Casual Christianity - Celebrate Your Trials - James 1:1-18 - November 8, 2009

Bible Study – Casual Christianity – Celebrate Your Trials – November 8, 2009

This is study two (2) in our series entitled “Casual Christianity.”

Our scripture is James 1:2-18.

We cycle back to the beginning verses of Chapter 1, where James tells his readers to count it all joy when trials come their way. When trials come their way, Christians must be true believers and on the firm foundation of CHRIST before they can truly count it all joy. It is the joy of knowing that GOD has allowed the trial for our good to make us more into the image of HIS SON.

Trials are not temptations. GOD uses trials to perfect, whereas Satan uses temptations to defeat and destroy. GOD is not running around looking for an opportunity to put believers into a trial situation. They are already surrounded by many possible opportunities just by being alive and human. Often, people find themselves in circumstances and situations that need GOD’S wisdom. Christians have direct access to GOD through the miracle of rebirth. Issues in life can lead non-believers to become believers.

Being a believer is NOT a magic wand. Believers suffer as many others but have the choice whether or not to seek GOD’S help. Believers can make unwise decisions and find themselves in a world of trouble. In that case, the unwise believer must confess his/her bad decision and seek GOD’S wisdom and guidance. The believer may have to live with the consequences of his/her action. This gives the opportunity to learn from his/her bad decision and hopefully will be drawn closer to GOD. GOD never overrides our right to choose. Situations resulting from sin or bad decisions can be opportunities for spiritual growth but GOD did not lead you to that bad decision or sin.

Then there are situations when believers are doing the right thing and find themselves in trying circumstances. This can be the result of just living and going through life. Such trials or tests provide opportunity for Christians to be drawn into more intimate, loving relationships with GOD when they focus on HIM as they go through these times.

In our last study, we studied the spiritual perfecting of Abraham when GOD asked him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. Abraham had a decision to make whether or not to obey GOD. The foreknowledge of GOD allowed HIM to know how Abraham would choose. But Abraham did not know how he would choose until faced with the decision. GOD wanted Abraham to see for himself the level of his faith in HIM which would draw them even closer in their relationship. Abraham knew that sacrificing his son meant that Isaac would be reduced to ashes. Abraham had such faith in GOD that he believed GOD would resurrect Isaac from the ashes. Isaac was a good as dead, as far as Abraham was concerned. GOD stopped Abraham from killing his son and provided a ram for the sacrifice. GOD revealed HIS sufficiency to Abraham.

This trial led Abraham to the pinnacle of his spiritual growth and maturity. This was the thought which James portrayed in these opening verses of his letter to fellow believers. GOD allows trials for a purpose. Trials give believers the opportunity to either come closer to their LORD or get angry with HIM or somewhere in between. Trials are no fun and only after we get through them, we may or may not see the benefit.

The Apostle Paul gives us a glimpse of the purpose of some trials, circumstances and situations in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4:

The God of Comfort

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our affliction,[2] Or trouble, or tribulation, or trials, or oppression; the Gk word has a lit meaning of being under pressure. so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

It has been my experience that GOD most often does not take us over, under or around situations but straight through them. Figuratively speaking, when we come out on the other end we may be battered, bloody and bruised but stronger in HIM. GOD practices tough love in raising HIS children just as earthly parents do. HE knows what we are capable of achieving. We must keep in mind that GOD did not make us for time but for eternity. Believe me it is often not easy. I often have a “pity party” when I am going through situations. The key is that I tell GOD how I am feeling and my hope is that I will know HIM better and will be made stronger after the trial is over. But I still don’t like what I am experiencing. As I have shared with you often, it is important that we talk honestly to GOD about issues we have with HIM.

Let’s read James 1:1-4:

Greeting

1 James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the 12 tribes in the Dispersion. Greetings.

Trials and Maturity

2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

As we mentioned in study one (1), James is the half brother of JESUS and he referred to himself as the slave of both GOD and JESUS. He also referred to JESUS as LORD.

