Faithful Living - Studies from the Book of James
Trials are Purposeful! James 1:2-4 - by Pastor Jack Anderson
Introduction --The first verse gives the basic introductory
material to the letter. The author is James, the half-brother of Christ. The
recipients are Christian Jews who have been scattered abroad from
James is concerned with the behaviour of believers. His conviction
is that saving faith transforms the life and is evident in conduct. Saving
faith is alive and evident in the life a person lives. So the Book of James
is really about faith, but faith as it is lived out in the life.
One of the most difficult areas for us to deal with as believers is the matter
of testing and trials, and it is
at this very point that James begins his letter. What should be the believer's
response to trials and pressures?
S-T-R-E-S-S has become the buzzword of our generation. The
dictionary defines stress as "pressure. Intense strain ...
to bind tight ... to subject to external forces."
People describe stress as that which activates such problems-- as heart
trouble, hypertension, cancer, headaches, relational strains, divorces, and
hundreds of other difficulties. Stress is the scapegoat, and often the excuse
of modern man.
James is concerned that believers manifest
godly character in the face of trials and appreciate the importance of trials
in producing godly character in our lives.
The moment we hear the word
"stress," many of us clench our fists and tighten up as if stress
were our foe.
The Truth is that Trials and Stress can be
one of life's greatest assets when we learn to handle them properly. When we
learn its purpose and begin to control it rather than letting it control us.
Ilustration---A jeweller; gives as one of
the surest tests for a true diamond in what is called the water test. An
imitation stone is never ever so brilliant as a genuine stone. But
sometimes, you can't tell that by just looking at it with your eye.
If your eye is not experienced enough to
detect that difference, it is said by jewellers that water will definitely show
up the real diamond.
A genuine diamond placed in water sparkles brilliantly though it's
under water while the imitation is practically extinguished as to its
sparkle. Place one along side the other one in water and you'll
be able to pick out the real diamond relatively easy. I will borrow from that
analogy and then seek to apply it to our study.
There are many people who are very confident of their faith. They feel
that their faith is indeed genuine and shines brilliantly. But when,
they find themselves under the water of sorrow or the water of trials and
affliction.
Then often, the supposed genuineness of that diamond is shown to
be nothing but an imitation. However, put the true child of God under
the water of trial and he will shine as brilliantly as ever.
G.K. Chesterton -- puts the same idea in a similar way. He said,
"I believe in getting into hot water. I think it keeps you clean."
Friends; there is, the need in our lives for
testing to see if in fact we are genuine. And sometimes there is no better test
than the hot water or the water of sorrows and trials.
How one handles trouble is an indication of
their faith. And trouble coming into your life and my life will speak to the
reality of our faith or the lack of it.
Therefore in the purpose of James, which is to give us tests of living faith, the first
thing he wants to talk about is the test of trials
For trials will reveal whether your faith is living faith or
dead faith, whether it's genuine faith or imitation faith, whether it is saving
faith or non-saving faith.
1. Trials are A Predictable Fact V 1-2---
This is a very natural starting point for the simple reason that everybody who lives in the
world lives through trials.
In fact, we are fallen creatures, we are sinful creatures, and we live in the
midst of a fallen and sinful society.
And as a result of that we experience constant trouble. It just seems like it
never goes very far away, if it goes away at all. Job put it this way in
chapter 5 verse 7, he said, "Man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward."
In fact, in Job 14:1 he said, "Man that is born of a woman," and
that includes all of us, obviously, "Man that is
born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble."
In Psalm 22:11 David said-crying out to God, "Be not far
from me for trouble is near me."
Even for those who are the children of God, there's a constant kind of
facing of trouble, a constant facing of trial in a very troubled world.
Verse 2 does not say "If we face Trials of many kinds;
its says "When. The Point is Trials and Stress are
Predictable, --Inevitable—Inescapable—and they are Unavoidable
Jesus Himself was not able to avoid trouble. In fact, He said of
His disciples, "You have been with Me in My troubles." John 13:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me
ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of
good cheer; I have overcome the world.
.
Jesus groaned in His Spirit. He knew what it was to have a troubled spirit. He
was troubled. Paul; said he was troubled on every side, 2 Co 4:8. We are troubled
on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
We must learn expect Trials and Times of
Trouble. Trouble in our family. Trouble from our friends. Trouble in our job.
Trouble in the economic world. Trouble from
criticism. Trouble in the form of disease and illness.
We even expect trouble to come into our lives
in the form of death, as it strikes people very close to us.
Trouble comes - it's just the way it is in
life. And if you think you're the only one going through it, you haven't been
looking around lately. Everyone is in the same situation.
