What To Do When It Gets Bitterly Cold
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Intro:
Call me pessimistic, but have you ever felt that majority of the news that comes in your day is usually negative? First off, if you turn on the TV to a news station, you’ll find a lot of bad things going on. Or, if you are “old school” you read the newspaper (to the newer generation, it is like reading general news feeds and articles online, except on real paper); however, the newspaper rarely brings good news. “But, that’s okay” you might say, “Because, most of that news doesn’t affect me personally, in my daily routine.” Most of us read the bad news and then move on with our day with minimal to no lasting impact. But what about when the bad news comes from our kids, our parents, our doctors? What about when the bad news affects our whole day, our whole week, our remaining days? Maybe for you, the news is you lost your job, or maybe you lost a family member to drugs, to death. What if you’re only car broke down and was in the shop for a week (we all know that doesn’t happen!)? Or, what if you walk out of the doctor’s office with the news that you have stage 4 cancer, then what?
James wrote to believers facing bad news. Their troubles ranged from personal trials to doubts in our God; from persecution in their hometowns just for following Christ to the temptation and lure of prestige, peace, & safety in their own communities, if they’d only renounce Christianity. James has the answer, the key to endurance, and so he wrote to encourage his brothers (and sisters) in their faith.
James 1:2-4
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 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.
James’s approach illustrates the variety of forms that encouragement can take. As we’ll see in the later weeks, there are times in his epistle where James confronts. He’ll use language in a way that reminds us of his half brother, Jesus. Sparks and forest fires, rudders and large ships in chapter 3 create mental pictures somewhat like Jesus created with his needles and camels—they both use hyperbole. In other places, and starting here, James gently encourages. He begins his letter looking directly at trials and charges fellow believers, us, with a near impossible challenge: “Meet the very worst that life presents you with joy.”
Grammatically speaking, the Greek syntax reveals that the two main points (which are the first two imperatives or commands in his epistle) James is communicating here in these three verses:
1) we are to count/consider EVERYTHING (every life situation) as joy &
2) that we are no to hinder “steadfastness” or patient endurance from within us.
And so my exegetical outline follows suite, two main points with the rest as sub-points. James is stressing first that we must choose joy, then he says this is how. And so to give this passage proper perspective (namely, James’ perspective), trials and the testing of our faith is secondary to the joy we have and choose!
We have to count every situation as joy, but how? Learn to count:
1. Learn to Count
1. Learn to Count
1:2 How can a person consider trouble as an opportunity for joy? This is a remarkable command—we are to choose to be joyful in situations where joy would naturally never be our first response. This is because we have a tendency to link happiness and joy to our temporary, ever-changing situations; rather than linking it to something that never changes throughout eternity. In contrast, most people are happy when they escape trials. But James encourages us to have pure joy in the very face of trials. James is not encouraging believers to pretend to be happy. Rejoicing goes beyond happiness. Happiness centers on worldly circumstances and how well things are going in this life. Joy centers on God and his presence in our existance. When certain circumstances make us angry and when we want to blame the Lord, James directs us to the healthier, accurate alternative—joy. Those who trust in God ought to exhibit a dramatically different, positive response to the difficult events of life, because our joy transcends this life—our joy is rooted beyond this world!
The word “when” (v.2) can be translated whenever— so it doesn’t allow much room for doubt. We are urged to be joyful not if we face trouble, but when/whenever. Trials, problems, situations can be joy robbers if we lack the proper attitude. Where does this trouble come from? First off, sin! Sin is the root cause of suffering. One of my professors from Northland gave 3 sources of suffering:
Sources of Suffering
Satan can cause suffering (i.e the book of Job),
The cursed earth, usually through natural disasters, can cause suffering,
and People! which could be others (i.e. robbers, rapers, murderers) and/or yourself (sin of gambling could cause suffering through poverty)
Roger Ellsworth in his commentary on James notes 3 similar categories:
1. Persecution
A good part of what the Bible calls ‘suffering’ comes under the heading of persecution. This is the hardship and pain inflicted on Christians by those who are opposed to Jesus. This form of suffering was so prevalent in the early church that many Christians gave up their lives for their faith. It was such a common threat that many of the New Testament writers found it necessary to warn their readers to be prepared for it. Many Christians are even now suffering severe persecution in various places around the world.
2. Life-circumstances
Most of us today think of this type of thing when we hear the word ‘suffering’. This was the type of suffering I stated in my introduction and that Job had to endure.
Roger Ellsworth makes a distinction here,
“Scripture would have us distinguish between suffering that we bring upon ourselves and suffering that the Lord [supposedly] brings upon us.”
The apostle Peter made this distinction when he addressed the matter of persecution. He told his readers to make sure that the persecution that came their way was undeserved (1 Peter 4:15–16).
But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
The same distinction may be applied to the type of suffering we are concerned with. The law of sowing and reaping is still in effect. Our choices lead to consequences. If we make good choices, we can expect good consequences; but if we make evil choices, we can expect evil consequences.