James is writing his letter to fellow Christians who remained in Jerusalem and to those who have been scattered throughout the country. The Jewish Christians were being persecuted, experiencing poverty, loneliness and likely other trials not mentioned in the letter.

James told his readers, “consider it a great joy, my brothers (and sisters), whenever you experience various trials.” This is where the rubber meets the road. It is hard to fake being a true believer when you are being tested. James said to “count it a great joy.”

I know of a rather large church that threw a “Count it all joy party” whenever its members had serious problems in their lives. To me that takes a lot of faith. They told of many wonderful things that came out of having a “count it all joy party.”

Here we have to be careful. Are we having a “count it all joy party” in an effort to manipulate GOD to bring about a positive result? Are we led to have such a party regardless of the outcome because we rejoice in the fact that GOD is in control? Trials are for the purpose of perfecting. When our faith is being perfected, then we have such a party out of a heart that is truly being responsive to HIS sovereignty and majesty. It is with a knowing that whatever comes from the trial, it will be a blessing. Am I there? NO!!! It is always my hope that the trial will do its work in me. But I am stubborn, which is not good.

I have never had or been to a “count it all joy party.” But James was not saying to have a “count it all joy party.” He is saying “count it all joy” and let the trial do its work as you are drawn closer to GOD and are perfected.

It seems that James was telling his readers when GOD allows trials to come your way, rejoice because GOD considers you worthy of honing your spiritual life. The end goal is not endurance. It is not being able to say, “Well I got through that, boy I am strong.” It is enduring the trial focused on GOD and HIS sufficiency that is important. It is your relationship with GOD through the trial that produces spiritual growth and maturity which results in you being more spiritually complete or whole – lacking nothing. You emerge from the trial more connected to CHRIST, through relationship. You are abiding in CHRIST.

This is part of the sanctification process as believers seek to obediently serve their LORD. GOD is the orchestrator.

Let’s read James 1:5-11:

5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. 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]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. 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.

James continued with the concept of trials bringing about wholeness. He told his readers that when they are going through trials and they need wisdom, to know what to do or not to do, they need to ask GOD. Wisdom as used here is not intellectual or some philosophical knowledge. It is wisdom that comes from GOD and reveals HIS insight from HIS vantage point as how best to handle the situation or trial. Often, GOD reveals such wisdom as believers look into the mirror of HIS Word. But HE can reveal it any way HE chooses.

I think of this as asking our LORD, “LORD, to my knowledge I have done nothing to take me out of your circle of protection. But if I have, please reveal it to me. Otherwise, I trust that what I am experiencing is from YOU and it is for the purpose of helping me to grow and mature spiritually. But I am having a hard time going through this and I need your wisdom to help me get through this and not cut short what I need to learn. Please reveal to me your wisdom and what I need to do for this trial to be as effective as YOU want it to be for me, so that I will continue to obediently serve YOU.”

James says that GOD gives generously and without criticism (v. 5). This means that GOD answers our prayers and does not fault us when we ask HIM questions or ask for HIS wisdom, which is asking HIM for HIS insight into a situation. James made it clear that the person making the request for wisdom in faith and not doubting or wavering will receive it. It is important that believers trust HIM during trials.

Trials come to both the poor and the rich. Trials will not change that status. The poor will still be physically poor but spiritually rich. The rich will still be rich and also spiritually rich. The rich have to be reminded that one day they will leave all of their riches behind. Their sufficiency is in GOD and not their riches. This fact should humble the rich. GOD is no respecter of social status.

If you have not experienced a trial it is likely just being a human, living in a sinful world, you will encounter a trial. How will you handle it? No one knows until they come face to face with it. Keep in mind that a trial in not a temptation but it can lead to temptation if you do not keep your mind focused upon GOD and seek HIS wisdom and help as you go through it.

