The path of life isn’t an easy path to walk. It’s filled with all kinds of trials; like sickness and disease, accidents, disappointments, sufferings and death and also all the trials we go through concerning sin and being seduced. What we need is a guaranteed way to conquer all the trials of life. That is what the first few verses in the book of James is all about. There is a way to conquer and triumph in this life no matter how severe the trial and that is by having a spirit of joy and perseverance as we face each trial and temptation. Turn with me to James 1 as we begin.
READ vv. 1-2. It’s a fact that we are going to have many trials and temptations. I know we don’t see it as such but the temptations and trials of life are beneficial to us. They are permitted by God for a good purpose. Why is that? What is the purpose? To make us stronger and purer.
When we conquer trials, we become wiser and purer. We become a stronger person, more steadfast and persevering. When we stand up against trials, we become a dynamic witness to all those who see us. We demonstrate the power of Christ. When you’re going through a crisis, after it’s all done and everything falls back into place, don’t you get that feeling of accomplishment? You conquered it. You now are experienced in that trial if it ever occurs again and now you are equipped to help others that might be going through a similar trial.
God wants us to face the temptations and trials of life and to conquer them, and by conquering them to become much more like Christ and to make Christ more fully known to the world.
Another thing to notice in verse 2 is that James says we will fall into all kinds of temptations and trials. The Greek language gives us the picture of being surrounded by all these trials. So, even though there will be many kinds of trials and temptations, we need to remember that no matter what it is that attacks us, it is for our good and for our benefit. It’s to help us. It’s to make us more like Jesus.
Remember to 2 Cor. 4:17 which tells us, “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,”
Peter wrote and said in 1 Peter 4:14, “If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”
READ vv.2-4. The attitude needed to face the trials and temptations of life goes against everything that the world teaches us. The attitude we are to have is JOY. We are to face every trial and temptation with a spirit of joy. How is that possible? How can we be joyful when life crashes in on us?
You find out you or someone you know has cancer or has lost a loved one. How can we be joyful? When a nagging temptation hurls itself upon us time and time again and we are worn out from fighting it, how can we be joyful through that?
Joy is not what usually fills our heart when we face these things. When severe trials come our way, too often we become discouraged and feel defeated. Most of us certainly don’t have joy.
There’s only way to face trials with a spirit of joy. We have to switch our thinking. We have to turn our attitude about trials and temptations completely around. We have to quit thinking negatively and think positively. In the words of Scripture, we must know something and we must do something.
First, we must KNOW that trials and temptations develop perseverance. READ v. 3. We must know that trials and temptations are not to defeat and discourage us, but to make us stronger and more pure and righteous. Perseverance means to be steadfast and to endure. They will actually make us more like Jesus. And when we think about it THAT way, we can automatically be more positive in how we approach the trials of life.
But not only must we KNOW something, we must DO something. We must let this perseverance finish its work within us. In the original Greek language, the word used for “perseverance” means more that just bearing and putting up with the trials. It means more than taking things easy, and being calm and relaxing during stressful times. It means to keep on persevering, never giving in. It means putting forth the effort and energy to conquer and gain the victory over that trial.
So, what James is saying is that if we face each trial or temptation with the attitude of joy, that we can not only persevere through it, but conquer it and become stronger and more like Christ.
So, when we look at our trials as opportunities to become more like Jesus, then we will begin to face them in joy. And when we begin to persevere and conquer them, then we will begin to walk through them in the joy of the Lord.
James says later on in verse 12, “Blessed is a 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.”
And when it comes to the temptation in our lives, remember that “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” 1 Cor. 10:13
And a wonderful thing happens when we persevere these trials and temptations. A person becomes more perfect or mature. I know some of you might think you are as perfect as perfect can be. I’m not talking about perfect in the sense of becoming a perfect person.
The Greek word used here for perfect means fit, mature, fully grown at a particular stage of growth. For example, a fully grown child is a perfect child; he or she has reached their childhood and achieved the purpose of childhood. It doesn’t mean perfection of character, that is, being without sin. It is a maturity of godliness.
When a person stands against trials and temptations and conquers them, they grow in maturity for the purpose God intended. That is, they become a little more like Jesus.
So, day by day, and trial by trial, a person becomes more complete—more and more like Jesus. As the last three words of verse 4 say, “not lacking anything.” The person wo faces trials and temptations in the joy of Christ conquers all, and he doesn’t lack anything.
That person walks through life triumphing over all the trials of life, no matter how severe and stressful. It may even be death. But James is saying that the person who confronts all these trials with the joy of the Lord, can also stand fast and even conquer death. And God rewards him with an eternity of perfection, completion, and fulfillment. That believer is conformed to the perfection of Jesus Christ.
So, James tells us tonight that trials help to conform us into the image that God wants us to be—more like Christ. Is it tough? Sometimes. Do we get bumped and bruised a little along the way? Sometimes.
There is a Chinese proverb that says, "A gem is not polished without rubbing, nor a man made better without trials."
Sure, it doesn't feel good to go through abrasive moments of trials and problems. Sometimes they are recurring. Remember this; life is full of rubbing shoulders and exchanging words. Every time life would seem to cut you and grind you, it means God is working in you to make you a better you.
An elderly lady in the nursing home, had a copy of this little poem. I ask you to ponder these words:
DON’T QUIT (author unknown)
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re traveling seems all uphill,
When the funds are low, and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
REST IF YOU MUST, BUT DON’T YOU QUIT.
Life is strange with all its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometime learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won if he stuck it out;
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another blow.
Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver lining of the clouds of doubt,
You never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So, stick to the fight when you are hardest hit,
It’s when things seem worse, THAT YOU MUST NOT QUIT!
