Trials of Life Produce Patience

Scripture

James 1:2–12 KJV 1900

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. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. 9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: 10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. 11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. 12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

The book of James has been compared to OT Wisdom literature. While there are wisdom elements in James, such as comparing the wisdom of the world with the wisdom that comes from God, it also contains exhortations and prophetic elements not common to Wisdom Literature.

As a general epistle, James was addressed to a broad audience (Jewish Christians) rather than a specific audience (e.g. Christians at Ephesus only). There is an obvious concern to address internal and external difficulties being faced by Jewish Christian congregations. Externally they were facing trials (1:2), particularly oppression of various sorts exerted by wealthy landowners.

Attitude in trials (1:2)

Advantage of trials (1:3-4)

Assistance for trials (1:5-12)

ATTITUDE IN TRIALS

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds. Trials should be faces with an attitude of joy. Trials should not be seen as a punishment, a curse, or a calamity but something that must prompt rejoicing. Furthermore they should be produce “pure joy” (i.e., joy that is full or unmixed), not just “some joy” coupled with much grief.

It is important to note that James did not say that a believer should be joyous for the trials but in the trials. Most people count it all joy when they escape trials. James said to count it all joy in the midst of trials.

Obviously the question arises: How can a person find joy in trials?

ADVANTAGE OF TRIALS

Christians can face trials with joy because there are rich advantages from these testings. Trials, rightly taken, produce the sterling quality of endurance.

This is not new revelation. It is a simple reminder, James wrote, because you know, literally “knowing through experience”. Everyone has experienced both the pain of problems and the ensuring profit of persistence. There is no gain in endurance without some investment in trials. Faith is like gold; it stands in the test of fire. Without this approved standard of faith, trials would not yield perseverance. There would only be ashes. True faith, like pure gold, endures, no matter how hot the fire. True faith therefore develops, or more literally “works”, perseverance or staying power.

Perseverance must finish its work. Just as tested and true faith works to produce perseverance, so perseverance must be allowed to continue its perfect or finished work to produce the ultimate by-products of maturity and spiritual fulfillment. James’ main point was to show how to achieve spiritual maturity.

Trials can be faces with joy because, infused with faith, perseverance results, and if perseverance goes full-term it will develop a thoroughly mature Christian who lacks nothing. He/she will indeed be all God wants him/her to be. James’ argument may seem logical, but it is still difficult to see how trials can be welcomed with an attitude of joy. Where does one turn to help to understand this paradox?

ASSISTANCE FOR TRIALS

To those who feel confused and frustrated by the high goal of “not lacking anything.” James wrote, If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God. Assistance is readily available from “the giving God”. To those who lack wisdom, this valuable resource is available for the asking. James assumed his readers would feel the need for wisdom, not just knowledge, God will not only provide wisdom, but will do so generously, not grudgingly.

However, God’s provision has some prerequisites. To receive God’s wisdom in trials, the believer must be wise in asking. First, he must ask in faith. He must believe and not doubt.

He dare not come to God like a wave of the sea, blown [horizontally] and tossed [vertically] by the wind. God is not pleased with a double-minded man who is unstable in all he does, like an unsteady, staggering drunk. The answer from God depends on assurance in God.

Furthermore one who asks for wisdom needs to evidence hope. Whatever his social or economic position, the believer must see eternal advantages. Social prominence passes away, wealth withers away like a wild flower in the hot sun, and fame will fade. Hope in the eternal is evidence of believing faith.

Finally, the one who asks for wisdom must be steadfast and infused with love. God blesses someone who perseveres under trials. The Christian who steadfastly endures trials and has stood the test will receive the crown of life. This “crown” consists of life, that is, the crown is life.

Rev 2:10

Revelation 2:10 KJV 1900

10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

The life which is promised is probably life here and now, life in its fullness, life in it completeness. God promises such life to those who love him. Love for God enables believers who undergo trials to rest confidently in Him. Their steadfastness reveals their love.

Asking for wisdom with faith, hope, and love brings not only the blessing of wisdom but also the blessing of winning.

To have the right attitude in trials, one must see the advantage of trials, but if it is difficult to see the advantages, one can ask for aid and, if one asks correctly, God will give him/her the right attitude in trials. He/she can rejoice in trials and be blessed by enduring them.