If we abuse our bodies, our health will deteriorate and we may very well put ourselves in an early grave. If we abuse those around us, our relationships are going to deteriorate. If we fail to feed and nurture ourselves spiritually, our walk with God is going to deteriorate.
We all know these things are true, but when the consequences of evil choices begin to pour in, we tend to ignore the law of sowing and reaping and lament our circumstances by crying out, ‘Why is God doing this to me?’ But in this situation God is only letting us experience the consequences of what we ourselves have chosen!
The proper response to this type of suffering is to break with that pattern of behaviour that has brought the suffering upon us.
3. Suffering from God’s hand [supposedly]
But let’s go to that form of suffering that most troubles Christians, that suffering that comes, so far as we can tell, apart from us making evil choices, and apart from Satan. How do we handle this type of suffering? This is the diseases, the deaths, the utter destruction from natural disasters. Most blame YHWH as the CAUSE of this type of suffering, but is that right or fare to blame YHWH? God is the only one who controls these things (so the argument goes). Is God the cause of this type suffering? NO! Sin is! Sin wrought cursings to the Earth! Sin brought in death and disease! Genesis 3 and Romans 8 confirm this cause and source.
The crucial thing to walk away with is to remember that such suffering comes from God’s approval (Job 1 & 2) but sin is the source and cause. Scripture (in its entirety) reveals that God allows trials and difficulties into the lives of his children because he has certain purposes to achieve, BUT He is NOT the author of sin. (I think it more theologically accurate to say God allows suffering)
Why? Why must we suffer like this? Why does The All-powerful, Almighty YHWH allow such a horrible experience as suffering?
a. YHWH’s purpose (1:2–3):
a. YHWH’s purpose (1:2–3):
To purify and strengthen us.
Our attitude is to be one of genuine rejoicing. This is not joyful anticipation for trials. Instead, it is joy during trials. The joy is based on confidence in the outcome of the trial. It is the startling realization that trials represent the possibility of growth.
We cannot really know our own depth until we see how we react under pressure. Precious diamonds begin as coal, subjected to intense pressure over a period of time. Without pressure, coal remains coal. The testing of your faith is the combined pressure that life brings to bear on you. Endurance, like a precious gem, is the intended outcome of this testing. Endurance is not a passive submission to circumstances—it is a strong and active response to the difficult events of life, standing on your feet as you face the storms. It is not simply the attitude of withstanding trials, but the ability to turn them into glory, to overcome them.
1:3 Although we tend to think of testing as a way to prove what we don’t know or don’t have, being tested ought to be seen as a positive opportunity to prove what we have learned. This testing of our faith is a test that has a positive purpose. In this case, the troubles do not determine whether or not believers have faith; rather, the troubles strengthen believers by adding endurance to the faith that is already present. Endurance is faith stretched out; it involves trusting God for a long duration. James is not questioning the faith of his readers—he assumes that they trust in Christ. He is not convincing people to believe; he is encouraging believers to remain faithful to the end. James knows that their faith is real, but it lacks maturity.
So up to this point, I’ve talked about the need for eternal, transcendent Joy. But that doesn’t answer where, specifically, do we find the Joy?
In the three Person Godhead Romans 5:11 - The Father & Son.
More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
In the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
For Being a child of YHWH. Luke 10:20
Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
For salvation. Psalms 21:1
O LORD, in your strength the king rejoices,
and in your salvation how greatly he exults!
For deliverance (from bondage). Ps 105:43;
So he brought his people out with joy,
his chosen ones with singing.
For temporal blessings. Joe 2:23
“Be glad, O children of Zion,
and rejoice in the LORD your God,
for he has given the early rain for your vindication;
he has poured down for you abundant rain,
the early and the latter rain, as before.
For divine protection. Ps 5:11
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them ever sing for joy,
and spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may exult in you.
For divine support. Psalm 63:7.
for you have been my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
For the victory of Christ. John 16:33.
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
For the hope of glory. Romans 5:2.
Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
For the success of the gospel. Acts 15:3
So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.
So do we have something to be joyful about!?!?!
And if that wasn’t enough, our joy is then made full by
The favor of God. Ac 2:28.
You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
Faith in Christ. Romans 15:13.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Obedience in Christ. John 15:10, 11.
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
The words of Christ. John 17:13.
But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
Answers to prayer. John16:24.
Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
Fellowship of saints. 2 John 1:12.
Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
Examples:
Hannah for provision of Samuel and the preservation of Israel. 1 Sa 2:1.
And Hannah prayed and said,
“My heart exults in the LORD;
my horn is exalted in the LORD.
My mouth derides my enemies,
because I rejoice in your salvation.
David over freewill offerings to the Temple. 1 Ch 29:9.
Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly.
New Believers. Ac 2:46; 13:52.
And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,
Peter & the other disciples in persecution from the Sanhedrin Ac 5:41.
Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
Philip Proclaims Christ to the Samaritans. Ac 8:8.
So there was much joy in that city.
The Philippian Jailer over his Conversion. Ac 16:34.
Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.
