​Ask—A Heart That Believes (1:5–8)

​Ask—A Heart That Believes (1:5–8)

James wrote to people who were having trouble praying (James 4:1–3; 5:13–18). What should we pray about when we are going through challenging times that God has planned for us? James says to ask God for wisdom.

James talks a lot about wisdom (James 1:5; 3:13–18). The book of Proverbs shows that the Jewish people loved wisdom. Someone once said that knowledge is the ability to take things apart and wisdom is the ability to put them back together. The right way to use knowledge is wisdom. We all know educated fools: they have great grades in school but can't make even the simplest decisions in life.

Why do we need wisdom when things are challenging? Why not ask for help, strength, or even deliverance? We need wisdom so we don't waste the opportunities God provides us to grow. Wisdom shows us how to make the most of these situations for our own benefit and for God's glory.

James not only told us what to ask for (wisdom), but he also told us how to ask. We should ask with faith. We don't have to be scared because God wants to answer and will never scold us. He provides more grace (James 4:6). He also provides more and more knowledge. Unbelief is the greatest enemy of prayers that are answered.

James likens the uncertain believer to the sea's waves, which rise and fall. This is what it feels like to be "double-minded." Faith says "yes," but doubt says "no." Doubt then comes along and says "Yes!" one minute and "No!" the next. Peter sank in the waves as he walked to Jesus because he was unsure (Matt. 14:22–33). Jesus asked him, "Why did you doubt, O you of little faith?" Peter kept his eyes on Christ as he began his walk of faith. But when he let the wind and waves get to him, he stopped walking by faith and started to sink. He was confused and almost drowned.

Many Christians navigate life like corks on the waves: one moment they are uplifted, the next they are cast downward, continually subjected to the turbulence of life's currents. Such behavior shows that you are not mature. In Ephesians 4:14, Paul said something similar: "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive." We can ask God for wisdom if we have faith and are united in our hearts. Being unstable and immature go hand in hand.

James finished this part with a beatitude: "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation" (James 1:12). He began (James 1:2) and finished with happiness. Often how you look at things affects how they turn out. This beatitude is a great source of hope because it promises a crown to those who are patient during difficult times. Paul frequently employed athletic metaphors in his epistles, and James did so in this instance. He does not assert that the sinner achieves salvation through the endurance of trials. He says that going through hard times is a reward for the believer.

What does he receive in return? First, he learns more about Christ. This goal is more important than anything else. He is also rewarded by glorifying God and receiving a crown of life when Jesus Christ comes back. The cross comes first, then the crown. First comes the pain, then the glory. God doesn't help us by taking away the tests; He helps us by making the tests work for us. Satan wants to use the tests to break us down, but God uses them to make us stronger.

James used a very important word in James 1:12: love. We would expect him to write, “ the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.” or “those who obey Him.” Why did James choose love? Love serves as the spiritual foundation for every command in this section.

Why do we stay happy when things get tough? We love God, and He loves us, and He won't hurt us. What makes our minds able to understand? We love Him because He loves us and has told us the truth. What causes us to surrender our will? This is due to our love for Him. In love, we experience both surrender and obedience to His commands. What is the reason for our faith? Faith and love are inextricably linked. You place your trust in someone when you love them, and you are comfortable seeking their assistance.

The imperatives that James gave us come from love. We won't have any trouble counting, knowing, letting, or asking if we love God. But there is one more thing: love makes us loyal to the Lord. The double-minded person (James 1:8) is like an unfaithful spouse: they want to love both God and the world. James said, "Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded." (James 4:8) The Greek word that is translated as "purify" literally means "make chaste." The picture shows a lover who is not faithful.

Let's go back to the weaning. The child who loves his mother and knows she loves him will be able to go through the weaning and start to grow up. A Christian who loves God and knows that God loves him will not fall apart when God lets challenging times happen. He knows that God loves him. He doesn't have two minds, loving both God and the world. Lot was not sure what to do, and when things got tough, he failed badly. Abraham was a friend of God. He loved and trusted God. Abraham overcame challenges and grew in his faith.

God's goal in trials is growth. "Let patience do its perfect work so that you can be perfect and whole, lacking nothing."

If that's what you want, then, in love for Christ, count, know, let, and ask.