James is interested in the development of our faith. God’s plan is to make us like Jesus Christ. Every test or trial should promote that development.
James 1:2-8 NIV84 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
The life of faith is filled with tests and trials.
Although God does not tempt or test us, He wants us to profit when we face them. These things are usual and customary for everyone, but how we go through them gives evidence of our faith. God wants to develop or “fully form” Christ in you, (Galatians 4:19) Accordingly, every test or trial should encourage and enhance our Christlike behavior, character, and attitude. When we triumphantly go through trials and tests, we should come out stronger and more steadfast. Since God has claimed us as His own, He has made certain promises about the tests and trials that we face.
Isaiah 43:2 NKJV When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.
Your fiery test and trial should not destroy you. Through them all, we should be a living demonstration of the abiding presence and power of Christ. In everything, we are giving evidence that Christ actually lives in our hearts and lives. We are a living testimony of the power of the Holy Spirit and the victory that is in Christ Jesus.
We have frequently demonstrated that the Lord our God is in control. Since we have an unchangeable God who never loses control, our faith is strong. Since our reliance and faith are in Him, we know that we can face every situation with confidence and boldness.
Although God does not tempt or test us, He does allow these things to happen. He will never allow a test or trial that He is not present to help us through. God’s goal is to prove us and make us stronger. He wants to stir us up to make us more like Jesus Christ.
You remember when the disciples were with Christ in the boat and the wind was blowing, the storm was raging and the waves were beating into the boat. The disciples’ faith was weak. Jesus stood up and rebuked the wind and waves, and then asked them, “Where is your faith.” Jesus did not want them to be destroyed in the storm. He wanted them to have faith.
Most often the test and trial come to draw attention to the things that need to change in our lives. God will allow us to go through the storm, trial and test so that we can draw from His power and strength. You need stronger faith and power with God. Things in your life need to be changed so that you are more like Christ in your daily life. The Holy Spirit will provoke these changes in your life. He is not satisfied if we are stagnant, static or immature.
God wants to make us “perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” In the process of transforming us into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ, God will allow the test and trial of our faith. God has a goal of profit and benefit in mind. He has prepared a crown of life for those who persevere in trial and test.
Some people become misdirected when they face deep waters or fiery trials. They think the test or trial is evidence that God does not love them. You should be absolutely convinced of God’s love and Jesus’ affection. No greater love can be demonstrated than Christ’s love. He willingly laid down His life as proof of His love. There is no greater blessing than to be able to reciprocate that love to Him.
God is going to stir us up so that we have to face the things that need to change in us. God wants us to become “mature and complete, not lacking anything.” God will allow us to face uncomfortable situations that draw our attention to what needs to be changed. He wants us to face our test, temptations, and trials and conquer them.
God really does want you to become an invincible champion in Christ Jesus. For that to happen, we have to face our test and trials head-on and conquer them. By conquering them, we become more like Christ. Through our abundant victory, Christ is honored and glorified. Through our victory, we are perfected and strengthened. God wants to make us victorious and robust. He wants to make you stronger, complete and perfect. He wants a powerful and holy Church. James said we would fall into all kinds of temptations and trials. We must learn to profit from our tests, trials.
James 1:4 NKJV But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
This development of our faith is the process of transformation into the image of Christ.
Romans 8:29 NKJV For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
This process of being conformed into the image of Christ is the development of our faith.
2 Corinthians 3:18 NLTSo all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
Do you know that God wants to demonstrate His glory through us to the world?So, what is God doing? He is going to change us. Before we came to Christ, we did not have glory. God has exposed us to His power and His glory. Our own goodness and strength is inadequate.
The Holy Spirit is changing us into the glorious image of Jesus Christ. How is He making this transformation? What were you like before you were saved? Has God cleansed and changed your life? God does not want us carrying the old baggage of our sinful estate. To facilitate this change, the Holy Spirit wants to keep us before the Lord. He wants to expose us to God’s glory and cause us to reflect the glory of Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:17 NIVFor our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. (NKJV – “Light afflictions”)
These trials, tests, troubles, and afflictions are achieving something in us. These words challenge us because of the nature of our momentary afflictions and troubles. The Apostle Paul looked at these afflictions, tests and trials as things that were painful.
