Scarred Hands and a Joyful Heart
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The year was 203 AD. In the Roman province of Africa called Carthage there was a vibrant Christian community. The Roman emperor had forbidden conversion to Christianity and the governor of Carthage enforced this law. Perpetua, Felicity and three fellow Christians were arrested. In clear violation of the emperor’s law, all five were catechumens, who are people preparing for baptism. Another Christian voluntarily joined the small group. The six Christians were put on trial but they refused to renounce their faith and were condemned to death in a Roman arena. Perpetua had come from a wealthy family. Her father was pagan but her mother and brothers were Christians. Perpetua had a nursing baby at the time of her arrest for confessing Christ, after nursing her baby for many days in prison she entrusted the baby to her family. Her father urged her to renounce her faith, for his sake, for her family and her baby. Even Roman authorities urged her to offer a simple sacrifice to Roman power. She refused. She would not renounce Christ as Lord, claiming that the name that belonged to her was follower of Christ. Felicity was a slave—and pregnant. Since Roman law prohibited the execution of pregnant women, her sentence was delayed. Felicity gave birth in prison to a baby girl that would be adopted by her fellow Christians. When prison guards wondered how she would handle facing beasts in the arena, especially so soon after her child’s birth, she responded, “Right now my sufferings are only mine. But when I face the beasts there will be another who will live in me, and will suffer for me since I will be suffering for Him.” These two women from different classes showed strength, determination, and, remarkably, even joy at the prospects of public humiliation and suffering. Several times they refused offers of acquittal and ignored pleas to save themselves. Together they clung to a heavenly hope, and to each other, for endurance through the ordeal. Rather than submit to Roman demands, they asked to be baptized while in prison. Perpetua stated, “The dungeon is to me a palace.” Amazingly, when Perpetua was told beasts would devour her, she and her companions returned to prison in high spirits at the idea of death for the glory of God. Perpetua bravely held Felicity in her arms, anticipating their death together as sisters in Christ. Once in the arena a bull’s horns quickly wounded Felicity, and the crowd wanted the final death blow. Then, suddenly and inexplicably, the bull stood still. The crowd hushed. This animal was not following the script. Then the crowd roared with demands for blood and gladiators rushed forward to finish the work. Felicity died quickly. Perpetua was the picture of gracefulness in the center of chaos and blood. When the bull tossed her but did not hurt her, Perpetua’s hair came undone. She asked to be allowed to put her hair up because undone hair was a sign of mourning, but this was a day for triumph and joy. When Perpetua’s executioner hesitated, she herself helped guide his blade into her body. All of the martyrs’ bodies were left un-buried and guarded by soldiers. The Coliseum had never before seen such a spectacle. Such courage, grace and joyful suffering made a mark on the Romans. These Christians had stood together and died together. Many spectators of the event converted to Christianity as a result, including the governor of Rome. This true story is from the book Foxe’s: Voices of the Martyrs.
The year was 203 AD. In the Roman province of Africa called Carthage there was a vibrant Christian community. The Roman emperor had forbidden conversion to Christianity and the governor of Carthage enforced this law. Perpetua, Felicity and three fellow Christians were arrested. In clear violation of the emperor’s law, all five were catechumens, who are people preparing for baptism. Another Christian voluntarily joined the small group. The six Christians were put on trial but they refused to renounce their faith and were condemned to death in a Roman arena. Perpetua had come from a wealthy family. Her father was pagan but her mother and brothers were Christians. Perpetua had a nursing baby at the time of her arrest for confessing Christ, after nursing her baby for many days in prison she entrusted the baby to her family. Her father urged her to renounce her faith, for his sake, for her family and her baby. Even Roman authorities urged her to offer a simple sacrifice to Roman power. She refused. She would not renounce Christ as Lord, claiming that the name that belonged to her was follower of Christ. Felicity was a slave—and pregnant. Since Roman law prohibited the execution of pregnant women, her sentence was delayed. Felicity gave birth in prison to a baby girl that would be adopted by her fellow Christians. When prison guards wondered how she would handle facing beasts in the arena, especially so soon after her child’s birth, she responded, “Right now my sufferings are only mine. But when I face the beasts there will be another who will live in me, and will suffer for me since I will be suffering for Him.” These two women from different classes showed strength, determination, and, remarkably, even joy at the prospects of public humiliation and suffering. Several times they refused offers of acquittal and ignored pleas to save themselves. Together they clung to a heavenly hope, and to each other, for endurance through the ordeal. Rather than submit to Roman demands, they asked to be baptized while in prison. Perpetua stated, “The dungeon is to me a palace.” Amazingly, when Perpetua was told beasts would devour her, she and her companions returned to prison in high spirits at the idea of death for the glory of God. Perpetua bravely held Felicity in her arms, anticipating their death together as sisters in Christ. Once in the arena a bull’s horns quickly wounded Felicity, and the crowd wanted the final death blow. Then, suddenly and inexplicably, the bull stood still. The crowd hushed. This animal was not following the script. Then the crowd roared with demands for blood and gladiators rushed forward to finish the work. Felicity died quickly. Perpetua was the picture of gracefulness in the center of chaos and blood. When the bull tossed her but did not hurt her, Perpetua’s hair came undone. She asked to be allowed to put her hair up because undone hair was a sign of mourning, but this was a day for triumph and joy. When Perpetua’s executioner hesitated, she herself helped guide his blade into her body. All of the martyrs’ bodies were left un-buried and guarded by soldiers. The Coliseum had never before seen such a spectacle. Such courage, grace and joyful suffering made a mark on the Romans. These Christians had stood together and died together. Many spectators of the event converted to Christianity as a result, including the governor of Rome. This true story is from the book Foxe’s: Voices of the Martyrs.
