Can You Trust Your Faith?
James 1:2-8
Someone once said, “A faith that can’t be tested can’t be trusted.” That is precisely what God’s Word is telling us in our text. James is encouraging us to understand that faith must be, and will be tested.
But let’s think for a minute how we respond when God tests us. Warren Weirsbe said, “Outlook determines outcome, and attitude determines action. God tells us to expect trials. It is not ‘if you fall into various testings’ but ‘when you fall into various testings.’ The believer who expects his Christian life to be easy is in for a shock.”
Jesus said in John 16:33, “In the world you shall have tribulation.” Paul told the church that “we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22)
Folks we are going to have tests and trials here on earth. Often for our own good sometimes we have tragedies happen and those are not meant to harm us, they come because we live in a fallen world. Sin and death are part of this world but they will not be part of heaven.
This is why we see the unusual expression, “count it all joy.” When my car breaks down, our when someone says something mean to me I don’t always feel like saying, boy that makes me happy.
James tells us as believers to rejoice, not because the pain is pleasant but because we should have a perspective which looks beyond the present life to eternal reward.
The pure joy is not a present happiness, but joy in anticipation of God’s future.
Remember Paul said in Romans 8:17-18, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs-- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (NIV)
As we think of what Jesus went through for us how can we compare what we go through for Him? When we think of Heaven and the glory we share in, how can we compare our testing to eternity with Christ?
Let me ask you knowing heaven awaits us, can we trust God? Then considering what God has done to bring us home can we trust our faith to get us there?
With that said today, let me give you two reasons that our faith is tested.
God wants to give us:
I. A Faith that Enlarges Us—James 1:2-4, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (NKJ)
I often pray God make me better than what I am. God is still working on me and really I should add to my prayer and God make me bigger in faith than what I am.
Let’s say right off that it is not us on trial it is our faith that is on trial. A lady called a pastor that had a phone in Radio program. He was a wise older pastor who had a very reassuring voice. The lady was crying. She said, “Pastor, I was born blind. I don’t mind being blind, but I have been told by some Christian friends, that if I had more faith God would heal me.”
The pastor said, “Ma’am, do you have one of those white canes?”
She said, “Yes, I do.”
He said, “Then the next time someone tells you that hit them over the head with the cane, and tell them if they had more faith that wouldn’t hurt.”
Tests in the school of faith are not electives they are required courses. Notice 3 tests of faith here:
A. A Test to Move Us—““My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,” (v.2) The Bible doesn’t say if you fall into trials, it says WHEN. This aspect of a test is to jolt us out of the comfortable, places we fall into. They provoke a reaction and often times cause us to increase our faith.
The word trial in the NKJV and NIV, or temptations in the KJV means to try or prove, to provoke or discipline. Has God ever taken you to the woodshed? He does this to discipline or to prove our faith. Does God really work all things together for good?
This type of test proves if we really believe and trust God. It moves us onward and upward in our faith. These tests are various, or different depending on what it will take to get our attention. Just as disciplines vary when raising children so does discipline vary with God’s children.
Ladies and gentlemen just because it hasn’t happen to us in our faith doesn’t mean that other person doesn’t have as much faith as we do. God varies the test to what we need and what we can handle.
B. A Test to Mellow Us—“ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” (v.3) Don’t you just love that word patience? It just seems to roll off the tongue well. The word patience means, endurance, cheerful or constant. The idea of this test is to humble us or slow us down to learn to wait on God.
We live in a world that has no idea what it means to wait for anything. Sometimes we need to slow down, sit down and be quiet. The Bible clearly teaches us to wait. God said in Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (NKJ) Sometimes God has to remind us we are not in control and we are not God.
Gladys Aylward, a missionary to China more than 50 years ago, was forced to flee when the Japanese invaded Yangcheng. But she couldn’t leave her work behind. With only one assistant, she led over a hundred orphans over the mountains to safety. During the journey she struggled with her faith in God. No sleep for days she faced a morning with no hope they would reach safety.
A 13 yr. old girl reminded her of how much the children loved the story of Moses and how he delivered the children of Israel to safety. Gladys said, “But I am not Moses.”
The little girl said, “Of course you’re not, but Jehovah is still God.” (The Hidden Price of Greatness, Besson and Hunsicker.)
He also reminds us that waiting is good for us. The Bible says in Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (KJV)
C. A Test to Mature Us—“ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (v.4) God wants to make us patient because through patience comes a mature faith. Through a mature faith comes every other blessing. Patience must be learned. It does not come from a movie we can rent, or reading a book, or even listening to this sermon. Patience comes through struggles and difficulties to develop our character.
But notice with me a small but very powerful word in v.4—“let” God cannot build character without our cooperation. He is a perfect gentlemen, He will not force His will on us. We have to submit to His will so He can complete His work for us.
The only survivor of a shipwreck washed up on shore on a small uninhabited island. He prayed day and night that God would rescue him. Every day he looked out but no help was in sight. Exhausted he managed to build a little hut to protect him from the elements, and to store the few possessions he had. One day while he was scavenging for food a storm blew in and lightening struck his hut and burned it to the ground. The man yelled God how could you let this happen?