Hebrews 12:11 NIVNo discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
God really wants what is best for us. This transformation or transition is intended to conform us into the image and nature of Jesus.
Moses had a transformation on the mountain with God. When Moses came out from the presence of God, His countenance was changed. The glory of God was radiant in his face. The change was evident for all who saw him. So, Moses put a veil over his face, so people could not see the change that had occurred.
God wants the veil removed from our face so people can see the change Jesus Christ has made in us. 2 Corinthians 3 said those under the Old Covenant still had a veil that covered their hearts. Those who turn to the Lord have the veil taken away. Once this happens, the Holy Spirit takes us into a new dimension of victory in Christ. God is in the process of bringing us into His glory.
To demonstrate that change more fully, God allows all kinds of situations to come in our lives. God wants the testimony of Christ to reflect Jesus Christ in every situation. We should reflect the glory of Christ when life is fair and when the enemy comes in like a roaring lion. We are a reflection of the glory of God that resides within.
Our focus is often on the smaller and immediate things.
When you read Job what is your opinion? Satan came before God and was accusing Job. Job was blameless, upright, feared God and shunned evil. Was God concerned about Job’s life, houses, and lands? Did God care about Job’s health, children, finances and possessions? All of those questions refer to the smaller picture.
These things concern us tremendously, but there is a weightier matter.God looked at Job as a man that could make it through the test of his faith. It was not enough for Job to trust God. God could trust Job.
God told Satan: “Job’s faith will stand the test.” He was a man of integrity, righteousness, faith, and strength. God knew what kind of man Job was. No one can state it better than Job did.
Job 23:10 NIV “But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”
Job trusted in God’s ultimate care over his life. His faith was strong and he was committed to God. Job said, “Though God slay me, yet, will I trust Him.” We don’t have to have all of the answers, all we need is faith in God.
The person with faith in God will come out victoriously.
We must know what kind of God we serve. The Lord our God does not change. He is faithful, almighty, and good all the time. We can trust God through every trial and test of our faith. There are all kinds of them and they affect every aspect and situation of life. General knowledge about God is not enough to fuel unshakable faith. Through the fiery tests, we recognize the ever-present help of Almighty God. Paul said: “None of these things move me! That I might win Christ!”
James 1:5 LB If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask Him, and He will gladly tell you, for He is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him; He will not resent it.
Wisdom is not just a head full of facts. Wisdom understands the trials and temptations and how to take action and gain the victory. God is working in us and on our behalf. He wants to make you stronger and better. I have said this many times, but we need to hear it again.
God loves us.
In the heat of the test or temptation, you need to know that God still loves you. Repeat this to yourself several times: “God loves me.” Since we know that God loves us, we must do something.
We have a responsibility. We have to hold on to our faith in God. Don’t allow Satan or the tests to destroy your faith. Hold on to your faith when you are sifted and tried. Persevere in the time of testing and trial. When this thing is over, the reward is coming.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
James 1:12 NKJV Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
James is telling us the same thing that Paul said.
Romans 6:13 NKJV Do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
Paul told the Ephesians to fight a good fight.
Ephesians 6:13 NKJVTherefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
When James tells you to let patience have her perfect work in you, he is NOT telling you to be careless and indifferent. We must have vigilance and faith. Face your test, trial or temptation with a true faith in God.
In Luke 6:48,Jesus gave a perfect illustration.
Luke 6:48 AMP He is like a man building a house, who dug and went down deep and laid a foundation upon the rock; and when a flood arose, the torrent broke against that house and could not shake or move it, because it had been securely built or founded on a rock.
House shaking trials, tests, and temptations are going to come. By having an unshakable faith in Jesus Christ we are not going to be destroyed. Through Jesus Christ, we shall wear a crown.
Revelation 3:11 NKJV Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