This true story showing some of the trials of the Christians who have gone before us is beyond words to describe. How can Christians go through trials like these and many more with joy in their hearts and hymns on their lips? This story of Christians who bravely died for Christ so long ago is a great example for our text today which is about joy in the midst of trials.
This true story showing some of the trials of the Christians who have gone before us is beyond words to describe. How can Christians go through trials like these and many more with joy in their hearts and hymns on their lips? This story of Christians who bravely died for Christ so long ago is a great example for our text today which is about joy in the midst of trials.
James 1:1-4. “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
James 1:1-4. “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Before we dig in to our text today to see what we can learn from the Word, let’s look at the original context. Who was this was written to? Why it was written? What is the dispersion talked about in the text? To start off, let us answer who wrote this book and to whom was it written. Most scholars agree that the author was James the half-brother of Jesus. The letter of James is widely considered to be the first book written in the New Testament. This means that James was written and distributed even before the Gospel books. Due to the fact that gentiles are not mentioned at all in the letter and the first verse uses the words “twelve tribes” most agree that this letter was written to Jewish believers in Christ. At the time James was written the decision from the Church leaders to broadly evangelize the gentiles had not yet been made.
Before we dig in to our text today to see what we can learn from the Word, let’s look at the original context. Who was this was written to? Why it was written? What is the dispersion talked about in the text? To start off, let us answer who wrote this book and to whom was it written. Most scholars agree that the author was James the half-brother of Jesus. The letter of James is widely considered to be the first book written in the New Testament. This means that James was written and distributed even before the Gospel books. Due to the fact that gentiles are not mentioned at all in the letter and the first verse uses the words “twelve tribes” most agree that this letter was written to Jewish believers in Christ. At the time James was written the decision from the Church leaders to broadly evangelize the gentiles had not yet been made.
So what is this dispersion the text is talking about? The dispersion was a phrase used to describe the Jews who were scattered outside of Jerusalem by the Babylonian exile in 597 BC. Those Jews remained settled in foreign countries after the return from the Babylonian exile. The course of the apostolic preaching followed down the line of Jewish settlements caused by the dispersion. God used this punishment of the Jews almost 700 years earlier to spread the Gospel throughout the known world at the time shortly after Christ’s death on the cross.
So what is this dispersion the text is talking about? The dispersion was a phrase used to describe the Jews who were scattered outside of Jerusalem by the Babylonian exile in 597 BC. Those Jews remained settled in foreign countries after the return from the Babylonian exile. The course of the apostolic preaching followed down the line of Jewish settlements caused by the dispersion. God used this punishment of the Jews almost 700 years earlier to spread the Gospel throughout the known world at the time shortly after Christ’s death on the cross.
Finally why was this book written? Preceding our text today, Steven was martyred in Acts 7 and the persecution under Herod Agrippa 1 arose in Acts 12. Through these persecutions the majority of christians that were in Jerusalem fled to the surrounding bodies of Jews outside Jerusalem. In Acts 11:19 we read “Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews.” Following Stephen’s death, the members of the young church in Jerusalem were persecuted by the traditional Jewish religious leaders. The believers were scared and probably had lost some motivation, the new converts did not have any text to read and learn like we have in the new testament today, they only had oral teaching from those who brought them the Gospel. This letter was needed to teach them, guide them and motivate them.