Transition:
So our task this morning is to learn to count all this as our joy! But we don’t have to do this alone! Look back in our passage in James 1:4
And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
The phrase “and let steadfastness/endurance have its full effect” is our second command. What is interesting to note is this is a grammatical third person imperative in the Greek— which in short is James’ way of commanding you not to hinder the Holy Spirit’s work inside of you. In other words:
2. Count on God
2. Count on God
you see we are not alone in learning to count ALL things as joy because we are a work in progress by our Creator!
a. YHWH’s product (1:4):
a. YHWH’s product (1:4):
It is not our nature to endure. When it comes to trials, we would rather escape, explain, or exit the difficulty. In fact, we will tend to do almost anything to avoid enduring a trial. Faithful endurance, however, generates whole people, recognized as strong in character, or mature. We will be seasoned, experienced, well-developed, fit for the tasks God sent us into the world to do. This strength is a quality developed by how much we have learned from the trials we have experienced. We are also ready for anything because we have been fully trained. The weaknesses and imperfections are being removed from our character; we are gaining victory over old sins; we are demonstrating a sense of competence about life. This completeness relates to the breadth of our experience.
a. Perseverance (1:4a)
Scripture gives testimony to God’s purposes in sending suffering. The psalmist writes, ‘Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word’ (Ps. 119:67). Yes, God sometimes sends suffering to chastise us for our sins and make us more scrupulous about obeying his commands (Heb. 12:5–1 1).
And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I keep your word.
b. Maturity (1:4b)
God’s purpose in sending suffering is to make our faith strong and to make us more Christlike. One aspect of Christlikeness is patience, a virtue James specifically says is produced by trials. Life’s trail is marked with such trials. Enduring one trial is not enough. God’s purpose in allowing this process is to develop complete maturity in us.
Sometimes God’s purpose in sending suffering is so his people may demonstrate their faith in him. We may rest assured that unbelievers are always watching how we react to the difficulties of life. They formulate their views of Christianity from what they see or do not see in us. If they see us continuing to trust and serve the Lord in the midst of our suffering, they will be convinced that there is something to our faith. If they see us respond to our suffering by becoming hard and bitter towards God, they will feel justified in concluding that there is nothing to our faith.
c. Glory
God’s purpose in sending suffering is always to bring glory to Himself. The apostle Peter says faith that is ‘tested by fire’ will at last be found to bring ‘praise, honor, and glory’ to Christ (1 Peter 1:7)— the verse Ted just read with the congregational reading. In this life, we aren’t always able to see how our suffering can bring honor to YHWH. But it isn’t necessary for us to see it in order for it to be true.
so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Take the suffering of Joseph, for example. It came upon him in wave after wave. His hateful brothers sold him into slavery. He ended up in Egypt, where he was framed for something he did not do and was cast into prison. And it all came upon him through no real fault of his own. Joseph must have spent a good bit of his time wondering why all these things befell him. Years later, he had his answer. He was able to see that God had a purpose in it all. It was so that he, Joseph, could be the means of saving his people from terrible famine. Joseph put it in these words: ‘But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive’ (Gen. 50:20).
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
YHWH receive Glory here by proving his faithfulness in preserving the Israelites through Joseph’s sufferings. How would you like to have Joseph’s life?
How does God get glory in our suffering? Well, in our congregation, we have a sister in the faith who has suffered terrible illness for a long time, and she says she would not have been able to bear it if God had not been with her to strengthen and help her. That brings glory to God!
We also have a brother in the faith among us, who has suffered financial hardship, and he talks about how the promises of God have encouraged and comforted him through the trial. When God’s faithfulness to his promises is emphasized, God is glorified!
Conclusion:
Considering your troubles to be joy comes from seeing life with God’s perspective in our mind. We may not be able to understand the specific reasons for God’s allowing certain experiences to crush us or wear us down, but we can be confident that his plan is for our good. What may look hopeless or impossible to us never, ever looks that way to YHWH!
The end of suffering
All of this brings us to a final truth. We can find strength to face suffering by looking to that unspeakably glorious time when all our sufferings will finally be over!
Yes, such a time is coming! The Bible assures us that it is true. The tears of this life will be wiped away. Sorrow will dissolve. Death itself will be finally and for ever crushed.
The Bible constantly warns us not to become so intoxicated with this life that we fail to look beyond it to the life to come. That forward look has the marvellous ability to transform the suffering of this present time. As we dwell on the glory to be revealed we shall most certainly find ourselves saying with the apostle Paul, ‘For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us’ (Rom. 8:18).
And let us never forget how it is that we have confidence regarding the life to come. It is through no merit of our own, but solely because of the redeeming work of our Lord Jesus Christ there on Calvary’s cross.
James urged his readers to ‘count it all joy’ when they fell into ‘various trials’. He wasn’t suggesting that they greet every difficulty that came their way by exclaiming, ‘Whoopee! Isn’t this wonderful?’
No, not at all. Christians are not to pretend that the sufferings of this life are not real and painful. They are rather to find joy in the midst of their suffering, and they do so when they can say it has not come because of sinful choices, when they trust the Father’s loving purpose in it, and when they can look beyond it to see that coming day when all suffering will be over