“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” - James 1:2-3
James was probably an older brother of Jesus. He had not recognised Jesus until after the resurrection, and possibly felt guilty about that. He was a senior member of the early church. As a senior member, he probably was privy to much that runs a community, and much of his letter seems to go over ground he would have discussed with people many times.
What must a faithful man have felt to know who Jesus was after resurrection, but not before? To have grown up with him, and played with him and not to have seen, but dismissed him in Jesus’ first life. And then to see children argue and bicker in shared communion.
It is easy to not persevere. But never rewarding. Only by persevering can great things be done. Is James wishing he had persevered while Jesus was his kin? Did James remember being rejected as he sought to control Jesus and block Jesus from mission? It is natural for siblings to oppose and support each other, and James here seems to be an advocate for love, as church leaders ought to be.
https://rumble.com/vcycyd-bible-quote-jan-21st-james-12-3.html
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