March 9, 2003
The
Epistle of James is an extremely practical book. James is replete with practical themes of the Christian life. For
the next five weeks I have selected five of the outstanding themes of James to
examine. In this first study we will
look at “The Christian and Trials.”
Trials and testing are part and parcel of the Christian experience. However, they are not without design and
purpose. James 1:2-12 explains the
place trials are to have in the believer’s life – the purpose for which they
are allowed by God as well as the attitude with which the believer is to accept
them.
The
philosophy of testing is found in verses 2-4. “Consider it all joy, my
brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your
faith produces endurance. And let
endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete,
lacking in nothing.”
• The Christian
should have a positive reaction to
trials, considering them a source of joy (v. 2). This includes trials of all kinds (various). The work “encounter” means to be completely
surrounded by different kinds of trials.
• The prominent
reason for trials is threefold (vv. 3-4):
1)
Trials produce patience. God expects
His people to endure or hang in there
when trials come. 2) With this patience
comes maturity – becoming more like the Lord Jesus.
3)
Trials bring us to our knees as we petition our Lord through prayer (vv.
5-8). “But if any of you
lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously
and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who
doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man expect that he will
receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his
ways.” We see that the purpose
of petition (prayer) is to obtain wisdom to know how we should react to
these trials. God’s promise in
answer to that prayer is that wisdom will be given generously and without
reproach. We also see a precaution
regarding prayer and that is we are to
ask in faith without doubting. The
doubting man cannot expect anything from the Lord.
The
perspective of testing is found in verses 9-11. “But
let the brother of humble circumstances glory in his high position; and let the
rich man glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass
away. For the sun rises with a
scorching wind, and withers the grass; and its flower falls off, and the beauty
of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his
pursuits will fade away.”
• The
perspective of the poor is to glory in his high position in Christ.
• The
perspective of the rich is to glory in his humiliation which is explained in
verses 10-11.
The
prize for enduring through our trials is found in verse 12. “Blessed
is the man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will
receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” If we endure, we will receive the crown of
eternal life with Him. What a promise!
Beloved,
what are you going through at this time in your Christian experience? Are you considering trials a source of joy
(an unshakable assurance of well-being in Christ)? Are you developing endurance?
Do you have an accurate perspective?
Are you anticipating the prize – the Crown of Life? Let’s look at our trials as Christ does and
thank Him for them! God bless.
In
His matchless Name,