Last week we dealt with two things about our testing or trials as Christians. There is the process of testing and a perspective of testing. The first thing we learned is that this testing is allowed or is from God. So James begins by talking about two things we learn about it.

First, it is a Process. We learned how to respond (count it all joy). Our faith is proven authentic or real after the test and this testing is vital to our maturity as Christians. It must finish its work in and through us. Secondly, James talks about the Perspective of our trials. What insight do we gain through it? The first eight verses tell us that we will learn what we are lacking because of our tests, and we learn that we must deal with the crisis of faith we are presented with. We turn from our inability to God. When we do, He gives generously.

But he goes on to say that we can limit God’s power by doubting, because when we doubt we are tossed about like waves on a wind driven sea. We also limit God’s power by being indecisive. We are unstable in everything we do.

So, lets look at the next four verses, verses nine through twelve.

(James 1:9-12)

The brother of humble circumstances should boast in his exaltation, but the one who is rich should boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and dries up the grass; its flower falls off, and its beautiful appearance is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will wither away while pursuing his activities. A man who endures trials is blessed, because when he passes the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

In the middle of the test is our Perspective or how we see it or how we view it. After the test is over, we look back and we see what the Purpose of the test was. Let’s look at the first Purpose.

It Reveals our Need for and Standing in Christ (v 9-11)

Testing turns us inside out. Verse nine says that at the end of the test the poor or humble man takes pride in his humble position. It shows that the most important thing in this person’s life is his spiritual relationship with God. He takes pride or is thankful even if the world sees him as poor.

The rich man, who has everything, takes pride in his low position because he realizes everything he has could be gone in a moment or the blink of an eye. God teaches him through this testing that worldly things can’t be held on to. He takes pride in the fact that humility is the most important trait anyone can have whether rich or poor. Testing turns us inside out!

It makes the poor man humble because he is rich in spiritual things. It makes the rich man humble because he realizes how poor he really is.

Think about this crisis we are involved in the world right now. Some are losing their very lives; some are losing their family members and others are losing their jobs and livelihoods. This almost seems like it happened overnight. So, testing reveals our need and true standing in Christ. Man, or women. Boy or girl. Young or old. In other words, everyone of us can be thankful to God that God will show us that fact. Here is a great reason to be thankful.

(John 1:12)

But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name,

If we can’t have gratitude in that fact, then we are the most miserable people.

The test should make us Better not Bitter (v 12)

(James 1:12)

A man who endures trials is blessed, because when he passes the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

The word “blessed” here is kin to the word Jesus used in the Sermon on the Mount. The word literally means “happy” or “fullness of joy.”

(Psalm 1:1-2)

How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path of sinners or join a group of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.

This man is full of joy and complete happiness in God. The man who perseveres under trial and tests understands this “blessed life.” He understands the concept of having everything even when, by the world’s standards, has nothing. Being completely at ease when the world is falling apart. Through our trials we come to receive more from the Lord.