An Attitude of Joy in Trials

James 1:2-4

James 1:2–4 NKJV

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

All through the epistle of 1 John, we studied, worked through, and understood (hopefully) what real, genuine, and true salvation looks like. And any person who has come to know Christ has his/her Savior knows the joy which was implanted in them, knows and remembers the moment Christ changed their heart and rescued them from death.

Where so many believers struggle and stumble, where so many churches fall short is discipling believers—teaching and leading people into sanctification. So many people are misled into this belief that salvation is the end of the journey—that once salvation happens, a life of ease, comfort, and simplicity follow. Salvation is only the beginning of the journey,—but a journey that needs to be made with the right perspective and through the right lens. Why?

The truth is, the path of the Christian life is not an easy path to walk. It is filled with all kinds of trials and temptations

Trials (things we must endure) include:

sickness

disease

accidents

disappointments/sorrows/sufferings

death

Temptations (things we must overcome) include:

all the seductions to sin and evil

lust

greed/materialism

envy-wanting or coveting what others have

idolatry-placing ANYthing more valuable than Christ/refusing to surrender ALL things to Christ

all the perversions of this world—which the enemy uses as dangling bait to get us to succumb to our own selfish desires

James 1:14 “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.”

Because we have a path to walk—an aim, goal, and purpose (to become more and more like Jesus)—we need a guaranteed way to conquer all the trials and temptations of life, b/c if we don’t, instead of being made more like Jesus, we become more like the world

This is where James leads us off—there is a way, a guaranteed way to conquer and triumph in this life—no matter how severe the trial or temptation. What is it? Having a spirit of joy and perseverance

I. (v.2) Fact: We will have trials and temptations—many of them

James 1:2 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,”

A. “Peirasmos” (Greek): means to tempt, to try, to test, or to prove. This term is used throughout scripture to refer to both temptations and trials. Yet, like last week, we must dig deeper into what the Greek language and James’ usage of it teaches us: It means far more thank just “to tempt,” it means:

To test

To try

To prove

To qualify

Note that trials and temptations are for a beneficial purpose

Note that trials and temptations are permitted by God for this good and beneficial purpose

B. The purpose of temptations and trials (“peirasmos”)…to make us stronger and more pure.

i. Conquering trials refines us and makes us more holy and righteous

ii. Enduring trials allows us to become a more stronger person—more steadfast, enduring, and perseverance—we gain confidence

iii. When we stand up (buffalo in a storm)-against trials and temptations—it serves as a strong and dynamic witness to those around us—proving and showing Christ actually lives within us

C. “…when you fall into various trials...”

“When you”—simply stated, it’s not a matter of if, but when…and if you are a believer, experiencing trials shouldn’t shock you

1 Peter 4:12-16 “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.”

“various trials”—A.T. Robertson (Greek scholar) says, “it is the picture of being surrounded by trials.”

All sorts and kinds

Especially those that so easily ensnare us

So what is your perspective to be then?

Trials and temptations are for the purpose of testing, trying, proving, and qualifying our faith

Trials and temptations are for our benefit, because I as we trust in God’s strength, rely on His wisdom, trust in His purpose to allow them, we are made stronger, we are refined more and more

There’s no better perspective than to look at the account of the “Fiery Furnace”

Daniel 3:27 NKJV

And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them.

The fire—this trial by fire if you will showed two things about the purpose of trials: (1) to glorify God and (2) to purify the believer

What was it about these three which preserved them, saved them, and protected them:

Daniel 3:16-18 “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.””

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego believed in God, trusted in His strength, relied on His wisdom, and trusted in His purpose…thus they were made stronger and were refined more and more.

II. (v.2-4) Needed Attitude: Joy

James 1:2-4 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

The reaction and response for most people when hardship strikes is not joy, rather

A. What we tend to do—we certainly do not joy

Become discouraged

Despair

Feel defeated

Turn to other things endure trials

B. What we need to do: We must switch our thinking—we must shift how we think and shift what we do.

(v.3) What we must know/remember

James 1:3 “knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”

Trials/temptations are not to defeat us, rather they are to

qualify your faith

prove your faith

put your faith to the test

for the result of becoming more and more like Jesus Christ

Trials and temptations manifest and work patience in the life of the believer;

“Patience” —we usually cringe at this word…”don’t pray for patience,” they say: but again, we need to shift our thinking and shift what we do, because this word, translated from the Greek, carries more weight than you think/realize:

to be stedfast

to be persevere

to endure

Trials and temptations of life (when endured) are not to make us weak, rather they are to:

mold us to be more stedfast

mold us to be more persevering

mold us to be more enduring

mold us to be stronger, more pure, and more righteous…just like Jesus

develop our character to be more like Jesus

***If believer, can remember and know the true purpose of trials and temptations, then can/will approach them from a more biblical perspective and lens; remember our opening discussion***

Now—it’s one thing to know these things, but wisdom is the application of knowledge—so there’s something we must do

ii. (v.3) What we must do: we must let (allow) patience work within us

“Patience” translated means stedfast, to persevere and to endure…but it’s meaning goes deeper

it mean more than

just bearing with it, “hanging in there”

just putting up with trials/temptatiions

just following the advice of medicine and psychology, things like:

