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 Jerusalem.
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 Israel
tried his patience. He struck the rock instead of speaking
to it, perverting the type of Christ.
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 Israel.
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 Jericho road
who fell among thieves. He turned the corner and suddenly
he was surrendered by unexpected trouble. There was
no time for his run away. Trouble sprang upon him.
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.
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