Perseverance1From James, servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. To all the Jewish believers that are dispersed among the nations: Greetings!2-3My dear brothers and sisters, react with real joy when you have to face many kinds of opposition and difficulty, for you know that we only learn to persevere when our faith is tested.4This perseverance is essential if we are to become mature, being the people God wants us to be, lacking nothing.5You should ask God to supply the wisdom you need, for He gives generously and unreservedly to all who ask.6However, you must believe when you ask and not doubt His willingness to give, for anyone who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.7-8Such a person is double minded and unreliable in everything he does and should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.9The believer who comes from a humble background ought to be thankful for the noble status God has given him.10The wealthy one should be thankful that God has humbled him, for despite his possessions he will suffer the same fate as the wild flower.11For when the sun shines with scorching heat, the plant withers, its bloom fades and its beauty is destroyed. In like manner, the wealthy one will fade even though he prospers in his worldly affairs.12The man who perseveres in his faith, when tested, is blessed. Having passed the test, he will be rewarded with the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.13When facing temptation, no one should ever say "God is tempting me." It is impossible for God to be tempted by evil, nor will He ever tempt anyone.14A person is tempted by his own evil desire. This is what entices him.15If he dwells on the desire it will lead to sin, and fully-developed sin ends in spiritual death.16So, my dear brothers, do not be deceived.17Everything that is good and perfect is a gift from God. It comes from the Father who created the universe, who never changes as moving shadows do.18Through the Word of truth, He chose to give us new birth so that out of His whole creation we are those who come first, as His own children.19My dear brothers, be sure to take notice of this: Everyone should be quick to listen but slow to speak or become angry.20Man's anger can never bring about the good life that God desires.21So rid yourselves of everything that is morally corrupt and the evil that is so prevalent today. Instead, accept humbly the seed of God's Word that has been planted in your heart, for this can save you.Do what the Word says22-24You deceive yourselves if you only listen to God's Word. You need to do what He says, for the person who listens to the Word but fails to act on it is like someone who sees his face in a mirror and then immediately forgets what he looks like.25By contrast, the person who takes seriously what God commands us to do enjoys freedom. He continues to obey because he does not forget what he has heard, and so is blessed in what he does.26Anyone who considers himself to be a good religious person, and yet does not keep tight control of his tongue, simply deceives himself. His religion is useless.27The kind of religious life that is accepted by God, because it is pure and genuine, is typified by those who care for orphans and widows who are in need and who refuse to allow the world to corrupt them.
Scripture quoted by permission. The passage above is taken from THE TRUTH VERSION. Copyright © 2009 by Colin Urquhart. All rights reserved worldwide. (The Truth New Testament)