The next day a boat came ashore to rescue him. The man said, how did you know I was here? They said we saw your smoke signal.
We might not know why the storm comes, but God knows what He is doing.
**5-8**
A Faith that Enlarges Us
II.A Faith that Enlightens Us—James 1:5-8 Why do we need wisdom when we go through tests and trials? Warren Weirsbe said, “We need wisdom so we will not waste the opportunities God is giving us to mature. Wisdom helps us understand how to use these circumstances for our good and God’s glory.”
Tests can be confusing. The question that always arises when we go through trials is why? It was the first question Job asked in Job chapter one. God allows the test to make us wise in our walk.
A. Wisdom Required—“If any of you lacks wisdom.” (v.5a) A person can be very smart and not be wise. A person can also have worldly wisdom and have no spiritual wisdom. The principle behind this type of wisdom is Godly wisdom. Learning what God’s will is and what He wants to do in our lives. We all need Godly wisdom.
B. Wisdom Requested—“let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach,” (v.5b) The word ask means to ask for something to be given. The word is commonly used for an inferior to receive from a Superior.
Liberally means without bargaining. God says here you ask and I will give it. It also means God gives wisdom unconditionally and generously. God has no favorites. He will give wisdom to everyone and anyone who asks.
C. Wisdom Received—“and it will be given to him.” (v.5c) It will be given. God does not scold us when we fail or mock us when we do something dumb. God gives wisdom to all who seek it.
The first place we are to look for God’s wisdom is in His Word. God often answers our prayer through the reading of this blessed book. The law of Moses had 613 commandments many of them still relevant today. We have the book of Proverbs and many other great principles found in Scripture if we would just take the time to get to know God.
A story is told of a recluse that died in his little shack in the mountains of Colorado. Distant relatives came from the city and searched the cabin for some sort of inheritance. They found cooking pots, a cracked three legged table, a kerosene lamp and a few other odds and ends. They could see no use for anything so they decided to leave.
A friend of the old man came by and asked if he could have anything that was left. They said it’s really no use to us, take everything. As they drove away the old man lifted up the table and pulled up the lose floor boards where the man had hid all the gold he had found in those mountains. The friend looked out the window as the car rode out of sight and said, “I sure wish they would have taken the time to get to know Him.”
That’s how it is with God. It takes time in reading and studying His Word and so few people ever spend their time wisely to get he wealth of wisdom God has for us.
D. Wisdom Refused—(v.6-8)
Doubt to faith is like kryptonite to superman. Billy Graham said, “All doubt comes from the Devil.” This is not belief or unbelief. Belief says YES unbelief says NO. Doubt comes along and says YES one minute and NO the next. It is like a cork bouncing up and down on the ocean tossed back and forth.
It’s like taking a daisy and pulling off the pedals and saying God loves me, He loves me not. God says ask in faith. Believe me and I’ll do it. Trust me and settle the fact that even though you can’t see me, I’m in your corner.
I heard a story about a defense attorney that was giving his closing argument. He was defending a man on trial for murder. However, they had never found the body of the missing man. The attorney said, they have no body but I know where the man is. Any second now he’s going to walk through that door. A minute goes by and the attorney said, actually I made up what I just said, but I noticed all of you men and women of the jury looked at the door, and that is reasonable doubt.
The jury went out and came back in 15 minutes with a guilty verdict. The attorney spoke to some of them after the trial and said I don’t understand all of you looked at the door, you must have had some doubt. They said, Yes we all looked at the door, but your client didn’t.
Folks we don’t have to guess if God is for us, He said He was. We don’t have to wonder if He loves us He said He did. And when we can’t see what He’s doing He still is working for our good.
Conclusion: Years ago I had a series of car troubles. Needless to say my patience was wearing thin. One car has been in the shop 4 times. My headlights in my truck one Wed. night decided to quit working. I’ve been driving my parent’s car and a low coolant light has been flashing even though the water is full. Thur. morning during Bible school I’m driving my parent’s car and a motor home didn’t see me and turned right into me. I pull into the gas station behind the motor home and I’m a little excited.
But then I thought I’m fine, the car only had a few scrapes and my folks are getting it painted anyway so what’s the big deal. The guy—sticks his head around the M.T. and I wave and say I’m fine it’s ok. He comes over apologizing, the other guy traveling with them comes over, we look at the car I say, its ok I wind up ministering to them. A young fella comes up and says aren’t you Rodney Coe. He just so happened to be at the gas pumps. Youth from another church, I was thinking it would be nice to run into you….smile said nice things…working sound and in the music dept. of another church. God orchestrated that fender, bender for that young man and I to see each other…What if I would have lost it? Tests will come and we can let make us better or bitter.
We can pout or doubt but why don’t we learn to shout. I don’t know about you but I’m learning to Count it all joy!!
PRAY
