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Joy In Trials - James 1:2-4
Joy In Trials - James 1:2-4
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4).
Joy -
Life is full of challenges. It is such challenges that provide for growth. Such growth is not only physical, but also moral and spiritual. That everyone faces such tests of life is simply a fact. How one responds depends largely upon how one views them: their purpose, their source, and their end result.
Trials -
The Greek word for 'trials' is a strange word to translate because so much of its meaning is determined by context. It is translated trial, tempt, and test. When the goal is to produce evil, it is often translated ‘tempt’. When the goal is to produce strength and character, it is often translated as ‘test’, and yet, when they set a trap for Jesus it is also called a ‘test’. In our own lives, we need to look at the various struggles we face and also determine their context.
Various -
The NT use of this word shows that such trials come in many forms and ways. Some are ‘fiery’ and difficult. Some are subtle while others are brazen. Some come from outside, others well up from within. Some are long-term and others are for a short while (1Pet. 1:6). In all of this, they are common to man (1Cor. 10:13). Even Jesus faced such (much is said about this - Matt. 4:1-11; Heb. 2:18; 4:15; Mark 8:11; 10:2; 12:15 - Matt. 22:18, 35; Luke 10:25; 11:16… John 8:6).
Knowing -
Seeing that there is no pat answer concerning the source, nature, and purpose of any given trial, we need to grow in our understanding of such. From beginning to end, the Bible story is filled with the tests that men faced. It shows the many different sources from which trials come. Our knowledge of these stories prepares us to be able to discern and succeed.
Produce -
It has often been pointed out that God desires us to be a certain TYPE of person; godly, honest, loving, etc. Such character traits can be developed and grown, but the arena of such development and growth is the testing of life. Such not only produce character (see Rom. 5:3-5), they also result in a crown of life (Jam. 1:12). Peter enlarges the result to include praise, glory and honor (1 Peter 1:7).
The bottom line is that in all such tests of life, God wants us to succeed and be transformed into the very image of Christ. We are being tested. How are you looking at such trials?
Hugh DeLong
