Three Things We May Know
Notes
Transcript
Life on earth holds many “what ifs.” There is much that is unknown and undecided. This leads to worry and fear, or at best frustrated expectations. But God doesn’t want us to live in either condition! In this morning’s text, we find three wonderful truths that we can KNOW. This knowledge brings stability.
James 1:1-8
I. Tested Faith is Reason for Rejoicing (vs. 1-4)
I. Tested Faith is Reason for Rejoicing (vs. 1-4)
Why are the saints still here on the earth? So that God may complete His work with us and in us.
And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
This is God’s objective for our mortal lives. It brings Him glory. Therefore, when we grasp the bedrock, immoveable truths that govern our lives, we may rejoice, no matter the circumstances!
A. Intentional counter-intuition (vs. 1-2)
A. Intentional counter-intuition (vs. 1-2)
My brethren — James wasn’t aloof from the trials!
Count it — this is different from “feel it.” The Christian life is intentional and purposeful, not accidental.
All — every part, collectively and individually (Rom. 8:28)
Joy — this is great gladness!
What does this joy look like? Here are other examples of the word in Scripture.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Is this the kind of joy we experience when we fall into divers temptations? Probably not very often. But we should.
When — not if!
Ye — every single one of you. There’s no escaping it.
Divers temptations
Divers = various, diversified. These temptations are trials and tests. Tests about what? What are the stakes? It’s always a test of whether we will do right, or whether we will do wrong. (What we call “trials” and what we might call “enticements” are at the root the same thing: they present us with a choice to do right or wrong. But after this, they are very different!)
Fall into
What is significant about falling into temptations? Consider Christ’s words:
Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
We’re supposed to watch and pray to avoid temptation, but we’re also supposed to rejoice in temptation? But notice the verb difference: “fall” vs. “enter.” This is significant! “Enter” is voluntary, “fall” is involuntary. Temptation will happen to us, but WHY they happen makes all the difference!
Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!
Just as offenses are unavoidable, so are temptations. They will happen to us, and if they come to us—we “fall into” them—then we may rejoice, because God has allowed it for a wonderful purpose. But if we “enter into” them voluntarily, we ought to be alarmed! That is when sin usually wins the battle.
James was aware of this. He had experienced it himself, and he was encouraging his brethren to rejoice when the various kinds of trials and temptations came upon them. This is counter-intuitive, but rejoicing is possible because there is something that we may KNOW.
B. Untried faith is incomplete faith (vs. 3-4)
B. Untried faith is incomplete faith (vs. 3-4)
Faith that has not been tested and forged, is incomplete. There is unrealized potential! That is not God’s intention, and so He plans for it to be tested.
Knowing this — knowledge is what gets us through trials. Trials introduce much uncertainty, which brings fear and discouragement. (“How will this end? What will this cost me?”) We need knowledge… knowledge of God, knowledge of truth, knowledge of sin’s destruction, etc. And knowing that trying one’s faith brings blessing is what will bring us joy. (This “knowledge” is personal, thorough understanding. It’s not mere intellectual assent.)
The trying of your faith worketh patience — it’s inevitable! It MUST happen, because God said it would.
Patience: endurance, steadfastness, continuance. Without patience, we give up quickly. With it, we continue, we endure, we are faithful. Without patience, the steward cannot please God! (“Moreover it is required in stewards...” 1 Cor. 4:2)
But let patience have her perfect work…wanting nothing
Of course, “Patience” isn’t some mysterious power; it is God at work. He works perfectly, in just the right way, at just the right time, to bring about everything that we need. When we patiently endure tests and temptations, God is able to complete us and prepare us for Heaven. That’s one of the main purposes He has for the life of each saint!
One thing we may know, and can rely on: tested faith is reason for rejoicing. If we have our eyes focused on eternity, we’ll be able to appreciate the completing work that God is doing. He is concerned most about spiritual things; may we be just as concerned with them!
II. The Trusting Request for Wisdom WILL Be Granted (vs. 5-6)
II. The Trusting Request for Wisdom WILL Be Granted (vs. 5-6)
One difficult thing about prayer is that we may not know if it’s best for God to answer it. So we retreat to merely requesting things with a “no obligation” attitude. (“Can I have this? It’s OK if you say no.”) This can affect us in making our prayer life more casual. (Why invest more in a request if He’ll probably say no? Just ask for it and move on. If He says yes, it’s a bonus.) But what a blessing when we can pray for something, and KNOW that God will answer it!
If…lack wisdom — we regularly lack this, but meeting the need begins with us recognizing the lack!
Let him ask of God — Go to the right source of wisdom!
That giveth…liberally…upbraideth not...
We are often scared to admit our shortcomings to others. We fear meager help, or a guilt trip. But God 1) already knows our need, 2) isn’t stingy with wisdom, and 3) doesn’t scold us for needing wisdom! What a kind and loving God He is!
It SHALL be given him — do we know this? Since actions speak louder than words…do our prayers demonstrate that we know this?
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering — this is the key. God has stated where He stands. Will we believe His words and His intentions?
Waver = to vacillate back and forth; to fluctuate.
For he that wavereth...
The waves are at the mercy of the elements. A wavering Christian is at the mercy of his circumstances. This is a far cry from rejoicing at divers temptations!
III. The Steadfast Christian Will See Many Answered Prayers (vs. 7-8)
III. The Steadfast Christian Will See Many Answered Prayers (vs. 7-8)
The wavering Christian will not receive “any thing” from the Lord. Why? Because he doesn’t stick around long enough to receive it. He is double-minded (vs. 8), showing that his values, his convictions, and his treasure (Matt. 6:21) change regularly. One day, he is God’s servant. The next day, he is serving self. He follows Biblical doctrine, then he discards it. True faith is dependence on God. If you are depending on other things, your faith is lacking. The double minded man cannot decide what he trusts most. And so, he ends up providing for himself, instead of trusting God for it. And so God doesn’t give him the things he needs, including wisdom and patience. The unwavering Christian does not trust himself or anyone else for strength and support and provision. He trusts only God. He waits on God, he bows before God with his supplication, and he puts his faith in God. And God never disappoints. (Heb. 11:6)
Do we see how these three things are so closely intertwined? The faithful Christian is watching and praying, but tests and temptations still come upon him as he walks this sin-cursed earth. However, he is not defeated or dismayed, because he KNOWS that the trying of his faith works patience, and patience will prepare him for Heaven! However, he’s not always sure what to do in his trials, and how to navigate them in a Godly manner. He needs wisdom! Thankfully, he KNOWS that God gives generous and cheerful portions of wisdom to ALL who ask Him for it in faith. And so, this rejoicing but needy Christian falls down before God, begging for the wisdom he desperately needs, knowing that his only hope is in God. There is no other true source of help in all the universe! With this commitment to trusting only God for help, the Christian in his trial KNOWS that God will hear his prayer, God will give him wisdom and much more, and his trial WILL perform God’s intended purpose of readying him for Heaven. With all this in mind, the Christian REJOICES at his diverse trials!
Do we know these three things? Do we do them?
If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.