The School of Hard Knocks: James 1:1-12

The school of hard knocks is interested in results. From the musical My Fair Lady, Eliza reply to Freddy’s attempt to tell her that he loves her:

“Sing me no song, read me no rhyme, Don’t waste my time, Show me! I don’t want you to write me poems. I don’t want you to sing me songs. If you love me, Show me.”

This spiritual principle is at work in the book of James. You say you love the Heavenly Father and have faith in Him.  God speaks through James’ letter to challenge each person to not just talk about your faith and love but show faith and love by your actions. That is the purpose of the School of Hard Knocks.

Let me introduce you to some details of this School.

I. The Principal is God.

Verse 1: God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is sovereign and He has a glorious plan and purpose.

II. The Professor is James.

Verse 1: James, a servant of God used to pen His curriculum.

III. The Pupils of the school.

Verse 1: To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: These are people who say they have faith in God.

IV. The Problems.

Verse 2: when you meet trials of various kinds. All the ordinary problems of life, plus those that arise because you choose to enroll in God’s school.

• The problem of perspective. Rich man, poor man. The view of who you really are.

Vv. 9-10 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, ¹⁰ and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. ¹¹ For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

• • The Perspective for success.
  • How you view the big picture. Count it all joy, v. 2
  • The joy of the journey. See that is the end produce. Hebrews 12:11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
• The problem of pride. The rich often think more of themselves than they should. Think they don’t need God. See Revelation 3:14-22.
• The problem of presumption.
• The problem of provisions. Lack of nothing you need for success. 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. v. 4 full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
• Every problem is an opportunity to see God at work.

V. The Process aimed at success. 3-4.

• There is knowledge to learn and apply.
• There is faith that is designed to grow.
• There are tests that evaluate your progress.
• There is steadfastness that keeps you going.

VI. The Prayer life that supports the goal. 5-8.

• • Help is available but you must ask. It is a necessary choice.
  • Help emerges from a Good Father who loves each student so much that He has invested His resources for the success of each student.
  • It will always work for those who don’t just want to straddle the fence. Those with divided interests.
  • As you progress through the school of hard knocks you can cry out to Abba Father to give you the wherewithal to pass each test you go through.

VII. The Joy of Promotion Day.

Verse 12: Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

• The Blessing of truly loving God. Well done.
• A crown of life.
• The joy of being like the One who scholarshiped your ride through the School of Hard Knocks.

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Graham Kindrick’s song “Consider It Joy” captures the big picture of the School of Hard Knocks:

Though trials will come
Don’t fear, don’t run
Lift up your eyes
Hold fast, be strong
Have faith, keep on believing
Lift up your eyes
For God is at work in us
Moulding and shaping us
Out of his love for us
Making us more like Jesus

Consider it joy, pure joy
When troubles come
Many trials will make you strong
Consider it joy, pure joy
And stand your ground
Then at last you’ll wear a crown

Though trials will come
Won’t fear, won’t run
We’ll lift up our eyes
Hold fast, be strong
Have faith, keep on believing
We’ll lift up our eyes
For God is at work in us
Moulding and shaping us
Out of his love for us
Making us more like Jesus

Joy, pure joy
Consider it joy, pure joy
Joy, pure joy
Consider it joy, pure joy

Patiently trusting him
Ready for anything
‘Til we’re complete in him
In everything more like Jesus