“Take it easy”

“Be calm”

“Be relaxed”

***Medicine, psychology, and the remedies of this world teach us nothing more than to learn and deny the existence of trials and temptations***

(DISCLAIMER: THERE ARE VERY VALID REASONS FOR PEOPLE SEEKING OUT MEDICINE TO CARE FOR THEMSELVES—GOD HAS GIVEN MEN AND WOMEN WISDOM TO KNOW THESE THINGS—AND PEOPLE SHOULD APPROACH THESE DECISIONS LINING THEM UP WITH GOD’S WORD—MY CAUTION HERE IS THIS: WE CANNOT BE USING MEDICINE, PSYCHOLOGY, OR ANY OTHER FORM OF MAN-MADE TREATMENT AS MEANS TO ESCAPE, NUMB, DENY, REJECT, OR HIDE, FROM THE THINGS THAT TRY AND TEMPT US.)

***Patience is not denial, patience is not refusing to face up to things, patience is not, “closing your eyes, gritting your teeth,” and when you wake up all the trials of life will “magically” disappear

***Patience is not seeking to find life’s remedies through means of escape: Technology, money, addiction, relationships

These things are not what it biblically means to be patient!!

Biblical patience means:

to persevere and keep on persevering—never giving in

to take the initiative and exert the energy and effort to conquer—to face our trials and temptations head on

And we can do all of these things with joy---why? Because if we know the goal—if we know the aim—if we know the purpose—by knowing trials and temptations serve as a means to grow us, make us stronger, make us more pure, make us more righteous---if we know that God will use the trials in life to conform us more and more into the image of His Son.

What Christian, what believer doesn’t want to look more like Jesus? If, in your surrender to Jesus Christ you don’t have a desire to look more like Jesus, then what did you think a surrendered life would look like?

The Apostle Peter says it as plainly and truthfully as it can be said

1 Peter 1:6-9 “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

III.(v.4) The Result: We are conformed more and more into the image of Jesus—we are perfected (matured) and made complete

James 1:4 “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

A.”Perfect” (teleioi)—does NOT mean becoming a perfect person—it means (I LOVE THIS), perfection of purpose;

It has to do with

an end

a goal

a purpose

it means

fit/mature

fully grown at a particular stage of growth

fitness

maturity for task and purpose—we have a three-fold purpose in persevering through trials

to glorify God

to be made more mature (look more like Jesus)

to be a witness to a lost/dying world

Being perfected (matured)

When a believer stands against trials and temptations—conquering them

A person perfects/matures the purpose God has intended

A person perfects/matures his/her purpose for being on earth a little bit

we are not to sit idly by and twiddle our thumbs waiting for our Savior

A believer becomes more and more complete in all parts

“Holoklerian” means entire, wholly fit, perfectly sound, complete with no weaknesses, flaws, defects, or shortcomings

So as we persevere and conquer trials/temptations—two things occur

We become more “entire,” more fit, more sound, and more complete

More and more weaknesses are eliminated, more flaws, more defects, and more shortcomings are eliminated

The believer who stands against trials/temptations, conquering them...”wants for nothing.”

“Wants for nothing” means the believer lacks nothing

The believer, as they grow in Christ, as the conquer trials—finds contentment in living for Christ

Philippians 4:10-13 “I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

(JOSH-ALTAR CALL)

The process of sanctification is a struggle—the things God desires to prune out of you—the things He desires to put to death in you will hurt, be uncomfortable: the process of sanctification can be understood more truthfully in looking at crucifixion:

Crucifixion was personal (focused on an individual)----so is sanctification

Crucifixion was painful---so is sanctification; “We fool ourselves if we think the habits and desires of the flesh will die without a struggle.” (D. Jeremiah)

Crucifixion was pitiless—so is sanctification; once the process starts it will not end until it’s intended purpose is accomplished

Acts 9:5 “Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

Romans 8:13 “For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”

The first thing James addresses in his epistle in dealing with sanctification deals with trials/temptations. Why? Well if you are serious about looking more like Jesus, if you desire the Holy Spirit to work in and through you, to mold you more into His image—trials/temptations/hardships/loss—all of these—will be experienced—and if we, if you and I do not have the right attitude, the right approach, or the right perspective, then we are sure NOT to stand, NOT to face, and NOT to grow as God intends His disciples to do

But if you are serious about sanctification—if you desire to become more like Jesus—you must know, sanctification is not like going to a local book store, picking up a “self-help” book or 12-step program pamphlet. Remember, the sanctification we are discussing in James is the progressive, which is the 2nd part (if you will).

In order to look more like Jesus—You must first be positionally sanctified

So many people make the statement, “I know God, I know Jesus!” The more important question: “Are you known by Christ?” (THIS IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE)

You cannot begin to look like Jesus if you are not known by Jesus.

Some of you are in here are deciding to live in lip-service about your faith, rather than admit the fact you need to surrender your faith to Jesus You can put on the show or disguise that you are looking the part, but you are not fooling anyone…and you are not fooling God. If you claim Jesus..start living like Jesus.

It’s hard..I know that, Jesus knows that..but He’s the only one who’s lived the Christian lifebut He’s asking you to trust Him, to rely on Him, to use His strength…not your own