The opening matter about which the epistle of James provides pastoral counsel concerns the trials, troubles, and tribulations of our lives. Concerning this matter James delivers a series of four instructions under the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit. The first (verses 2-3) speaks concerning our attitude toward the trials of life. The second (verse 4) speaks concerning our response of submission in the trials of life. The third of these instructions is then found in verse 5. It flows out of the closing thought of the previous instruction. Therein we are informed that the “perfect work” of patient endurance in our lives will develop our spiritual character and maturity so that we might become spiritually “perfect and entire, wanting [or, lacking] nothing.” The instruction of verse 5 takes up the idea of “lacking” from verse 4 (which the word “wanting” means in this context) and challenges us with one particular area of lack in our lives. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.” Thus it speaks concerning our prayerfulness unto the Lord concerning the trials of life. Grammatically, the instruction of James 1:5 can be divided into four parts. First, there is the individual problem of the conditional clause -- “If any of you lack wisdom.” Second, there is the encouraging precept of the main clause -- “Let him ask of God.” Third, there is the assured provision of the subordinate clause -- “That giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not.” Fourth, there is the divine promise of the coordinate clause -- “And it shall be given him.”
1. Our Problem Acknowledged 2. Our Prayer Asked 3. God’s Provision Assured 4. God’s Promise Announced
Featuring a sermon puts it on the front page of the site and is the most effective way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands including all mobile platforms + newsletter.
Text-Featuring a sermon is a less expensive way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands on the right bar with optional newsletter inclusion. As low as $30/day.
Pastor Scott Markle was raised in a Christian home, and received the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior at the age of four. He has served the Lord his God and Savior in pastoral ministry since 1992. He has served as the pastor of Melvin Baptist Church, a small country church in the...
