James illustrates the fact that none are immune from testing and trials. Those in lowly circumstance, with little to boast of as to worldly wealth and position, have much to glory in Christ Jesus. Even those who seem to have it so good, not wanting it would seem, in anything, are not without testing - challenges - calamities. The point to be taken is that whatever our position, status, we can all benefit by receiving wisdom from God in the trials and crises of life, not the least of which is growth in spiritual stature that glorifies Christ, and plays a part in shaping us for His eternal purposes.

James declares that it is wisdom for the lowly brother to glory in his exaltation (James 1:9 ). "Lowly" in contrast with the rich, but not only a low earner, but occupying a lowly position. Those whose present condition fits that description can rejoice in the knowledge that being in Christ ensures they will not be so positioned permanently. They are not to glory in poverty, rather they are to glory in their potential in Christ and dwell on their exaltation in Christ.

Consider the following facts regarding the lowly brother's exaltation:

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Exaltation Of Being Born Again Of God

He is born anew of God (John 1:12 ). Born again from above (John 3:3 ). Name written in heaven (Luke 10:20 ).

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Exaltation Of Being A Member Of God's Family

"Brother" - he is a member of the family of God (Ephesians 3:14-15 ).

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Exaltation Of Boldness Of Access To God

Through Jesus Christ the Son of God. His great High Priest has freedom of access to God's presence and outspokenness before Him (Hebrews 4:16 )

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Exaltation Of Being Made A Home Of God

John 14:23 "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."

John 14:17 "Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."

The Father, the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit are specially at home in the person who truly loves and obeys the Lord. This great honour advertises itself by the transformed life.

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Exaltation Of Receiving A Baptism Of Power For Service

Acts 1:8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me ..."

(Luke 24:48-49 ).

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Exaltation Of Being A Vessel Of Holy Spirit Manifestation

1 Corinthians 12:7 "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal."

(1 Corinthians 12:8-10 ). The exaltation is that the lowly, ordinary believer becomes a channel of Holy Spirit ability. If one gift seems more spectacular or powerful than another, this does not give any superiority to the person used. It is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit, not a self display of the member of the body through whom the manifestation is made, just as the paint brush can take no credit for the abilities of the artist. But he is an instrument of honour suitable for and available to the Master's use (2 Timothy 2:21 )

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Exaltation By Being Heirs Of God, And Joint-heirs With Christ

Romans 8:16-17 "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: ¹⁷ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."

The prospect before all God's children is inheriting all that the Father has. In the purpose of God nothing can prevent our full possession and enjoyment in the future, of all our inheritance, for we are joint-heirs with Christ. Enduring the shame and reproach of Christ now will result in our also being glorified together with Him. The lowly in the midst of their trials and trying conditions can be occupied with their glorious exaltation in Christ Jesus their mighty and wonderful Saviour.

James 1:10 "But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away."

James declares that it is wisdom for the rich to glory in his humiliation (James 1:10 ). James shows that those who are of low estate are lifted up in Christ, then he contrasts how those of high estate, rich in this world's goods, are humbled so that in Christ they may enjoy the greater eternal riches of salvation. They are to glory in their humiliation. Before their coming to Christ they boasted in their riches which they attributed to their own ability and self-effort (Job 31:25 ) by which they denied God and invited judgment, as was the conclusion of Job.

Job 31:28 "This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above."

The great folly of the wealthy is to trust in riches for security (Job 31:24; Luke 12:19-20; Proverbs 18:11 ).

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Those Who Have By Grace Been Made Low Are Among The Righteous In Christ, And Glory In Him As Their Tower Of Security

Proverbs 18:10 "The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe."

Before the rich could enjoy oneness in the body of Christ their pride had to be abandoned. When the rich young man turned sorrowfully away, Jesus said

Matthew 19:23-24 "... Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. ²⁴ And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

His profession of keeping the law was false - he did not love his neighbour as himself (Matthew 19:18-20 ). The law condemned him. He failed the Lord's test and became an example of how, humanly speaking, it would be impossible for a rich man to be saved.

Matthew 19:26 "... With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. "

When the Holy Spirit in grace convicts and convinces, even the rich sinner abandons trust in the visible wealth for security, and with open eyes of faith in an unseen Saviour, says with the hymn-writer in the confidence of saving faith

"When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride."
Isaac Watts

James would have the saved rich people glory in their humbling at the cross, and more, that by being made low, the brevity of his earthly life now points to the soon enjoyment of eternity with God, the swift passing of worldly wealth into realisation of eternal inheritance. Verse 11 pictures vividly that if a man has nothing but material wealth it is as transient as grass, and all the plans of the materialistic will end in the grave. To be humbled so as to become saved is cause for great rejoicing. Rejoicing in being made low is rejoicing in the Lord.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 "Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: ²⁴ But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD."

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Those Who Glory In Being Made Low Delight In Knowing The Lord, And Those Things That Delight Him

That the rich believer is subject to testing is clear. There will be the kind of testing peculiar to their status and wealth, to which there is pertinent reference in first Timothy.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; ¹⁸ That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; ¹⁹ Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

	There is the test of TRUE RELATIONSHIPS - either the rich brother will be "haughty" or "harmonious" (1 Corinthians 11:17-22, 29 ).
	There is the test of TRUE SECURITY - either insecurity by trusting in uncertain riches, or real security because of reliance on the living Word.
	There is the test of TRUE WORSHIP - either God is worshipped, or money becomes an idol.
	There is the test of TRUE ENJOYMENT - having its source in God; or denial, living as though money was the source.
	There is the test of TRUE STEWARDSHIP - either sharing readily or reluctantly.
	There is the test of TRUE VALUES - either laying foundations for now, that perish, or laying foundations for eternity (Matthew 6:19 ).

It is those who glory in being made low and stay low at the cross of Jesus, who will triumph in the face of these tests.

James 1:12 "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."

Permanent recognition and reward will be given to all who endure trials, in a way that receives God's approval when we appear before the judgment seat of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11-15 ). Even now, by handling our trials in the right way finds rewards, but the best rewards are in the life to come. "Blessed" refers to the happy experience yet to be of the overcoming ones on receiving the Lord's approval. The Greek for the word "crown" was the usual term for the wreath placed on the head of the victorious athlete, or military leader (2 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 5:4; Revelation 2:10 ). Triumphant living in this life will be forever marked in the next life with the fuller, richer enjoyment of the glories of eternal life in heaven. There is no way in which we can earn salvation:

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Yet our works of service and our winning over trials will be evaluated, recognised, rewarded by the Lord. It is so important that we react positively to the trials permitted by the Lord, because the Lord is working in us through them for our betterment both now and for eternity,

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Is there a perspective from which a lowly brother can boast? (James 1:9 ).
2. What would be a sobering reflection that would correct the boasting of the rich? (James 1:10 ).
3. What personal benefits can you count on if you endure temptation? (James 1:12 ).