Setting Parameters Peter Fitch, St. Croix Vineyard Sunday, January 26, 2014 Studies in James, Part Two

James 1: 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. 13 Let no one 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.

James 1: Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 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. 18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.

Promise: Crown of Life stephanos of zoe The result of suffering well... Remember 2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Nature of Temptation Not from God A misplaced focus on something that’s not good for us, or something that’s not good as an object of over-desire Following this leads to all kinds of trouble, including a kind of “death of the soul”—the opposite of the “crown of life”

So much like Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. (Romans 1:24, 25)

And Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6: 31-33)

Nature of God Everything He made is good—He is the Father of Lights who delights in His children... He doesn’t attack us or try to take us down a dark alley We’re pretty good at that ourselves... Other Scriptures indicate that there’s another complicating factor... (evil) But what the Father has made is good

The Word of Truth? I see this as a process of discernment that allows me to see how much weight something deserves In the balance is whether I am being drawn toward lust and idolatry or filtering toward Light The Father’s desire is for us to be “a kind of first fruits among His creatures”

If we choose well... We’re gradually cleaned up from all wrong turnings We live in harmony and balance We walk in fellowship with Him We wear the “crown of life”