Testing of Your Faith

James 1:1–8 CSB

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings. Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, being double-minded and unstable in all his ways.

Background

The Author: James

Younger half brother of Jesus (Matt.13:55)

Wasn’t a believer (John 7:5)

Saw the Risen Christ and believed (1 Cor.15:7)

Lead Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:6-21)

James 1:1a CSB

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings.

Description of James

A servant (doulos) or slave

Of God and the Lord Jesus Christ

The Recipients:

Jewish Audience

Scattered because of persecution (Acts 11:19)

James 1:1b CSB

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings.

I.The Interpretation of the Test

James 1:2 CSB

Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials,

A) Perspective- “Consider it a great joy”

Must learn to ask theological questions

1 Who is God?

2 What is God showing me about Himself and me?

3 Where is God in the situation?

4 Why did God allow this situation?

5 How should I respond so that God is glorified?

Acts 17:24–27 CSB

The God who made the world and everything in it—he is Lord of heaven and earth—does not live in shrines made by hands. Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things. From one man he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live. He did this so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

Luke 22:31–34 CSB

“Simon, Simon, look out. Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” “Lord,” he told him, “I’m ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” “I tell you, Peter,” he said, “the rooster will not crow today until you deny three times that you know me.”

Jesus’ Restoration of Peter (Jn.22:15-19)

Acts 5:40–41 CSB

After they called in the apostles and had them flogged, they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them. Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be treated shamefully on behalf of the Name.

1 Peter 1:6–7 CSB

You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

B) Diversity “Various trails”

James 1:2 CSB

Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials,

II. The Impact of theTest

A) Trust the Divine Process

Endurance

James 1:3 CSB

because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

James expects the reader to understand or know that God uses trails to perfect our faith and make us stronger Christians.

Testing of Faith- is like the process of refining silver or gold... The difficulties of life are intended by God to refine our faith: heating it in the crucible of suffering so that impurities might be refined away and so that it might become pure and valuable before the Lord. The “testing of faith” here, then, is not intended to determine whether a person has faith or not; it is intended to purify faith that already exists.

Douglas J. Moo, The Letter of James, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos, 2000), 54–55.

B) The ultimate goal of faith’s testing

Mature and Complete

Lacking nothing

James 1:4 CSB

And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

III. The Importance of the Test

A) Embrace the Test

Ask God for Wisdom

Ask in Faith

James 1:5–8 CSB

Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, being double-minded and unstable in all his ways.

B) Endure the Test (v.12)

Reward (crown of life)

Promised (by God)

James 1:12 CSB

Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Closing

Know: God is in control

Do: Ask the God questions

Be: Joyful