LIFE GIVING TRIALS
JAMES 1:2 4
How many here have ever seen a golf ball...or held one in your hand? Probably all of you. Well, did you know that when they first manufactured golf balls, they made them smooth. But later on it was discovered that after a ball had been roughed up, they could get a lot more distance out of it. So they started making them with a dimpled cover.
That's just the way it is with life...it takes some rough spots in your life to make you go your farthest. That's what we will discover today from the book of James. But just going through tough times doesn't mean anything if we don't make proper use of those trials.
There was once a gardener who took great pride in his lawn. But one year it grew full of dandelions. He tried every method and every product on the market to get rid of them...but nothing worked.
Finally he got so frustrated that he wrote the Department of Agriculture explaining what he had done and asked them, "What do I try next?" The reply came back with a simple answer..."Try getting used to them."
That's not the kind of answer I'd like to hear in that situation...and its not what I'd like to hear when it comes to the many trials I face throughout my life. I need to know how to handle them and what I can do to overcome and see victory. Trials are a fact of life...but instead of being entirely negative....they can be the very thing that will take us where we need to go.
READ James 1:2 4
The book of James points out to us the balance of teaching which we began to see in our introduction 2 weeks ago. The first priority for the church...for those who are under the Lordship of Christ..is that Christians must look after themselves. Not in self centeredness...but in moving ourselves toward the goal of maturity.
This is what James strikes away at right from the beginning. The goal for us, as Christians, is to become mature in the faith...not lacking in anything. And the pathway to that maturity is through testing and trials. Now that alone is enough to get many to dislike the book of James right off the bat. But it gets even worse because he says the rocky road that we travel on this journey to maturity is to be one of joy.
Now I don't know about you...but I don't get a great deal of joy from going through difficult times. And this whole idea of joy...pure joy when facing trials sounds a little crazy. I can understand the idea of not letting troubles destroy us...but to consider it pure joy...that can seem like a little much.
But James is not saying we should have some kind of superficial party when adversity comes...or that we should plaster a fake smile on our faces to look religious to the world when we're hurting deeply inside. But he does say that we should consider it pure joy because there's something here that is greater...something very important taking place that is for our benefit.
Now in verse 2, where it says trials of many kinds...it means just that. Anything and everything that can happen would fit into this category. And James seems to hit the nail on the head because this is an accurate picture of life in the '90's where anything and everything negative than can happen often does! AMEN?
James is a realist when he recognizes the fact that trials of every shape and size will come...but along with that is the conviction that there is a meaning behind all these experiences. And to James, it's these trials that hold the clue to the meaning of life.
But this meaning of life is not a clue that James uncovered after years of research and study...this is a truth that was common knowledge to all Christians...at least as he sees it. In verse 3 he says, "Because you know " C'mon, you know that!
So what is the vital truth that we are to rely on to help us as we face our trials? There are 3 statements that stick out of verses 3 & 4 that will show us some very important truths. (Read verses 3 4)
First...in the trials of life our faith is being tested for genuineness. Our faith is being put to the test. But it's important to realize that this is not referring to the faith we have that somehow our circumstances will change for the better. He's not talking about faith for individual trials or difficulties. James is talking about our Christianity...our faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
And James takes for granted that the natural effect of trials is to put a real strain on our ability to keep our faith and trust in God. We've all met people who would agree with the words of one elderly man who said this, "I used to go to church, but 5 years ago my wife and my only daughter died within 6 months of each other. After that it didn't seem worth the bother."
This kind of statement is repeated all too often by people all around us whose faith collapsed because of some great sorrow...or pain...or disappointment...or whatever. We say that we believe that God is our Heavenly Father, who loves us and cares for us....but as long as we remain untested on that point our belief falls short of a strong, steady conviction.
But what happens when the day comes...and it will...when our circumstances seem to mock everything we say we believe...when life gets so cruel and God seems a million miles away... when we pray and cry out for a God who doesn't seem to hear or even care.
It's during these trying times that life's trials test our faith to see if it's real...if it's genuine. It's then that we will prove whether we take God at His word...like when He says He will never leave us nor forsake us.
