Live Different:
A Study in James - Patience
In the book of James, there are: 5 chapters, 108 verses…and out of these 108 verses, this little book of the bible contains 54 Imperatives/commands/encouragements
This shows that this is a very practical book that will help guide us in daily living.
The Book of James is the very first New Testament Book written. They didn’t have any other New Testament Books of the Bible available to them. They were living approx. 10-15 years after the death/burial/resurrection of Jesus Christ. So, all these people want to know is “how do the scriptures & the resurrected life of Jesus Christ relate to my life – practically?” What do we do now?
Life was tough for the 1st Century readers of this little book because they are getting persecuted during this time. In fact, if you want to read about the various persecutions that were going on during this time, all you have to do is read Acts chapters 8-12.
These people were literally running for their lives!!! Their anxieties were HIGH! Fear is on high-alert! They were gripped with insecurity, gripped with fear, gripped with confusion on how to live! Sound familiar!
They definitely needed Patience, Wisdom, and Faith to guide them through their lives!
Over the next three weeks, we will be studying the book of James. In this tiny book, we can find many truths that will guide us in our insecurities, guide us in our fear, guide us in our confusion. We can find words here that will show us how to live! And, the overriding thought here is that we should always LIVE DIFFERENT!
Today, we’re going to look at what this book has to say about patience, about endurance. What to do in the midst of life’s trials? What to do in the midst of life’s pains?
In the Book of James, James likens “patience” to the idea of “being content as you endure” through what God wants us to go through in our lives.
Sometimes in life, people become impatient and they miss out on the fullest blessing that God intended. In America, especially, we have a consumer mindset –
“I want it now! I want it fast! And if I don’t get it from you…I will go to someone else who will serve me now & fast!” It’s the fast food philosophy of life!
And because this is the way we live now, we lack the ability (or desire) to “be content as you endure.”
But because God is all-wise, all-powerful, and never-changing, He knows what is best for us…and having everything NOW is not the best thing!
James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
Today, I would like to share a few thoughts on patience and endurance from the book of James.
Four Thoughts On The Trials of Life
Three Guarantees If We Endure Life’s Trials
FOUR THOUGHTS ON THE TRIALS OF LIFE
1) Life’s Not Easy
… when you fall into various trials (v2)
Notice here the writer doesn’t say IF, he says WHEN!
II Timothy 2:9 And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. (NLT)
Just becoming a believer in Jesus Christ doesn’t make life any easier. You know, America is probably the only place on the planet that you can say, that Life will be easy as a believer in Jesus Christ. For, on a mission field, some people become believers in Jesus Christ at the risk of their lives!
So, if you recently accepted Jesus Christ as your savior – maybe last Sunday in Friend Day – please know that life will not get amazingly easier now…but NOW you have both a God & godly friends to walk this path with you!
If we patiently endure, we can have a powerful testimony of trust in God…and people will look on us and glorify God – even accept Him as their Lord & Savior!
2) Our Trials Have A Purpose
a. it produces patience
…knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. (v3)
The word “testing” is the word dokimazo (pronounced “Dock-ee-MAH-zo) is always used in the bible to describe a challenge or situation that provides the opportunity for the recipient to prove himself! It is always spoken of as a positive thing to happen to us.
What is interesting, is that this same word for “testing” was used to describe the refining process of metals like gold. They would take the metal – heat it up to a liquid form - all the impurities would rise to the top – they would skim off all the impurities from the top – then allow the metal to cool…making the precious metal much more valuable because the impurities had been removed.
And catch this…THIS word used to refer to the skimming off of the impurities is our word here in James 1:3 that is translated “Testing”…of your faith!
b. our trials can bring people to Christ!
II Tim. 2:10 So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen. (NLT)
3) You Don’t Have to Worry.
... count it all joy (v2)
John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
I was with a very successful businessman this week. We were talking about trials and how we handle going through these periods in our lives. He shared a very powerful truth with me. He said that his own prayer life has always been made up of about 98% praises. This is “count it all joy” in practice.
You see, it is a refining process that causes us to be more pure, righteous, holy before God! And I know the heart is to say, “God remove this thorn from me!!!” It’s too hard! I am emotionally spent. But God will always be there for us to comfort us.
2 Cor. 12:8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. 10 Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (NLT)
4) You Can Count on God!
John 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
You know what I think about when I read this verse…and what I really appreciate about God when I read this verse?
John 14:1 was spoken to His 12 Disciples so that THEY would be comforted and at peace…BUT [and catch this!] in approx. 24 hours, Jesus Himself will be hanging on a cross!!! AND he says, “Don’t let YOUR heart be troubled!”
If I were in that situation, I don’t know if I would be as concerned with your life as I would be concerned with my own immediate situation. BUT, that is the heart of God. I will take care of you – in this life of trouble. I will help you patiently endure through this life of trouble.
1 Pet. 1:7 These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. (NLT)
So, here’s the point: GOD NEVER “temps” us or puts us in trials to try to make us fall or fail! BUT, GOD EMPOWERS us to endure THROUGH these attacks and use them as a way to PROVE that with God’s help, we can have victory!!!
THREE GUARANTEES IF WE ENDURE LIFE’S TRIALS
1) Patience Perfects Us!
James 1:4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
“perfect” - In other words, patience is the tutor that if you stick with it and try not to rid yourself of patience, then you will not miss out on all that God can and wants to teach you through patience.
What can God teach you through patience? You know as well as I do, sometime in the “waiting,” we find ourselves on our knees more – something we would not have done on our own if God wouldn’t have caused us to go through a turbulent situation.
I saw a man wearing a shirt in the San Diego airport yesterday that said, “Pain is nothing more than weakness leaving the body!”
2) Patience Completes Us!
“complete” - Meaning, “whole,” “well,” “physical or spiritual well-being.” This word is often used of the people that God would heal in the first century.
James 1:12 God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (NLT)
3) Patience Prepares Us!
“lacking nothing” – This is a phrase that means “not deficient with regard to spiritual strength”
James 5:10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. 11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
Remember Job’s life? He got a double-blessing - double of what he lost - because he simply trusted God through it all!
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
