Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of lifethat the Lord has promised to those who love him. (James 1:2-5, 12)
There is something beautiful about getting together with God’s people is how they help understand scripture.
I was with some brothers and sisters recently, and we came across this scripture again, and they helped to get some perspective on the scripture above.
1. When you fall into various trials – it is inevitable that trials come. Indeed what element of life is not a trial of some sort?
2. You know – it is important to have a bigger picture in view when you go through trials. The bigger picture is the purpose of it all, and it’s easy to get deflected from that big picture in the intensity of the trial. Thus the Body of Christ, the Word of Christ and the Presence of Christ is there to remind you to KNOW.
3. The trial is a test of your faith designed to produce something. A critical quality that enables you to develop maturity and in essence lack nothing. That is a process. That takes time. That’s why we allow what needs to happen in us to happen as we persevere in well doing in the midst of the trial.
4. Wisdom is on tap from the Source to allow us to endure. We must ask and He is only too happy to share it. Thus is the process further outlined – I have a trial, I know it is to produce perseverance so that I’ll be mature, I however don’t know how to cope, what to do, where to turn, I ask God for wisdom, He gives it. (That last bit is the kicker, though isn’t it, how does He do that?!)
5. The goal ahead of us should motivate us to endure the trial. That goal is the crown of life promised by the Lord. That goal is witnessed in our becoming mature in Christ.
From the conversation, though, it was really hammered home how important that is to apply to all of the trials of life. Whether it’s the challenge of being a decent husband and father, or if it’s a work-based issue, or if it’s something to do with the church family, or if it’s a financial issue, or a struggle with some inner turmoil.
James makes a clear distinction between being tempted and enduring trials (vs. 13-15). This, however, calls for a focus of knowing if it’s the former then we need to sort it in the light of the fact of the work at the Cross and the meaning of the Resurrection. If it’s the latter, and it often is, then it is not be a surprise. It is in fact to be something that we should consider pure joy.
This is an exercise that only makes sense when we get caught by that picture of the goal that awaits us. That means as I see my complete, mature crown-wearing character, it gives me hope and a reason to rejoice in what God is doing even in the most trying of circumstances.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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