Finally why was this book written? Preceding our text today, Steven was martyred in Acts 7 and the persecution under Herod Agrippa 1 arose in Acts 12. Through these persecutions the majority of christians that were in Jerusalem fled to the surrounding bodies of Jews outside Jerusalem. In Acts 11:19 we read “Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews.” Following Stephen’s death, the members of the young church in Jerusalem were persecuted by the traditional Jewish religious leaders. The believers were scared and probably had lost some motivation, the new converts did not have any text to read and learn like we have in the new testament today, they only had oral teaching from those who brought them the Gospel. This letter was needed to teach them, guide them and motivate them.
So now that we know what the context of this book is, lets take a closer look at what is being communicated here. This text takes no time in getting into very meaningful instruction and deep truths. Verse 2 says Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds. Now the word used here for “trials” has many meanings. This is not simply talking about being martyred or persecuted for displaying your faith. This word can refer to you being tested by God, tempted by satan or tempted by your own sinful desire. Trial can mean a situation around you or a struggle with your own thoughts.
So now that we know what the context of this book is, lets take a closer look at what is being communicated here. This text takes no time in getting into very meaningful instruction and deep truths. Verse 2 says Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds. Now the word used here for “trials” has many meanings. This is not simply talking about being martyred or persecuted for displaying your faith. This word can refer to you being tested by God, tempted by satan or tempted by your own sinful desire. Trial can mean a situation around you or a struggle with your own thoughts.
Trials that come upon you in your everyday life, those caused by accident or by the purposes of others. Right after we see the word “trials” in our text, the words “of various kinds” follow. Meaning we should expect to meet every kind of trial in this life we just talked about and we should consider it joy EVERYTIME we meet any kind of trial. Some will try to tell you that certain kinds of trials are attacks from the devil and we should not meet them with joy or when you tragically loose a loved one by the sinful actions of another, that in those cases there is just sin to blame and we should chock it up to tragedy without purpose.
Trials that come upon you in your everyday life, those caused by accident or by the purposes of others. Right after we see the word “trials” in our text, the words “of various kinds” follow. Meaning we should expect to meet every kind of trial in this life we just talked about and we should consider it joy EVERYTIME we meet any kind of trial. Some will try to tell you that certain kinds of trials are attacks from the devil and we should not meet them with joy or when you tragically loose a loved one by the sinful actions of another, that in those cases there is just sin to blame and we should chock it up to tragedy without purpose.
This brings us some questions. Is there purpose behind the trails in this life? Is God in control or are we at the mercy of what the world can throw at us? Why have joy in trials? How do I have joy in trials? I am going to answer all of these questions but the most important thing I want you to take away today is this: I want you to replace the idea of trials in your mind with the idea that these events are opportunities. That is really what we have brethren, opportunities to display Christ to those around us.
This brings us some questions. Is there purpose behind the trails in this life? Is God in control or are we at the mercy of what the world can throw at us? Why have joy in trials? How do I have joy in trials? I am going to answer all of these questions but the most important thing I want you to take away today is this: I want you to replace the idea of trials in your mind with the idea that these events are opportunities. That is really what we have brethren, opportunities to display Christ to those around us.
Is God in control or are we at the mercy of this sinful world? We know from the book of Job that satan had to ask permission from God to test Job. Even when permission was given, God decided the exact conditions by which satan could test Job. There was a hedge of protection around Job that satan could NOT get through. Even more shocking is that it was God who brought up Job not satan. God said “Have you considered my servant Job?” God is in complete control. If you are going through a trial know that it is because your loving Father in heaven has decided you can be tested. This is also a controlled test my brethren, you will not be tested beyond what you can bear. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says “No temptation (or trial) has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” The Lord brings you trails for your benefit, not your harm! Listen to these verses with me brothers and sisters. Psalm 66:10 “For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried.”
Is God in control or are we at the mercy of this sinful world? We know from the book of Job that satan had to ask permission from God to test Job. Even when permission was given, God decided the exact conditions by which satan could test Job. There was a hedge of protection around Job that satan could NOT get through. Even more shocking is that it was God who brought up Job not satan. God said “Have you considered my servant Job?” God is in complete control. If you are going through a trial know that it is because your loving Father in heaven has decided you can be tested. This is also a controlled test my brethren, you will not be tested beyond what you can bear. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says “No temptation (or trial) has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” The Lord brings you trails for your benefit, not your harm! Listen to these verses with me brothers and sisters. Psalm 66:10 “For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried.”
Isaiah 48:10 “Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.”
Isaiah 48:10 “Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.”
Malachi 3:2–3 “But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD.”
Malachi 3:2–3 “But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD.”
