Following Jesus Christ is not easy and Jesus made this clear to his disciples (Luke 9:57-62, Matthew 5:11-12, Luke 14:25-33). Jesus himself suffered the Temptation before beginning his ministry (Luke 4:1-13) and he suffered other temptations and trials, such as the agony in Gethsemane (Mark 14 :35-36),

 
giving a perfect example to his followers of how to withstand and endure the strongest pressures. What is said in James 1 :2-4 may be compared with what is said in 1 Peter 4:13-14 and 1 :6-7, as well as what is said by Paul in Colossians 1 :24--29 and 2 Corinthians 11 :23-29. In facing difficulty and temptation, the strength of faith is proved. Salvation comes through endurance. 1:5-8 may be compared with the teaching of Jesus on prayer (Luke 11:9-13) and on not doubting the power of God (Mark 11: 22-24). James understands wisdom in the sense of the teaching given in Proverbs 8 and 9, as the understanding given by God to practice what is right before God. This is different from the Greek idea of wisdom being superior intellectual knowledge. Jesus said, 'so then, anyone who hears these words of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on a rock ... (Matthew 7:24). The impression given in I: 2-8 by the writer is that he expects those who profess faith in God to show it in their endurance and firmness when they meet trials and temptations.