Let’s read James 1:12-18:

12 Blessed is a man (or woman) who endures trials,[1] Lit trial, used as a collective because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that He[2] Other mss read that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God.” For God is not tempted by evil,[3] Or evil persons, or evil things and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone. 14 But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires. 15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death. 16 Don’t be deceived, my dearly loved brothers. 17 Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning. 18 By His own choice, He gave us a new birth by the message of truth[4] message of truth = the gospel so that we would be the • firstfruits[5] Nm 15:17–21 of His creatures.

Enduring trials focused on GOD produces spiritual growth and maturity. It produces a more intimate, loving relationship with GOD through CHRIST. It produces a spiritual solidness and assurance, which is a spiritual wholeness. This in turn results in the reward of “crown of life” that HE has promised to all that love HIM.

What is the “crown of life?” It is the result of getting through a trial or test and knowing that GOD saw you through it to perfect you and you have been drawn closer to HIM. Your relationship with HIM is more real than ever because you know HIM better and your trust and confidence in HIM is greater. I am reminded of the scripture in John 10:10: - 10 A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance.

The more believers get to know JESUS, the more abundant is their life. This process results in the “crown of life”, which is the pinnacle of living life on this earth which also carries believers into eternity. It is winning the race with the ultimate race being when we run across the finish line into the arms of JESUS, WHO says “Well done good and faithful servant.” Now that to me is a mind blower!!!

As mentioned earlier, a trial is not a temptation. GOD does not tempt any one. Normal living in a sinful world will provide sufficient temptation. Never think that GOD tempts you. Often, believers who have an affair think that GOD has allowed this other person to come into his/her life as his/her “soul mate.”DO NOT BE FOOLED!!! This other person is not your “soul mate.” I know divorce happens but it is devastating, especially when children are involved. I am not saying that people in an abusive situation should stay. Get help and get away. Being abused is not a trial from GOD. It is the result of an evil, lower than life coward. My prayer is that every abuser will be revealed and will get help. The same is for addicts. GOD can help them.

All good gifts come from GOD, WHO is the creator of all you see when you look up into the heavens and see HIS handiwork, thus the Father of lights. If HE can create such a wonderful universe and maintain order, then HE can guide your live if you allow HIM. You are of greater importance because HE sent HIS ONLY SON JESUS to die for you so that you can be set free from your sins by believing in HIM. GOD resurrected JESUS from the dead as proof that HE is the true Messiah. HE sent the HOLY SPIRIT to indwell you as a down payment or security deposit to assure you that your faith in HIM is real and that you have eternal life. At the moment of their salvation, born-again believers become the first fruits of those experiencing rebirth into the family of GOD. Just as all people were born into their physical family and had to grow and mature, so do believers when they are born into GOD’S family. Salvation is just the beginning of a believer’s journey of sanctification.

Born-again believers will still encounter trials in their lives because they live in a sinful world. But the Good News is that GOD will never leave them or forsake them. Since HE never takes away a believer’s right to choose, he/she must stay focused upon HIM when trials come their way. GOD’S purpose is for the believer to be made more spiritually whole to become the person HE desires. HE knows what you are capable of becoming.

I taught James years ago. It is a book on being a mature Christian. When I completed the study, I remember praying and asking the LORD to make me a mature Christian. Be careful what you ask for. I was immature and was aware of it. I thought GOD would sprinkle me with Holy Dust and poof; I would have instant spiritual maturity. WRONG!!! HE cleaned my clock, so to speak, of all false notions and spiritual misconceptions I had accumulated over the years. I was reduced to the foundation of CHRIST. I knew I was a Christian and never questioned my salvation. It was upon this foundation that HE began building my spiritual life in HIM. HE has been rebuilding my spiritual life ever since and HE is still working on me. Has it been easy? NO!!! Would I do it again? YES, but with fear and trembling.

May our LORD bless you richly from HIS storehouse as you seek to serve HIM.