Martin Luther referred to James as “an epistle of straw” and something to “fire his stove” with. This letter has caused heartburn for Luther and many Protestants. However, it is a treasure for us, filled with practical teaching to help Christians face a full range of day-to-day challenges. In this first lesson, James calls us to rejoice in our trials. God is using them to perfect and complete us, as He did even with Jesus.