None of us is immune to outward trials
that create stress. It is interesting to note that we never grow out of the
possibility of confronting trials. When we study the lives of men and women in the
Bible, we find that some of their greatest trials came way down the road of
their personal spiritual pilgrimage, not at the beginning of their walk with
God.
Consider Moses, for example. After
seeing the hand of God in so many wonderful ways-the parting of the Red Sea,
the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, the manifestation of manna
every morning----the complaints of the children of
Think of David-the shepherd. Psalmist, king, and man after God's own heart. His
greatest trials came after he was on the throne of
And what about Simon Peter, the
big fisherman? He had proven his
courage so many times before, but when confronted on the last evening of
Christ's life, he cowardly stood by the fire outside the house of the high
priest.
No matter who we are or how long we have walked the journey of
the Christian life, we will face the stress of trials and the soon we realise
that—the more quickly we will be able to deal with our trials.
Notice from verse 2 How James addresses these scattered Believers!
" My Brethren" In doing this he identifies himself with these
scattered Christians and with their suffering.
This term brethren-- has nothing to do with today’s conception of the
Universal brotherhood of man. James is speaking of a relationship, which they
have entered through Faith in the Saviour of men. Those who have been born
again of the Holy Spirit into the family of God. The word "brother" in the Greek text is "ADELPHOS"—"One
born from the same womb.
The New Testament employs a Physical Analogy to emphasise the Truth of
the Believers unity in the body of Christ.
Rom 12 :4 For as we have many
members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
So we, being many, are
one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
This term "My
brethren" is one that is used by James at least eighteen
times in this epistle. It highlights a Precious Relationship that we ought ever
to seek to foster. James is not just content with establishing
Doctrinal Truth! He wants to see a practical application of the Truth in the
life.
This man cared, for His Brethren in the Lord and he desired that they
should be concerned for each other’s well being. The Apostle John writes in--
1 John 3:14 We know that we have
passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth
in death.
Christians should have a love and concern for their brothers and
sisters in Christ. This is truly a relationship to foster.
Blest be the ties that bind-
Our hearts in Christian Love
The Fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above
Trials are
Predictable Fact V 1-2-
Trials are
PROBLEMATIC FORCE 1:2
James says—"When ye fall
into various Trials. Note the word fall
in the Text.
It the Greek word per-ee-pip'-to;;
to fall into something that is all around, i.e. light among or upon, be
surrounded with:--fall among.
It the word that Jesus used to describe the man on the
James uses the same word to describe how we are sometimes confronted with
stressful trials.
How many times have we been on this road everything has been going
well for us then suddenly we have been confronted with stressful Trials.
Illness arrives unexpectantly! Fiancial
difficulties arise—death claims a loved one.
Trials are Predictable—Problematic—they can
come suddenly. None of us are immune.
The Lord had His share of Trials.—speaking to His own He said "ye are they which
have continued with me in my Trials"
Paul had his Trials-- I have been with you at all seasons, Serving the Lord with
all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by
the lying in wait of the Jews:
The Apostle Peter speaks of heaviness through manifold testing.
There are present day Preachers who tell their followers that cause of sickness and
problems is because there is sin in their lives or a lack of faith. Then
when trials come they loose the faith they thought they had.
God never tests His people to make them weak
–He tests them to make them strong.
Think of Abraham-- whom God ask to sacrifice his only son. Think of
Joseph—who was thrown into an Egyptian dungeon on a trumped charge.
All the New Test writers remind us that trials will come! Peter writes. 1 Pet 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more
precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be
tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the
appearing of Jesus Christ:
Peter also reminds us " That our Trials come only for a season"
Trials are Transitory they will pass.
Perhaps Longfellow said it best." The Lowest ebb is the
turning of the Tide".
Some trials are natural—they come from
sickness, accidents, old age, disappointment, or other painful circumstances.
These trials are natural because we live in
fleshly bodies and in a sinful world.
Others- are Supernatural they come to us because we are Christians.
As Christians we face two basic types of Trials" Trials of Correction! Trials of Perfection! A True
test of our Faith; is how we respond to our Trials.
Every trouble that comes into your life and
every trial, be it a small one or a large one, becomes a test then of your
faith. You either pass or fail.
Illustration When they first manufactured golf balls, they made
the covers smooth. Then it was discovered that after a ball had been roughed up
one could get more distance out of it.
So they started manufacturing them with
dimpled covers. So it is with your Christian life; it takes some rough spots in
your life to make you go farther to go the distance on the road of Faith.