Zechariah 13:9 “And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’”
Zechariah 13:9 “And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’”
The process of refining silver was to heat up the raw ore containing the silver until it was molten liquid, the impurities would then rise up to the surface out of the molten rock and the refiner would blow the impurities off the top, leaving pure silver in the container. The fuller’s job was to clean wool from the sheep. The fuller would repeatedly and painstakingly beat the wool that was soaking in soapy water to knock the dirt off, then they would rinse and repeat until the wool was white as snow. God refers to Himself in these passages as the fire that refines and the soap that cleans. So now we see that it is clear, God is in control. Not luck or karma or random chance. So next time you encounter a trial remember God has allowed it on purpose. This is a divine task given to you.
The process of refining silver was to heat up the raw ore containing the silver until it was molten liquid, the impurities would then rise up to the surface out of the molten rock and the refiner would blow the impurities off the top, leaving pure silver in the container. The fuller’s job was to clean wool from the sheep. The fuller would repeatedly and painstakingly beat the wool that was soaking in soapy water to knock the dirt off, then they would rinse and repeat until the wool was white as snow. God refers to Himself in these passages as the fire that refines and the soap that cleans. So now we see that it is clear, God is in control. Not luck or karma or random chance. So next time you encounter a trial remember God has allowed it on purpose. This is a divine task given to you.
Alright so God is in control. But why? What is the purpose of going through all these hard things? Is God just letting us get run over until whoever is left are “real” Christians? Is this some kind of survival challenge? Absolutely not! We know from Scripture that God only does that which is good for us. It might not be what we desire or what is easy for us but nonetheless it is the truth. God is sovereign over all. His will is perfect in every way and you can be completely sure that anything that happens was decided by God and it was not only good but the best, most glorious, most perfect way that it could have happened! It is our duty to rest in the Lord’s decisions and to know that, not only does He do everything for His own Glory but also for the best interest of His children. If we being stained by sinful flesh choose what is best for our children at every opportunity then how much infinitely more does our Father in heaven choose what is best for us? So why then, why are these trials necessary? God uses trials in our lives as opportunities to mold us into the image of Jesus and display that image to the world around us. He continues to clean us from sin throughout our entire lives. God uses trails to remove sin from us, make us more Christ-like and to use our joy in trials as a witness to the world around us. Think about the impact perpetua had from our introduction earlier, hundreds of people including the roman governer were led to Christ because they witnessed her grace and joy during her affliction. Would she have had that kind of impact had she acted in anger and sorrow?
Alright so God is in control. But why? What is the purpose of going through all these hard things? Is God just letting us get run over until whoever is left are “real” Christians? Is this some kind of survival challenge? Absolutely not! We know from Scripture that God only does that which is good for us. It might not be what we desire or what is easy for us but nonetheless it is the truth. God is sovereign over all. His will is perfect in every way and you can be completely sure that anything that happens was decided by God and it was not only good but the best, most glorious, most perfect way that it could have happened! It is our duty to rest in the Lord’s decisions and to know that, not only does He do everything for His own Glory but also for the best interest of His children. If we being stained by sinful flesh choose what is best for our children at every opportunity then how much infinitely more does our Father in heaven choose what is best for us? So why then, why are these trials necessary? God uses trials in our lives as opportunities to mold us into the image of Jesus and display that image to the world around us. He continues to clean us from sin throughout our entire lives. God uses trails to remove sin from us, make us more Christ-like and to use our joy in trials as a witness to the world around us. Think about the impact perpetua had from our introduction earlier, hundreds of people including the roman governer were led to Christ because they witnessed her grace and joy during her affliction. Would she have had that kind of impact had she acted in anger and sorrow?
