Why Lord?

Have you faced trials?

Have you ever cried out in desperation and asked the Lord why? Why you were going through a certain trial? Maybe I should ask has everyone here been through a trial in their life? A difficult time where you were left asking God why? How did you respond? How did God want you to respond? Did you struggle with why? Do you know why? How did you over come? Maybe you have not overcome yet and that is why God has you here this morning because by His Word and the power of His Spirit He wants you to overcome. These are all questions we will examine as we look at James’ teaching on suffering through trials today. I know we all have suffered in someway. Wether financially, emotionally, relationionaly or maybe physically. As believers what should our response be to trials? Let’s dig into James this morning and see what God has for us. Open your Bibles to James chapter 1 look at verse 2 - 4

James 1:2–4 ESV

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Verse 2 is a little jarring isn’t it? Is that your normal response in the flesh when you face trails? If you are anything like me it is the opposite isn’t it. Joy is the last thing you will see. Apart from the work of God, how do you react to trails?

I react in fear, anxity, depression, doubt. Joy? no way not in my flesh.

This is a great example of how being part of the kingdom of God goes directly opposite the world.

Let’s look at what commentator Douglas Moo has to say about the greek word translated trial here is.

What is remarkable about this command is that it applies to a situation in which a joyful reaction would be most unnatural: when you meet various trials. The word translated ‘trial’, peirasmos, has two basic meanings in the New Testament.

It can refer to the inner enticement to sin, as in 1 Timothy 6:9: ‘But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.’ At other times it denotes external afflictions, particularly persecution (cf. 1 Pet. 4:12). In several verses it is possible that both meanings should be included (e.g. Matt. 26:41 and parallels).

This greek word is very intersting because it can mean a temptation or to tempt and it can mean a trial or to test

So our trials come from 2 sources internal and external. And they are either temptaions or testing. What is the difference? The internal cause or temptation is easy right? The devil made me do it. No where does our internal temptaion come from? Look with me at verses 12-15.

James 1:12–15 ESV

12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Let’s stop and analyze this a minute, when you are being tempted it is not God is it? Why is God not the intiator? Hint the answer is in verse 13. God is not the one tempting you because He cannot be tempted with evil. Wait a minute wasn’t Jesus tempted? Let’ pause and examine Jesus’ temptation. Let’s just look at the first one. What was the first temptation Jesus faced? He was fasting forty days so Jesus being fully man was what? He was hungry. He desired food. Was that desire bad? NO! So our desires for food, money, sex are bad. But according to Pastor John Piper at some point in our hearts the desire crosses a line where we are tempted and hunger gives way to gluttoney, and the desire for money to provide for our family gives way to greed and our sexual desires give way to lust. The part of our verse that says God cannot be tempted means that Jesus never crossed that line. When Satan tempted Jesus to give way to His hunger and sin He did not. And if we follow the progression, when we cross that line you desire becomes evil and produces sin and if we remain in our sin and do not repent what is the final result death!

Remember there is also an external trial that may be God testing us. Think back to Abraham. Did God test Abraham? Absolutely, God tested Abraham’s heart. It was the testing of Abraham’s faith that produced steadfastness. And made his faith perfect. I not sure we can fully fathom what Abraham went through. But if we recount the story. God made a promise for an heir. q

So why does God allow trials? Look at verse 4

James 1:4 ESV

4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

So God is using all the trials in your life both the internal ones and the external ones to produce a faith in you that is what? Look at the end of verse 4 God wants to produce within you a faith that is perfect complete lacking nothing who would like that here this morning a faith that is perfect and complete lacking nothing? Why is a faith like this so important. What is the end result what is the reward of the one who obtains it? Look at verse 12

James 1:12 ESV

12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

You know that is a good thing to ask God why? Look at verse five

James 1:5 ESV

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

This

God tells us that if we don’t know why we are suffering

Joy in trials?