot #1: Running a Race, and Crossing the Finish Line Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12 In English, this verse does not automatically evoke images of a runner of a race who perseveres until the end. However, the meaning of the word “crown” gives us some very meaningful insight. There are various types of crowns mentioned in Scripture, but the specific type of crown mentioned by James is a wreath or garland awarded to the winner of a game or sport. So this is the imagery of an athlete, a runner perhaps. I’m picturing a marathon runner who perseveres until the very end. This is very consistent with other passages in the New Testament. Hebrews 12:1-3 teaches us to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us,” which will require endurance. Similarly, in Acts 20:22-24 Paul declares that his only aim was to “finish the race” God had called him to run. Both Philippians 3:12-14 and 2 Timothy 4:5-8 concur that when believers press on, strain toward what lies ahead, and endure hardship to finish the race - there is a prize, a crown. Simply for keeping the faith to the end. Snapshot #2: Staying the Course, and Not Changing Paths Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. James 1:17 The images depicted in this verse relate to astronomy. The “lights” James mentions here are heavenly bodies, like stars - including our sun - that constantly emit light. We would never expect the sun to stop shining for any period of time. Other heavenly bodies - such as the planets - follow predictable orbits that never change. They never shift off-course nor vary in the path they take. They stay the course - never turning to the left or the right. There is no veering off the course marked out for them by their Creator, the Father of Heavenly Lights. Similarly, the runners in a race mentioned above can only finish the race marked out for them by remaining on the correct path. We are given this word-picture to encourage us to remain on the path of faith and obedience even when we encounter the most rugged terrain. Snapshot #3: Staying Close to Somebody But one who has looked intently at the perfect law, the law of freedom, and has continued in it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an active doer, this person will be blessed in what he does. James 1:25 In order to see this word-picture, let's focus on the word “ has continued .” This word means to remain close to someone. Isn’t that a beautiful snapshot!? I can’t help but think of an elderly couple who has stayed the course and are nearing the finish line…together, hand in hand. This is a picture of abiding and continuing to stay close together. It is not wandering off or being out of reach. It’s not short-lived, because it is permanent and steadfast. It continues to be near. It’s fellowship forever. In this case, the eternal fellowship and intimacy is between the believer and God’s Word. I don’t know about you, but I love to just sit and marvel at the fact that the only two eternal things on this earth are: God’s Word and the souls of (wo)men! Zechariah 1:6 mentions that there are times God’s Word “overtakes” people. May it be so with us, friends! May God’s Word abide in the depths of your soul! Hold tight to the Truth, and let it guide you on your journey of steadfast faith! Snapshot #4: The Imagery of Conceiving, Growing, and Giving Birth In the exercise of His will He gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures. James 1:18 No one is to say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death. James 1:13-15 As a mother of four, the image these passages bring to mind is an ultrasound picture. The ultrasound helps us see that a child has been conceived and whether or not the baby is growing as expected month after month. Then eventually there are those precious pictures of the infant once it has been born. In James 1, James is actually making a very elaborate appeal for believers to birth a life driven by genuine faith - evidenced by a life of perseverance. Once conceived, this faith may start so small, but over time this newborn faith grows and becomes a visible, tangible sign of new life in Christ. Snapshot #5: Bearing Fruit Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. In the exercise of His will He gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures…Therefore, ridding yourselves of all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. James 1:17-18, 21 Notice the imagery of bearing fruit in these verses! First fruits are just the beginning of a harvest. Once the first fruits appear there is assurance of more fruit to come! Because of the first batch of harvested fruit, there is reason to believe the a greater is harvest will continue to cultivate over time. James has been making it clear throughout this chapter - and we will continue to see this in coming chapters - that steadfastness is a significant type of fruit born out of genuine faith. Perseverance and endurance are the greater harvest of the first fruits of authentic faith in Christ. Snapshot #6: The Sowing and Reaping of Farming Therefore, ridding yourselves of all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21 Therefore be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. See also James 5:7 A final image we will explore in James 1 is that of farming. I love that he reminds us that the seeds planted in our hearts and minds are the very words of God! We also know that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17)! Therefore you might say that the seeds of Truth are first planted in the soil of our hearts, and then they are watered by faith. The results of seed planting can take a very long time, however. As James 5:7 points out, it requires waiting and patience. But once the waiting is over, the harvest that is reaped is precious! Again, James is asking that believers patiently endure the rains while waiting for the Lord’s return. This snapshot is an appeal for a faith that is so long-term and permanent that it could be described as steadfast. It follows through. When I first noticed these snapshots in James 1, I was teaching at a women’s prison. I created a huge poster with images that depicted the above six snapshots. We looked at pictures of athletes who’d been running a race for so long they were exhausted. But they refused to veer from the path or give up. We also looked at an older couple walking hand in hand down a dry dusty road - and a father walking hand in hand with his little girl. There were pictures of planets and stars too! I showed them ultrasound pictures and photos of newborn babies. There were beautiful pictures of rich harvests of fruit hanging from the vine. And fields ripe with abundant harvest. To me, these were pictures of a faith that follows through. A steadfast faith in Jesus. Let’s pause here, friends. Next time, we will take a peak at snapshots of WHAT NOT TO DO. While we wait to look at the remaining word-pictures together, let’s finish with a reminder of why James embedded so many visual portraits in this text. What point was he trying to drive home so fully that he gave so many illustrations of that message? It’s the main theme of James 1. It’s about perseverance and finishing well. The snapshots are six different perspectives about perseverance and finishing well! Two Greek words James used are ‘hypomone’ and ‘telios.’ ‘Hypomone’ is about perseverance, endurance , patience, and constancy. And “telios’ means to bring something to its intended end through completion , maturity, or perfection. Therefore, it is a picture of the goal set before us…to run the race, no matter what comes, and finish well for the glory of God. May we commit to perseverance in our own lives. May we make it our goal to finish well . Once we set our feet to the path, may we complete the high calling of Steadfast Faith . Still running and looking to Him, Tina P.S. Which snapshots resonate most with you? How could these images spur you on to persevere and not give up in the rainy seasons of your own race?