Secondly...James insists that we already know that such testing is designed to bring about a strong consistency. The experience of having your faith tested produces perseverance. And this is something very important for a Christian...being steadfast...being consistently strong in their faith.
I think we can see a good illustration of this in the marriage relationship. Young couples, when they first are attracted to each other...and they "fall in love"...are so easily convinced that they are truly meant for each other...and that they'll have a life long partnership...they'll life happily ever after.
But at that point in their relationship, this is nothing more than a matter of opinion...and one that is a whole lot more tentative than they would ever realize or admit. But very soon their belief that they're meant for each other will face a whole variety of tests.
It could be the attraction of other possible partners...or the growing realization that their individual likes and dislikes will never be compatible without some serious adjustments. It never ceases to amaze me how many couples will say...shortly after they are married...that this couldn't possibly be the same person they married.
There are other trials...such as in law problems...finances...accidents or failing health. The troubles will come. But it's as these testings are endured that the relationship itself becomes more durable...and it's through this process that the belief that they were meant to marry becomes a settled conviction. And this same process will continue on throughout their marriage.
They have pledged themselves to forsake all other partnerships for life...and in the course of their life together...as they fight off temptations...or determine together to save their marriage during a period of dryness or difficulty...or just facing together all the normal, everyday hassles of life...their minds slowly but surely become weaned away from any thought of infidelity.
What began as a tentative belief has now become an unchangeable, constant fact. So many times I've heard couples say that after all they've been through together...nothing short of death could ever separate them. They've been through too much to quick now! And that is the perseverance James is speaking of.
But while marriage is a good example of perseverance...what James is speaking of is a call to consistent living for Christ. The problem we have in this church and in churches all around the world is a fluctuation in our loyalty. We do okay for a while...until we get mad about something...or we get hurt...or we get lazy.
How many of you women like it when hunting season comes and all of a sudden you seldom see you husband. He's so caught up with it that things he should be doing get put off. His time, energies, and money seem to get diverted away from what he says is most important in life. And it could be the same with sports or other seasonal hobbies.
That's probably how God feels every summer when our loyalty and commitment take a sudden shift. Our attendance drops because there are so many places we'd rather be than sitting in church on a hot, sunny day. That is a test of our faith every bit as much as any other we've mentioned.
And we can see from James that the trials of life are God's testings. They may come from outside...through circumstances or people...or, as we'll see later, they may come from that sinful nature we all have living inside us. But regardless of where they originate, they are God's designed way forward to maturity. It's only by meeting and passing it's tests that our faith becomes consistent.
And that brings us to the third statement...it's through perseverance that we grow to full maturity. This word perseverance...or steadfastness in some translations, is really what brings this all together. James illustrates it well later on...and I think it expresses the characteristic of Job.
We all remember that story...and we often refer to the patience of Job, which is the way some translation say it. But there is much more involved in this word, and in the life of Job, than just some sort of passive acceptance of things. We somehow think of Job just sitting around while all these terrible things happen to him.
But the word James uses, and is used of Job, is an active word. It's a word that means "staying power or endurance...or maybe sticktuitiveness." This isn't speaking of one who says, "Well, there's nothing I can do about it so I may as well just lay here and take it."
It's more like, "Well, I'm surely up a'gin it...but there's nothing that my God and I can't handle...it's nothing that is going to destroy my faith and trust...or even my joy....because no matter what happens to the outside, the inside is safe in the arms of my Savior. That's what James is talking about. GLORY TO GOD!
And it's important to note the second word of verse 4...(READ) "must finish it's work" shows us the importance of this thought. James is bringing us a word of caution. A believer might endure for a while, but then get tired of enduring. And when this happens the desired growth to maturity is stopped in it's tracks.
There has to be a persistency...we have to keep on going till the end. There will never be maturity unless we keep on going...keep on enduring...keep on through the trials and difficulties and do it with the joy of the Lord! That's maturity!
Maturity is not something that comes automatically with age. We all know people who are up in years and yet are as immature as any adolescent ever was. Right? Some kids never grow up! And it's the same with Christians.
