James: Religion That Works
“The Common Struggle”
James 1:1-12
February 12, 2006
Introduction: Over the next several weeks we are going to be looking at the book of James and the practical message for our lives. As we begin this look at “Religion That Works,” let me begin by giving you a little background of this book.
1) Most likely written by James, the brother of Jesus. James served as the leader of the Jerusalem church.
2) Written to believers with a Jewish background. These are Jewish believers who have left Jerusalem because of persecution and have scattered across the known world at that time.
3) It is written to give some practical advice as to how to live the Christian life. It is not overtly theological, but is meant to be a practical guide.
4) The three major themes in the book that we will be covering are faith as the starting point for being a Christian, deeds which is a life of wholehearted obedience, and maturity which is the goal of our perfection in Christ.
Today we want to begin by looking at two areas that James addresses that are common to all believers. They are universal in their attack against us and they are probably the leading cause of the struggle in the Christian life.
I. The Reality of Trials
There are several truths we want to look at today and then we want to see how to deal with these in a Christ-like way.
Truth #1: Everyone experiences tough times.
“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,” James 1”1-2 (NIV)
James is writing to people who are displaced form their home because of their faith. He is writing to people who have lost everything. He is not diminishing their suffering, but trying to encourage them through it.
These people were Jewish believers who had now become the target of great difficulties. Look at the account of what was taking place:
“And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.” Acts 8:1-3 (NIV)
This is the account of Stephen being killed by the mob. Now, a persecution has risen up to destroy the followers of Christ. This is the backdrop against which James writes.
The trials of these early Christians were unlike any that we could imagine.
Truth #2: The trials of life require an attitude check.
James tells us to consider trials pure joy. Is there any trial in our lives that cannot be used to glorify God? Isn’t that the purpose of our lives as followers of Christ?
How do we as humans usually respond to trials? Fear, self-pity, anger and denial all are natural reactions. However, God has called us to live a “supernatural” life.
We need to see the trial as an opportunity for God to work.
That sounds great big and spiritual and maybe you say, “You can do that but not me.” I am not trying to suggest that this attitude is easy, but it is a path through the trial. God uses the trials of this life to change us in our deepest parts.
Truth #3: The trials of life have a purpose.
Look at the rest of this verse that James writes:
“because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:3-4
Look at how one author describes the spiritual dynamics of trials:
TRIAL TESTING PERSEVERANCE MATURITY
The trial leads to a greater depth of understanding of God.
It takes us to new places and allows us to experience new depths of insight into the character and nature of God.
What is meant by the words of this progression and how do they matter to us?
Trial- Usually refers to external circumstances beyond our control. Here it is specifically the persecution being suffered by the Christians of the day.
Testing- This is to determine the genuineness of the person’s faith. It is not to reveal knowledge, but to reveal character and trust.
Perseverance- It means those who possess perseverance do not give up hope that God is gong to rescue from the circumstance.
Maturity- The outcome of the trial is a “maturity” or “completeness” in Christ.
Trials in this life should draw us closer to Christ.
The ability to endure the circumstance is the evidence of maturity.
How do you see this work in your life? Well, here is how it has worked in mine.
Alana and I committed to serve Christ in our lives as our vocation. We never really considered doing anything else. But in that, there have been some very difficult times. Times in ministry where you feel like you are not accomplishing anything are tough. Times when people question your motives or your heart hurt at the deepest levels. And it has not always been easy to deal with. But, through it all, we have seen God work. We have seen him shape us through a refining process; we have seen him bring people into our lives that encourage us along; and we have experienced the joy of knowing that above everything else we have done all we could for Christ. Through the difficult times we have watched and seen how God has brought us to new depths of understanding of him. He has made us more like him and more trusting in him because we have seen him bring us through the trials of life.
How have you seen God show up? How has he impacted your life? Have the trials in your life drawn you closer to Christ or have you chosen to run farther from him?
II. The Process of Dealing with Trials
The first response we should have in our walk through the trial is to seek God.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 (NIV)
We may not understand the reason for the trials. But God has promised to give wisdom tot hose who seek after him.
Our natural reaction is to call out to God “Why?”
When the nation of Israel faced a great attack, they looked in the right place for guidance.
“O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." 2 Chronicles 20:12 (NIV)
We often find ourselves trying to find answers in ourselves and solutions in the human response. Maturity tells us to look to Christ.
Truth #1: When we seek God, we can trust his response.
This does not mean that God does what we want, but that he does what will grow us closer in him. That may be the most difficult thing to resign ourselves to as followers of Christ.
Note that James says God is not seeking out whose fault the trial is. He simply gives wisdom for us to proceed through the trial.
Truth #2: Believing is not positive thinking.
“But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:6
One struggle we have is that thought the God does not allow us to question or be afraid. God understands our humanness. He knows we do not think or act like him.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)
James is not referring to the thought that troubles us, but to the doubt of the soul that wonders if God is there or if he has abandoned us.
The person who has “soul doubt” is a person questioning the ability of God to deal with our circumstance.
“That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.” James 1:7-8 (NIV)
Truth #3: God rewards our perseverance.
James points out that reliance on material wealth is no guarantee of overcoming.
“The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.” James 1:9-11 (NIV)
Because of their circumstance many of the people James is writing have nothing. But he is trying to share with the m the idea that trusting in the things of this world to overcome your trials is not a solution to be sought.
The things of this world should not be our comfort because they will disappear.
Those who persevere in the face of trials and mature in their walk with Christ will be rewarded in spiritual blessings.
“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 (NIV)
There is reward for those who persevere. Put this together with the rest of the passage we have been looking at:
“Blessed is the man”- This is the reason for joy.
“who perseveres under trial”- You are blessed if you continue to trust in the midst of all sorts of trials.
“because when he has stood the test”- Trust the loving God as the trial grows your faith.
“he will receive the crown of life”- A promise that God will bless those who trust.
“that God has promised to those who love him”- The crown of life is assured by God Himself.
Conclusion: How are you approaching the trials in your life? Are you trying to avoid them or are you trying to persevere through them? The Common Struggle is that we are all going to face trials. The question is what are you going to be like on the other side?
