When we begin following Jesus we begin a process of being tested by God. His purpose is that we be humbled and made more dependent on God.

The future, the end of this process, is blessing, eternal life, immortality, and glory. In the meantime we learn humility.

James is writing to Christians right at the beginning of Christianity. And he begins writing to them about suffering and trusting in God.

They didn’t like suffering in the first century. We don’t like it any better in the 21st century.

James is a daunting book. It’s so practical. And therein lies the rub. We are prone to live below what we can and should live like as Christians.