Trials are
A Predictable Fact
Trials are
A problematic Force
Trials Are
A Paradoxical Future
James 1:2 my brethren, count
it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
James-- is saying that we should count it pure joy when we fall into
Trials. Be happy when you are tested. Surely, this must be a miss print.
We generally count it all joy when we avoid troubles and Trials. What a
Paradox.
This word count
means to "Consider " To esteem" This word count is in the
Future tense—James was not saying that the Trial was Joy. He was saying
that beyond the Trial there is joy, Think ahead, and look forward.
Verse 12 bears out this line of thought. James 1:12
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation:
for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath
promised to them that love him.
Job; was thinking ahead when he said.
Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me,
I shall come forth as gold.
Joseph—when he revealed his identity to his brothers after
many years of hurt said to them" "You intended to harm me- but God
intended it for good to accomplish was is now being done".
Did Joseph count it a joy to be in Prison? No! But he knew that God was with him in his
trials, God’s hand was in his circumstances and he looked in faith knowing the
God works all things together for the good of those who trust Him.
Have you considered it to joy to be in the
midst of stressful Trials? James was not saying that we joy in out trials but
joy in what lies ahead. There is joy in the outcome. Herein lies the Victory.
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the
author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set
before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right
hand of the throne of God.
James is telling these saints of Old and us today think ahead to the joy—
Blessed is he who endureth testing: for when he is tried, he shall receive
the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Faith is the Victory!
His banner over us is love,
Our sword the Word of God;
We tread the road the saints above,
With shouts of triumph tread.
By faith they, like a whirlwind's
breath,
Swept on over every field;
The faith by which they conquered death,
Is still our shining shield!
Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory! Oh glorious victory
that overcomes the world."
When all my Labours and Trials are
o’er
And I am safe on that beautiful
shore
Just to be near the dear Lord I
adore
Will Through the ages be Glory for
me.
Trials are
A Predictable Fact
Trials are
A problematic Force
Trials are
A Paradoxical Future
Trials Are
A PRODUCTIVE FRUIT 1:3-8)
Reason for Trials—1:3-8
1. Produce Purging James 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying
of your faith worketh patience.
One purpose of Trails is to lead us to purity.
The word translated temptation? Testing-- is
(Dokimion) it is found only in two places!
James 1:3 1Peter 1:7—where it is translated
tried-- to approve: --allow, discern, examine, prove, try by fire. Our Trials
have Purpose and often it’s the refining purifying fire that we might be more
holy.
2. Produce Perseverance. This is another purpose, which God has in mind--The testing of our
faith develops perseverance. Endurance, constancy: --enduring, patience, patient
continuance (waiting)
The picture is that of one who is under
great pressure standing their ground.
Let us always keep in mind what is actually
on trial. Is it us ?
NO- its our faith—James is talking about the testing of our faith.
Without faith it is impossible to please God.
3. Produces Perfection. James 1:4 But let patience
have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Another purpose of Trials is to lead us to
perfection. The perfect word patience of perseverance is to bring the child of
God to maturity so that they might be fully-grown.
Illustration—A student goes to university seeking to graduate with
a degree in his chosen subject. Along the way
may make mistakes fail a few tests. But this is incidental to finishing the
course and going up to receive his diploma on graduation day.
In the school of trials we fail some tests
along the way and perhaps get the facts confused. But
all along the way God in His Grace is making us ready, maturing us,
completing us, for that day when we shall walk across the heavenly stage to
receive our Spiritual diplomas and to hear "The Well Done"
The Goal in Christian living is maturity, trials are
purposeful—they produce Perseverance! Prayer" and Maturity. God is perfecting you—"
Every experience is a crossroads in our life.
We can respond in anger and self pity and become bitter.
Or we can accept suffering--as the chisel God uses to sculpt us
into a saint and become better."
Dynamic faith-- is when we give trials a chance to shape us and make
us, not break us. God desires that we should lack nothing in facing the
adversities of life.
Illustration-- A gardener took great pride in caring for his lawn.
But one year it grew full of dandelions. He tried every method and product to get
rid of them, but nothing worked. Exasperated, he wrote the Department of
Agriculture explaining all he had done.
"What shall I try
next?" he wrote. "Try getting used to them," came the reply.
Friends, we have trials to face but His Grace is sufficient. He gives Grace for
every trial and feeds us with the living bread. We need to be patience.
V 4 But let patience have her
perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Perfect –completeness of a full age—
Entire—complete in every part perfectly sound
Wanting nothing—to fail, to lack or to be destitute.
Therefore we need to be ready to face our Trials when they come
upon us!
Trials are Purposeful! The one who never undergoes trials will never mature
in the faith.
Job 23:10
But he knoweth
the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as
gold.