THE BOOK OF JAMES
(The Christian and Trials (Part 3) - March 12, 2023)
Series Big Idea: "Genuine Christian faith is proven true through testing and trial"
Sermon Big Idea: “We have a joyful attitude in trials because we know God loves us"
Key Scripture (James 1:6-12)
The Christian and testing or trials is the subject I have been speaking about for the last couple of weeks. Remember, our Christian trials have a process, and during this process, we must have the right perspective. James says that God allows tests and sometimes He is the one who sends them.
Our response should be one of joy when they come because it is in these tests our faith is proven to be genuine. Testing is extremely important to our maturity as Christians. It must do its work in us and through us. It is during the trials that we learn we are incapable of enduring persecution on our own. James says that when we see our inability we turn to God and ask. This is prayer. We are to ask Him for wisdom, and He will give generously. But God’s provision has some conditions.
(James 1:6-12)
6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 An indecisive man is unstable in all his ways. 9 The brother of humble circumstances should boast in his exaltation, 10 but the one who is rich should boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field. 11 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. 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.
James not only explained what to ask for, which was wisdom but also described how to ask. He said to ask in faith. God is not only a God who gives more grace (James 4:6) but He will give more and more wisdom. Believers are to ask for wisdom in faith. But he knew there would be believers who would experience seasons of doubt.
James compared the doubting believer to the waves of the sea. One minute they are up and the next they are down. All of us who have ever been to the ocean know that you don’t turn your back on the waves of the sea. One “rogue” wave could hurt you or drown you. They are, for the most part, not predictable. The result of a doubting believer is indecisiveness. It was doubt that caused the Apostle Peter to begin to sink as he walked to Jesus (Matthew 14:22-33). Jesus said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Peter was double-minded or indecisive at that moment and he almost drowned.
Many of us Christians live our lives like corks in the ocean. We are tossed wherever the waves take us. One moment we are up and then the next we are down. This could be a sign of immaturity in a believer. Not always, but it is possible. The Apostle Paul said something similar in (Ephesians 4:14) Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit.” We can ask in faith without doubting and God will give us the wisdom we need.
In verse 12 James seems to be giving a beatitude, “a man who endures trials is blessed.” This is a wonderful encouragement to believers. God promises a crown of life to those who endure trials. He is using an athletic illustration here. We are not saved by enduring trials, but we are rewarded when we endure. So how are we rewarded?
We are rewarded by growth in our character and becoming more Christ-like. We are rewarded by seeing God get all the glory. We are rewarded by being granted the crown of life when Jesus comes back one of these days. God doesn’t remove the test or trial, but He works it all for our good and His glory. The devil uses tests and trials to tear us down, but God uses trials to build us up.
The word “love” James uses in verse 12 is the spiritual motivation behind all the commands he gives in this passage. Christians have a joyful attitude when they face trials because God loves them, and they love God. Why do Christians have a believing heart? Because love and faith go together. When you love someone, you trust them. Love also keeps us faithful to the Lord.
Conclusion:
Just like a child who is being weaned, when they get through the weaning stages will start to grow up. Therefore, the Christian who loves God and knows God loves them, won’t lose faith when trials come in their life.
God’s reason for trials is to mature us as Christians. If this is what you want, then love Christ, count it all joy when trials come, know that testing produces endurance, let it complete its work in you, and ask God for wisdom who will give it generously.
Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideas are inspired by:
Holman Christian Standard Bible
English Standard Version Bible
King James Version Bible
Christian Standard Bible
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