Have you ever really sat down and thought about why God saves us and then leaves us here for the rest of our lives? When we get saved, God could just simply beam us up into heaven with Him. Why then are we left here in this sin-torn world surrounded by ungodliness and evil? We know this is not our home. Brethren, we are not just meant to know God in some superficial way but we are meant to experience Him. To live and grow and struggle with Him. To learn to appreciate, rely on and love Him. The ultimate question is not if we know of God and believe He exists, but do we have a true relationship with Him? Like any good relationship it strengthens through trials even more than through the good times. I have an example to give and I would like you to think of which relationship is more meaningful and valued. A man who works at a large privately-owned commercial office has a working relationship with the owner of the company. He is an employee, he knows of the owner from other coworkers who have directly worked with the owner, but our guy has never worked with him directly, or even met him for that matter. He comes to work and obeys all the company policies, he is a good employee. Now our guy also has an older brother. A brother he has grown up with, has shared every aspect of his life with. A brother with whom he talks and listens to everyday. A brother who held him and supported him as he wept over the loss of their parents. Which relationship is more meaningful and valued? That of the boss or of the brother? Well that of the brother of course, isn’t that painfully obvious you’re thinking. But how many people did I just describe who have lived their whole lives in Church, that have had that employee-boss type relationship with God? How many do just what they know they have to. They read their Bible just enough, pray just enough, are active with the Church just enough to dim their conscious and never really develop a genuine relationship with the Lord. Brethren, in this life we must be more involved with God than simply knowing about Him generally. We cannot have a relationship with God through someone else we know, who has a genuine relationship with Him. We must build a personal relationship with God through the good times and in the trenches of despair that come along in this life. Every one of you in this room knows that when you go through trials in this life and someone lifts you up and is there for you through it all, that there are no words to describe what that person means to you, there are no words for how much you value them. That is why we are left here on this earth after being saved: not only to grow in Christ and spread the Gospel to all men but to develop a deep and profound connection with God that only going through trials with Him could build. It is not enough to simply know about God, we must struggle with our sin, we must fight until the point of being crushed by our sin and this world and be put back together by the grace and love of our God. We must pass through the fire and rigors of this world and be rid of the impurities of sin a little at a time, like a precious metal being refined. God allows us to go through these trials and even actively brings us through them! How will we learn forgiveness if we are never wronged and given the opportunity to forgive? How can we learn unconditional love if we always have our conditions met? How can we learn to be selfless if we never have to sacrifice our desires for others? In short, the reason why we go through trials is to remove sin within us, to be more like Christ and to display Christ’s image to the world. If you are a person here today who has not understood these things before now I ask you to think deeply about how much your Father loves and cares for you, no matter what you have been through or who you have lost. If you have kept any resentment in your heart against God for some great loss or trauma you had to endure, run to Him and pray earnestly until you have understood that He only wants what is best for you. It has been said that the hardest thing you will ever have to understand in our faith is to comprehend just how much God loves you.
Have you ever really sat down and thought about why God saves us and then leaves us here for the rest of our lives? When we get saved, God could just simply beam us up into heaven with Him. Why then are we left here in this sin-torn world surrounded by ungodliness and evil? We know this is not our home. Brethren, we are not just meant to know God in some superficial way but we are meant to experience Him. To live and grow and struggle with Him. To learn to appreciate, rely on and love Him. The ultimate question is not if we know of God and believe He exists, but do we have a true relationship with Him? Like any good relationship it strengthens through trials even more than through the good times. I have an example to give and I would like you to think of which relationship is more meaningful and valued. A man who works at a large privately-owned commercial office has a working relationship with the owner of the company. He is an employee, he knows of the owner from other coworkers who have directly worked with the owner, but our guy has never worked with him directly, or even met him for that matter. He comes to work and obeys all the company policies, he is a good employee. Now our guy also has an older brother. A brother he has grown up with, has shared every aspect of his life with. A brother with whom he talks and listens to everyday. A brother who held him and supported him as he wept over the loss of their parents. Which relationship is more meaningful and valued? That of the boss or of the brother? Well that of the brother of course, isn’t that painfully obvious you’re thinking. But how many people did I just describe who have lived their whole lives in Church, that have had that employee-boss type relationship with God? How many do just what they know they have to. They read their Bible just enough, pray just enough, are active with the Church just enough to dim their conscious and never really develop a genuine relationship with the Lord. Brethren, in this life we must be more involved with God than simply knowing about Him generally. We cannot have a relationship with God through someone else we know, who has a genuine relationship with Him. We must build a personal relationship with God through the good times and in the trenches of despair that come along in this life. Every one of you in this room knows that when you go through trials in this life and someone lifts you up and is there for you through it all, that there are no words to describe what that person means to you, there are no words for how much you value them. That is why we are left here on this earth after being saved: not only to grow in Christ and spread the Gospel to all men but to develop a deep and profound connection with God that only going through trials with Him could build. It is not enough to simply know about God, we must struggle with our sin, we must fight until the point of being crushed by our sin and this world and be put back together by the grace and love of our God. We must pass through the fire and rigors of this world and be rid of the impurities of sin a little at a time, like a precious metal being refined. God allows us to go through these trials and even actively brings us through them! How will we learn forgiveness if we are never wronged and given the opportunity to forgive? How can we learn unconditional love if we always have our conditions met? How can we learn to be selfless if we never have to sacrifice our desires for others? In short, the reason why we go through trials is to remove sin within us, to be more like Christ and to display Christ’s image to the world. If you are a person here today who has not understood these things before now I ask you to think deeply about how much your Father loves and cares for you, no matter what you have been through or who you have lost. If you have kept any resentment in your heart against God for some great loss or trauma you had to endure, run to Him and pray earnestly until you have understood that He only wants what is best for you. It has been said that the hardest thing you will ever have to understand in our faith is to comprehend just how much God loves you.