I know people in various churches that have been saved for 40 50 years..or more. But in spite of that...in spite of the fact that they've been faithful in attendance...they are no more mature in their faith...biblically mature, than some who have only been saved for a fraction of the time.
Surviving is not a key to maturity...but obedience to the Word of God is. And we are called to a persistent endurance.. It is a long, hard road at times, but what a glorious destination awaits us....Hallelujah!
And what is that destination? No, not heaven, not yet. That we may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. That, my friends, is a picture of total fullness...of total fulfillment. This word complete is an awesome word to me. The word is holokleros, and it means to possess every part which goes into making the complete work.
James is saying we can possess all we need to live the Christian life....that we won't be lacking in anything. HALLELUJAH! This is when a Scripture like Philippians 4:19 "And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" becomes not just a far off promise...but a present reality.
Maturity and completeness is when Philippians 4:13 which says, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength" also becomes a present reality in our lives. And when we realize this...we can surely count it all joy, even when the most difficult of times come our way.
Perseverance is the key to maturity and completeness. James should change our way of thinking when it comes to trials and testings. He actually gives us a prescription for good spiritual health.
Now, a doctor who could diagnose an illness but either couldn't or wouldn't prescribe anything to cure the problem, would probably find his waiting room deserted. It's not much good to know what's wrong if you can't find a way to fix it.
So far, James has diagnosed our condition...we suffer from many kinds of trials. He has also given us some details about the course of treatment for such a case...a course of testings...strong consistency...and persistence. But now we really need to ask, "Doctor James, what should we do?"
His prescription is simple...Count It All Joy! Now, each word...each ingredient in the prescription is important. The verb count or consider refers to the importance that we give to something. And he uses the verb form which means being precise, definite, or decisive about something.
In a nut shell it means to have a firm, settled conviction. To know beyond a shadow of a doubt. If I say to someone, like Greg for instance, I know I can count on you to give me a hand with a problem I'm having....it means I've settled in my mind the matter of his trustworthiness. I can count on him.
To count or consider it pure joy means that we have a settled conviction that this test or trial is something that God has well under control and is fully capable of bringing it to completion in a way that will be for my benefit and ultimate good.
The small word it.."consider it"...sums up every one of the many trials that we may be going through now...every one that the future may bring...and even any of the past that may be stored in our memory.
Every single one of them is represented by this simple little word. There is no trial...no great adversity or small pressure...no overwhelming sorrow or little irritation in all of life that is outside the plan of God....and it's meant to be a stepping stone to glory.
And for this reason we count it as joy...pure joy. Not because it is joyful in itself...but because it will later yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness. In James words...it is the only way forward to become mature and complete, lacking in nothing.
James is attempting to cross the stronghold of our minds and capture the way we think. James says we are to consider it pure joy...but is that what we do? If we are to line ourselves up with Scripture ...then a whole new revolution in thinking must take place.
The road James leads us on is both uphill and thorny...the benefits he promises are not won easily...and the progress we make will only bring more of the same. But...if God's word is true...it is our duty to reform our thinking to conform to His word.
It is our privilege to do so. This is the way our Savior went. He traveled a long, rough road that led to Calvary...but it didn't end there...it ended in glory! If that is the way the Master went...is that not the way we should travel as well?
This morning I'm sure there are those who are facing some trials or testings...and it is anything but a joy to you. There are others who have faced some in the past and have never quite gotten over it...and it cost you your joy. All of us, I'm sure, will face even more difficulties in the future.
James is calling us to a new way of thinking when it comes to trials and temptations. He's calling us to a way of life that will bring us through to maturity and completeness. It's a call to recognize that our faith in Jesus Christ is being tested.
But in spite of whatever comes our way...we can consider it pure joy because we know that He who began a good work in you, will be faithful to complete it...if we just trust in Him. We need to pray and ask God to make the promises of His Word more than just something we would hope for...but to make it a present reality in our lives.
Consider it pure joy...knowing that He is always right there beside us...every step of the way.
