Monday, May 23, 2011

James 1:2 says, "Lead on with joy!"

In the Greek, James 1:2 says, “Lead on with joy my brothers!”

James was advising leaders how to deal with trials, and we should take a lesson as well. Anyone involved in ministry will be opposed. Let’s face it: the devil hates humanity and is out to destroy it anyway he can. When anyone decides to spread the good news of our salvation in Christ, that person will be opposed by demonic forces. How do we cope?

James, the brother of Jesus, instructs us to use joy as a weapon; to take it up, and lead on. Here it is in the Greek:

Πᾶσαν χαρὰν ἡγήσασθε ἀδελφοί μου ὅταν πειρασμοῖς περιπέσητε ποικίλοις
With all joy lead on my brothers when various trials encompass you.

As ministers of the Gospel, we must learn to apply joy to the situation in order to survive the ministry any length of time. Joy will secure the longevity of our ministry. Or so it says . . . in the Greek in James 1:2