So why is it important to have joy in the midst of our trials? Because they are gifts from God. They are used for our growth, to bring God Glory and to show Christ to the world! If we were to react to troubles like everyone else there would be no difference between us and the world. This is why we should be embracing trials with JOY! When we endure trials we know that they are gifts sent from the Father to clean us and teach us! When we pray that God will make us more like Jesus, be assured trials will come, make sure view them as the opportunities they are when they arrive. Too often we face trials with bitterness and resentment. It is far too easy for us with our sinful flesh to become angry with our circumstances. Even the best of us do not bid a good day to someone who pulls out in front of us in traffic so that we have to slam our brakes. If we begrudgingly grit our teeth while we suffer through trials with a bad attitude, shaking our fist at the sky and moaning to God about how bad we have it and questioning God’s motives.. well that will only produce bitterness, hate, strife, unfaithfulness and unbelief in God. Not just for us but what about everyone around you who has seen your behavior during trials? Sometimes as Christians we fall into the trap of thinking that those Christians around us we see who seem to breeze through trials with joy are some kind of super-Christians or that maybe they are just at a higher level than we are and one day when we have been Christians long enough we will magically wake up with the new ability of being able to go through trials with grace. Brethren this could not be further from the truth. We must purposefully and consciously decide to be joyful during trials. Having grace and joy during trials is born out of painstaking intentional practice. We must change our perspectives and reactions to consider every trial an opportunity to grow in our faith and be more like Christ for it.
So why is it important to have joy in the midst of our trials? Because they are gifts from God. They are used for our growth, to bring God Glory and to show Christ to the world! If we were to react to troubles like everyone else there would be no difference between us and the world. This is why we should be embracing trials with JOY! When we endure trials we know that they are gifts sent from the Father to clean us and teach us! When we pray that God will make us more like Jesus, be assured trials will come, make sure view them as the opportunities they are when they arrive. Too often we face trials with bitterness and resentment. It is far too easy for us with our sinful flesh to become angry with our circumstances. Even the best of us do not bid a good day to someone who pulls out in front of us in traffic so that we have to slam our brakes. If we begrudgingly grit our teeth while we suffer through trials with a bad attitude, shaking our fist at the sky and moaning to God about how bad we have it and questioning God’s motives.. well that will only produce bitterness, hate, strife, unfaithfulness and unbelief in God. Not just for us but what about everyone around you who has seen your behavior during trials? Sometimes as Christians we fall into the trap of thinking that those Christians around us we see who seem to breeze through trials with joy are some kind of super-Christians or that maybe they are just at a higher level than we are and one day when we have been Christians long enough we will magically wake up with the new ability of being able to go through trials with grace. Brethren this could not be further from the truth. We must purposefully and consciously decide to be joyful during trials. Having grace and joy during trials is born out of painstaking intentional practice. We must change our perspectives and reactions to consider every trial an opportunity to grow in our faith and be more like Christ for it.
Moving on to the second half of our text, verses 3 and 4 build on the ideas so far saying For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Steadfastness or what we would call patiently enduring or persevering is the result of us going through these various trails with JOY. The more trials we go through with the correct mindset, JOY! The more we grow closer to God, remove sin in our lives and make ourselves ready for greater trials. This is what it means to be a Christian. To take up your cross and follow Christ… with JOY! At first glance these verses may seem to be talking about Christian perfectionism, that is not the case. This does not mean that if we endure trails we become perfectly sinless but that we cannot have the whole character of Christ without enduring our trails with joy.
Moving on to the second half of our text, verses 3 and 4 build on the ideas so far saying For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Steadfastness or what we would call patiently enduring or persevering is the result of us going through these various trails with JOY. The more trials we go through with the correct mindset, JOY! The more we grow closer to God, remove sin in our lives and make ourselves ready for greater trials. This is what it means to be a Christian. To take up your cross and follow Christ… with JOY! At first glance these verses may seem to be talking about Christian perfectionism, that is not the case. This does not mean that if we endure trails we become perfectly sinless but that we cannot have the whole character of Christ without enduring our trails with joy.
