Responding Correctly to Trials

INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1 will show us that Faith on the Outside is Seen in our Response. In vv. 2-18 we will see James’ instruction to us regarding our responses to trials. We see in the first 18 verses the positive and negative side that is central to this letter: having a consistent and undivided commitment to God through Christ Jesus.

Faith looks to God’s promises and the certainty of faith is not in what we can see with our eyes, but in what we hope for that is not seen through Scripture. Your faith will be put to the test in the hard experiences of life, and the sight or appearance of these things will convince you that life exists in contradiction to the Word and promises of God.

But you cannot afford to response this way, how to respond the in trials?

Respond in Joy

When we encounter trials, we should count it as joy, submitting to God, knowing that He is using it for our growth.

James 1:2–4 AV

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

1. The Right Attitude

Verse 2

James is writing them because of the tough times these believers were facing.

But he’s going to remind them that God brings difficulties into our lives for a purpose. But God’s purpose will only be accomplished if we respond the right way.

We often will ask the question why? or why me? But we must see that everything is providentially controlled by God.

A. It is Joyful

Much of the Christian life of faith is really just one’s attitude in life and our response to trials and other events.

These temptations here are times of testing - trials. And the believers here were going through many trials - poverty for one.

James 2:6–7 AV

6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? 7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

They were suffering religious persecution. The rich were abusing, exploiting, and slandering them. More of this is seen in James chapter 5.

Illus.

I like oxymorons: act naturally, definitely maybe, stand down, military intelligence, Tucson rivers, or joy in trials.

Verse 2 is very attention grabbing.

Trials should be an event that causes rejoicing. Trials should be seen as an opportunity. This is genuine joy where one is supremely happy - pure joy.

Look the reason for the joy is not the suffering itself but rather what it does in our lives, which we will see in just a moment.

Romans 5:3–4 AV

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

James says we need to think differently that we usually do about difficulties and trials. We are to calmly bear trials (so many people overreact).

Illus

“Pastor, so-and-so is in the ER. Ok, sure give me the info.” I’ve gotten few strange looks or comments at what is perceived as an under reaction to circumstances…often.

But James is telling us that we bear these trials calmly and with an even mind - knowing that there is a reason to rejoice in it.

Hebrews 12:2 AV

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Go back to the first phrase - count it - consider it - you need to have some right thinking first if we’re going to continue. It means to reckon and account it as true.

I like this quote

If we value comfort more than character, then trials will upset us. If we value the material and physical more than the spiritual, we will not be able to “count it all joy.”

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 338).

B. It is Expectant

when ye fall into - this has the idea of suddenly finding yourself surrounded by difficulties.

It will happen!

“Outlook determines outcome, and attitude determines action.”

1 Peter 4:12 AV

12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

You don’t need to go looking for trials and troubles, they will find you. Faith is ALWAYS tested!

Now what do we do with this information that trials come suddenly and unexpected:

1) There’s no need to go out of your way to bring affliction upon yourself.

1 Thessalonians 4:11 AV

11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

2) Now trials aren’t the only way to pure joy - this leads to asceticism - the more pain and difficulty the more good is there. We should have joy at all times!

So don’t seek for trials, but expect them to come and use them how God intended.

2. The Right Awareness

Verse 3

Trials work in a way to show us that we aren’t as strong or wise as we thought we were. Or sometimes they reveal strengths and graces we didn’t know we had by God’s gifting.

A. Trials are Numerous

divers - back in v.2

Divers - means of many kinds - there can be all kinds of trials we go through - sickness, loneliness, death, and disappointment.

1 Peter 1:6–7 AV

6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

It’s important to remember that you won’t go through just one type of trial and that one Christian’s trial is not yours.

Don’t begrudge how God tests people - you might think your trial was harder, or its not fair. But you don’t know the trials that everyone else is going through.

There are many kinds - and God may need to take you through various types in order to complete His work within you.

B. Trials Produce Endurance

But we can count it all joy because we understand that God uses trials to work our patience - or endurance.

Testing produces perseverance, endurance.

Weightlifting: You can’t build muscles without testing them - putting weights on and persevering through the exercise. The difficulty produces strength.

The trying here is not even really to determine if they have faith but to strengthen whatever faith they already have - trials are the spiritual gym.

Now what kind of patient endurance is this?

Trench says,

This [patience] is not a meek passive submission to circumstances, but a strong, active, challenging response in which the satisfying realities of Christianity are proven in practice.

Trials produce joy in a way that a weightlifter gets excited to be putting more weight on the bar.

Trials work for the believer!

Romans 8:28 AV

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

2 Corinthians 4:17 AV

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

God wants us to produce this patient endurance, the ability to keep going when things get tough. Even to the point that there is a growing determination rooted in our ultimate hope in Christ.

3. The Right Goal

Verse 4

The goal, the end game is perfection - maturity

A. Involves a Process

Perseverance, or endurance, though is not the goal. It is a byproduct, but there’s a greater goal! Endurance is like an intermediate virtue - a bridge.

Romans 12:2 AV

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

We do like things to be instant. We must let patience work though. And her work is a perfect work - the idea here is that patient endurance needs to have it’s full effect. There are no shortcuts to the process involved here!

This process is simply a believer becoming what God intends him to be.

B. To Produce Maturity

Here’s the goal a perfect, complete, maturity.

Matthew 5:48 AV

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Ultimately this will be accomplished in heaven - but God’s standard is still the same - complete and whole moral integrity.

A wholeness of Christian character is to be produces - which lack nothing of the virtues of God. This should be a well-rounded Christian life - a doer not just a hearer (1:19-21); faith with works (2:14-26); further patience in the face of delays (5:7).

Not wanting or lacking anything - fully equipped and outfitted for battle.

Perfection is the right word - this is a constant goal that ultimately in heaven.

CONCLUSION

So note the sequence here:

Trial -> pure joy -> patient endurance -> perfection.

We’d expect to see joy at the end - but God’s point is that joy is the generator of patience, endurance, and perseverance.