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.
It's no secret to any of us that this life is full of trials. Seems like we're either in one, coming out of one, or about to head into one. "Of various kinds" - all sorts of things that cause pain, angst, grief. Trials. I don't like them and you probably don't either. I'd rather have comfort and ease and pleasure, thank you just the same.
Interesting that James tells us that our perspective on these trials should instead be....JOY. Joy. Joy?
Really??
Why?
And, how?
First, the why. That's found in the second phrase - because the testing of our faith produces steadfastness and the full effect of steadfastness at work brings about a life lacking in nothing. Lacking in nothing? WOW! Read that again - lacking in nothing. Sign me up!
Oh, wait. The path to that life is the road marked "trials".
And James says our countenance on that path should be "joy" - the word "chara" literally means little lambs jumping and skipping without a care in the world.
Gulp. In the midst of trials. Trials bring suffering and pain and discomfort. But James says our attitude them should be joy.
Because of what they can bring about in our lives.
How??
Well, James tells us to "count it" - another translation says "consider it". There's the key. "Consider". Choose the thoughts. Think carefully about, especially in order to make a decision. Contemplate.
Deliberate, intentional thoughts.
Thoughts that require divine intervention because they are not our natural default. That's why James exhorts us to ask God for wisdom.
Wisdom that enables us to trust that whatever God has allowed into our lives is there so He can prove our faith to be genuine, so that He can let steadfastness operate in us....and result in lives that lack nothing. Wisdom that clings to the character of God - always faithful, always loving, always good - and trusts that His purpose for us is good.
"Doubting" isn't emotional wavering. The Greek word used here is "judging...coming to a wrong conclusion about". James is encouraging us here to cling to the truth about God. In the midst of a trial, it's easy to instead believe that God's not always good. That He doesn't love us. That He should've done some things differently.
Wisdom - "Sophia" - is the ability to see life from God's perspective and to trust Who He is. Always good. Always at work on our behalf. Always loving. Towards those who follow Him.
Trials. Testing. Like gold going through a fire to "proof" it. And once it comes out, it is more priceless than before.
That's the reason for our joy.
Genuine faith more precious than gold.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
James 1:2-8It's no secret to any of us that this life is full of trials. Seems like we're either in one, coming out of one, or about to head into one. "Of various kinds" - all sorts of things that cause pain, angst, grief. Trials. I don't like them and you probably don't either. I'd rather have comfort and ease and pleasure, thank you just the same.
Interesting that James tells us that our perspective on these trials should instead be....JOY. Joy. Joy?
Really??
Why?
And, how?
First, the why. That's found in the second phrase - because the testing of our faith produces steadfastness and the full effect of steadfastness at work brings about a life lacking in nothing. Lacking in nothing? WOW! Read that again - lacking in nothing. Sign me up!
Oh, wait. The path to that life is the road marked "trials".
And James says our countenance on that path should be "joy" - the word "chara" literally means little lambs jumping and skipping without a care in the world.
Gulp. In the midst of trials. Trials bring suffering and pain and discomfort. But James says our attitude them should be joy.
Because of what they can bring about in our lives.
How??
Well, James tells us to "count it" - another translation says "consider it". There's the key. "Consider". Choose the thoughts. Think carefully about, especially in order to make a decision. Contemplate.
Deliberate, intentional thoughts.
Thoughts that require divine intervention because they are not our natural default. That's why James exhorts us to ask God for wisdom.
Wisdom that enables us to trust that whatever God has allowed into our lives is there so He can prove our faith to be genuine, so that He can let steadfastness operate in us....and result in lives that lack nothing. Wisdom that clings to the character of God - always faithful, always loving, always good - and trusts that His purpose for us is good.
"Doubting" isn't emotional wavering. The Greek word used here is "judging...coming to a wrong conclusion about". James is encouraging us here to cling to the truth about God. In the midst of a trial, it's easy to instead believe that God's not always good. That He doesn't love us. That He should've done some things differently.
Wisdom - "Sophia" - is the ability to see life from God's perspective and to trust Who He is. Always good. Always at work on our behalf. Always loving. Towards those who follow Him.
Trials. Testing. Like gold going through a fire to "proof" it. And once it comes out, it is more priceless than before.
That's the reason for our joy.
Genuine faith more precious than gold.