So how can we have joy in the midst of our trials? I understand it is much easier said than done to be full of joy when we are in the midst of suffering a trial. We need to employ some tools to make our response to trials better. First, we must be in the Word everyday, to renew our minds. This keeps us focused on the will of God. If our minds are focused on God and His will, we will more easily react the correct way to trials. If you have a hard time concentrating on reading or your schedule is too busy, get an audio Bible to listen to as you do daily chores or while driving on your way to work. Read the Bible with an open and eager mind to gain wisdom not just for the basic things you are required to do. If my wife came to me about spending quality time with her and I reached for my “minimum-requirement handbook for husbands” to see what I had to do just to get by, and said to her: “Well dear it looks like we have already held hands and you’ve had a kiss so far this week, so you should be happy I’m following the requirements” Let me tell you, I would be eating that book. Is that our attitude with the Bible sometimes? The Scriptures are not just a rule-book or a set of guidelines but they are our very source of nourishment, without them we will wither away and die. Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. If you have competing influences for your mind, you must choose Scripture above them. Daily Scripture intake should never have to compete for space in your mind with worldly, sinful music lyrics and sensual, lust-filled scenes on the TV. Too often we allow these sinful influences in our lives to compete with the Holy Scriptures for space in our minds. How can we renew our minds with the pure Word of God if we are also constantly corrupting it? Our bodies are a Temple that the living God dwells in, just like how we hate a filthy home so does He.
So how can we have joy in the midst of our trials? I understand it is much easier said than done to be full of joy when we are in the midst of suffering a trial. We need to employ some tools to make our response to trials better. First, we must be in the Word everyday, to renew our minds. This keeps us focused on the will of God. If our minds are focused on God and His will, we will more easily react the correct way to trials. If you have a hard time concentrating on reading or your schedule is too busy, get an audio Bible to listen to as you do daily chores or while driving on your way to work. Read the Bible with an open and eager mind to gain wisdom not just for the basic things you are required to do. If my wife came to me about spending quality time with her and I reached for my “minimum-requirement handbook for husbands” to see what I had to do just to get by, and said to her: “Well dear it looks like we have already held hands and you’ve had a kiss so far this week, so you should be happy I’m following the requirements” Let me tell you, I would be eating that book. Is that our attitude with the Bible sometimes? The Scriptures are not just a rule-book or a set of guidelines but they are our very source of nourishment, without them we will wither away and die. Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. If you have competing influences for your mind, you must choose Scripture above them. Daily Scripture intake should never have to compete for space in your mind with worldly, sinful music lyrics and sensual, lust-filled scenes on the TV. Too often we allow these sinful influences in our lives to compete with the Holy Scriptures for space in our minds. How can we renew our minds with the pure Word of God if we are also constantly corrupting it? Our bodies are a Temple that the living God dwells in, just like how we hate a filthy home so does He.
Second, we need to be in prayer constantly, not just when we need something. This too will keep you in the right mindset, ready to go through trials and show the character of Christ. Do we take time out of our daily thoughts just to dwell with the Lord? How long would our marriages last if we only talked to our spouse when we needed something? Our relationship to the Lord is to be a genuine one and that requires communication. Outside of praying for ourselves and others we need to be dwelling with the Lord. What do I mean by dwelling with the Lord? For example if we see a beautiful sunset while driving down the road, have a conversation with your Father about it. Tell Him how beautiful it is and admire His work, wonder about how He made it. If you have a question, ask the Lord and discuss the topic with Him. Devote your free mental time daily to thoughts about the Lord. Ask Him to show you more of Himself. If Jesus felt such a great need to go out alone and spend all night with the Father every chance He got, then how much more important is that for us? But where do I find the time in my busy day to read Scripture and pray more? I find this to be more of a problem for the younger people. We often do not realize how much time we spend on our phones watching youtube or scrolling through social media. We can kill hours a day doing pretty much nothing. Consider setting an alarm on your phone to let you know when to put it down and spend some time with the Lord. I used to think that people who seem to be at home while praying were just gifted or had reached a higher level than me over the years. That’s not the truth brethren, prayer can be awkward. Your not going to feel some divine presence every time you pray. Getting started and even further along you may feel ridiculous like you are a crazy person talking to yourself. Do not let that discourage you, we have all been there. Reading your Bible and praying everyday does not come easy. Your sinful flesh does not like reading and praying, satan will try everything to keep you busy so that you have no time. We must push through these obstacles. Quality time with the Lord is born out of a quantity of time with the Lord. Your Father in heaven is always listening brethren.
