James 1:12-18 The Testing of Faith, pt.2

James 1:2-11 Recap

What is faith? (the knowledge of, trust in, and commitment to Jesus Christ that is required for salvation.)

What are works? (human actions undertaken in obedience to God.)

What are trials? (General sufferings and challenges a Christian experiences.)

What is joy? (A consistent experience of gladness)

What is steadfastness? (Patient endurance)

What is wisdom (Knowledge applied?)

What is our main idea for James?

Enduring Trials & Faith (v.12)

James 1:12 ESV

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Blessed: gracious favor from God (fortunate)

Being blessed reflects the understanding that a person who walks in the paths set by the Lord sees trials in light of God’s glorious and sure Kingdom. Our trials seem very small in light of God’s forever reign and rule.

Why should we endure trials? The end reward is sure: the crown of life.

We are fortunate to trust in and look to God while we patiently endure trials, knowing His eternal Kingdom awaits us.

Temptations & Faith (v.13-15)

James 1:13 ESV

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.

James 1:14 ESV

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.

James 1:15 ESV

Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Trials: General sufferings/challenges a Christian experiences.

Sometimes, this comes from God. (Job, Joseph, Daniel, Moses, Isaiah, Paul…start here to see biblical evidence.)

Temptation: enticement to sin

Synonym: attempt, prove, put to the test

There is clear separation here: God gives favor to His people, never enticing you to sin.

Temptation comes from within ourselves. We are ever prone to be enticed by our own desire, but God never gives sinful desires (i.e. temptations) to us.

God’s Gifts & Faith (v.16-18)

James 1:16 ESV

Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.

James 1:17 ESV

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

James 1:18 ESV

Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

What then, does God give? Trials and gifts. Tests and awards. Hardship and treasure.

God never changes; God’s gifts will never change.

What are God’s gifts? The crown of life, the blessings in life, but also the day to day trials that bring us closer to Him.

“I have learned to kiss the waves that throw me up against the Rock of Ages.” - Charles Spurgeon

You may say, “this all sounds really overwhelming and really costly”, and my answer is “yes, and for you to recognize that is amazing!”

Jesus calls us to Himself by His grace alone, and He gives us Himself and grace to go through life how He has designed us to.

“Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth”. God, of His own will, has brought us forth by His own words. We can trust this God who never changes with our whole lives to do what He has set before us.

Main idea: Faith works.

My faith will be tested. I will respond to these trials with steadfastness, joy and wisdom. I will remember the knowledge of Jesus, I will trust in Jesus, and I will commit to follow Jesus Christ in any trial. I will experience temptations that come from myself, but I will flee from my own enticement to sin. I desire to turn from temptation and I will devote myself to knowing and being known by Jesus Christ.