James One Mg 1

James One

The Test Drive

James 1:2-4

The Test Drive

Have you bought a car without a test drive?

It something I have never done.

But I had a bad one.

The test drive from hell.

I got away from there as fast as I could.

Why do that?

Because we can get a feel for the car.

How it handles, noises, rattles, misses…

Sometimes the car is just ok.

Sometimes your hunt and search is over.

You know that is the car for you.

God’s Test Drive

Like a car God gives us a test drive.

James 1:2 (NET) — 2 My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials,

James 1:2 NET

My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials.

The Greek word here “trials” is an interesting word.

“the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)”

To try to learn the nature or character of someone or something by submitting such to thorough and extensive testing.

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When I test drive a car, I brake hard. I stomp the gas. I put it in reverse. I jerk the steering wheel back and forth.

God will test us. – But not for God’s benefit for ours.

1 Peter 1:6 NLT

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.

We can call it God’s proving grounds.

God’s proving grounds.

They are seasons of life, places of testing.

Testing can strip away distractions and force us to our reliance on God’s guidance and provision.

Testing can seem silent or distant. “God where are you?”.

Trials test our trust and how we apply the lessons we learned.

Deuteronomy 8:2 NIV

Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.

God will often delay coming to help. It builds patience, it builds character.

Testing (those painful circumstances) can prune away hindrances to our relationship with God.

Testing has a glorious purpose.

These trials are not punishments but loving, purposeful, and sometimes painful processes that produce spiritual growth, resilience, and dependence on God.

But they are tough to see in the middle of the battle.

Test build our character

Trials develop endurance, humility, wisdom, and leadership needed for future responsibility.

James 1:3 NLT

For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

Verify our Faith

Tests prove the genuineness of faith, ensuring it is built on God.

Not on our own abilities.

God is at work all around us.

We too often ask God to adjust His will to fit our will.

We should adjust our lives to fit God’s will.

Test reveal our shortcomings.

Deuteronomy 8:2 NIV

Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.

Nothing exposes a person’s heart more than the pressure of crisis.

How are you handling the crisis you are facing?

Panic; Anger- Blaming; Bitterness; Complaining; Hopelessness – Withdraw; Doubt; Lost just wandering; give up?

These are wrong responses to right trials.

Right Responses to Crisis!

Choose Joy (v:2)

James 1:2 (NET) — 2 My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials

James 1:2 NET

My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials,

Joy is a decision, not a reaction.

Think of it like this.

I don’t like this, but I trust God is at work in my struggle.

Joy is confidence that God is in control even when life feels out of control.

Adjust Your Perspective

See the trial as training, not punishment.

Ask: “What is God trying to grow in me?” instead of “How do I escape this?”

James 1:3 NLT

For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

James 1:4 NLT

So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

Trust God’s Process (v.3)

God is taking you on a test drive.

James 1:3 (LSB) — 3 knowing that the testing of your faith brings about perseverance.

James 1:3 LSB

knowing that the testing of your faith brings about perseverance.

What does that look like?

It’s staying steady when everything feels shaky.

If God allowed it, He has a purpose in it.

Don’t quit.

Keep praying, keep showing up, keep trusting.

Breakthrough often comes to those who refuse to walk away.

Surrender Control

Release the need to fix everything immediately

Lean Into God, Not Away From Him

Danger to avoid: Isolation

Guard Your Heart from Bitterness

Don’t let what hurt you turn into what defines you.

Keep an Eternal Perspective

What you’re going through is not the end of your story.

It’s a test drive.

Test drives are short lived