Second, we need to be in prayer constantly, not just when we need something. This too will keep you in the right mindset, ready to go through trials and show the character of Christ. Do we take time out of our daily thoughts just to dwell with the Lord? How long would our marriages last if we only talked to our spouse when we needed something? Our relationship to the Lord is to be a genuine one and that requires communication. Outside of praying for ourselves and others we need to be dwelling with the Lord. What do I mean by dwelling with the Lord? For example if we see a beautiful sunset while driving down the road, have a conversation with your Father about it. Tell Him how beautiful it is and admire His work, wonder about how He made it. If you have a question, ask the Lord and discuss the topic with Him. Devote your free mental time daily to thoughts about the Lord. Ask Him to show you more of Himself. If Jesus felt such a great need to go out alone and spend all night with the Father every chance He got, then how much more important is that for us? But where do I find the time in my busy day to read Scripture and pray more? I find this to be more of a problem for the younger people. We often do not realize how much time we spend on our phones watching youtube or scrolling through social media. We can kill hours a day doing pretty much nothing. Consider setting an alarm on your phone to let you know when to put it down and spend some time with the Lord. I used to think that people who seem to be at home while praying were just gifted or had reached a higher level than me over the years. That’s not the truth brethren, prayer can be awkward. Your not going to feel some divine presence every time you pray. Getting started and even further along you may feel ridiculous like you are a crazy person talking to yourself. Do not let that discourage you, we have all been there. Reading your Bible and praying everyday does not come easy. Your sinful flesh does not like reading and praying, satan will try everything to keep you busy so that you have no time. We must push through these obstacles. Quality time with the Lord is born out of a quantity of time with the Lord. Your Father in heaven is always listening brethren.
Third, we need to be slow to speech and anger. Practice patience, when a situation rapidly comes upon you, delay your speech and think about how God would want you to react. It may seem cliché but think, what would Jesus do? Jesus is our model of the best Christian who ever lived, we are to copy what He does, to follow in His footsteps. If you are a person like I myself can be and you have a hair trigger of a temper, start with small things like the driver who cuts you off or the person who cuts in front of you at the cashier line or that snippy remark your spouse made. Do not react, take some deep breaths and meditate on the Word of God before responding. Start with refraining from a negative reaction, pay attention to your tone of voice and body language. When you can master not reacting negatively, start practicing returning good for evil. You will be astounded by the effect this has on people, God will use you to change others when you do this. It is how He changed you in the first place, when you were against Him in sin, Jesus died for your sins. He returned good for your evil. We are required to imitate this and show the same sacrifice to others. People are lost and hurting brethren, remember they do not know this hope that you have, offer them grace and mercy when they hurt you to show them an example of how God forgives and shows mercy. This will be a lifelong pursuit and does not come naturally. Much like training your muscles through exercise, you must improve your joyfulness in trials through practice.
Third, we need to be slow to speech and anger. Practice patience, when a situation rapidly comes upon you, delay your speech and think about how God would want you to react. It may seem cliché but think, what would Jesus do? Jesus is our model of the best Christian who ever lived, we are to copy what He does, to follow in His footsteps. If you are a person like I myself can be and you have a hair trigger of a temper, start with small things like the driver who cuts you off or the person who cuts in front of you at the cashier line or that snippy remark your spouse made. Do not react, take some deep breaths and meditate on the Word of God before responding. Start with refraining from a negative reaction, pay attention to your tone of voice and body language. When you can master not reacting negatively, start practicing returning good for evil. You will be astounded by the effect this has on people, God will use you to change others when you do this. It is how He changed you in the first place, when you were against Him in sin, Jesus died for your sins. He returned good for your evil. We are required to imitate this and show the same sacrifice to others. People are lost and hurting brethren, remember they do not know this hope that you have, offer them grace and mercy when they hurt you to show them an example of how God forgives and shows mercy. This will be a lifelong pursuit and does not come naturally. Much like training your muscles through exercise, you must improve your joyfulness in trials through practice.
As you go through this next week please think about all the things we went over today. Pray and ask for the Lord to help you look more like Christ during your trials. This is a very important aspect of Christian life and it will make your whole life a witness to Christ. Remember to replace the idea of trials in your mind with opportunities. Every trial is an opportunity for you to grow in Christ and show the world who He is. Remember God is in control, He will not overburden you. He is allowing you to go through trials for your benefit. Remember to be in the Word and pray everyday so that you will be ready for trials when they come. Be slow to speech and anger and quick to think of how Jesus would handle a situation. Don’t forget to count it all as JOY in the midst of your trials. Let us pray.
As you go through this next week please think about all the things we went over today. Pray and ask for the Lord to help you look more like Christ during your trials. This is a very important aspect of Christian life and it will make your whole life a witness to Christ. Remember to replace the idea of trials in your mind with opportunities. Every trial is an opportunity for you to grow in Christ and show the world who He is. Remember God is in control, He will not overburden you. He is allowing you to go through trials for your benefit. Remember to be in the Word and pray everyday so that you will be ready for trials when they come. Be slow to speech and anger and quick to think of how Jesus would handle a situation. Don’t forget to count it all as JOY in the midst of your trials. Let us pray.