When life
tumbles in, what then?
James 1:2-12
Introduction:
Francis
J. Crosby was born quite normal. But at age two she was taken to a country
doctor due to an eye infection. He mistakenly put a hot mustard poultice on her
eyes leaving her blind for life. Her response to her blindness was remarkable.
She is remembered as the writer of hymns like, “Rescue the Perishing”, “Pass me
not Oh Gentle Savior”, “Blessed Assurance” and many, many others. She became
the first woman to speak before a joint session of congress and worked
tirelessly to establish schools for the blind. At age 8 she had discovered a
little jewel she called contentment, which she carried with her throughout life. She wrote a poem about
it.
“Oh
what a happy child am I, although I cannot see;
I
am resolved that in this world contented I will be.
How
many blessings I enjoy that other people don’t;
To
weep and sigh because I’m blind I can not and I won’t.”
Problems
are like bananas, they come in bunches. James opens his letter by talking about
problems and how we are to handle them.
Scripture text:
"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. 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. Let the lowly brother boast in his
exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass
he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the
grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man
fade away in the midst of his pursuits. Blessed is the man who remains
steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown
of life, which God has promised to those who love him".
Body:
Phillips
translates verse 2 like this...
“When all kinds of trials crowd into
your lives don’t resent them as intruders but welcome them as friends.” (James 1:2 Phillips)
Welcome
them as friends? You’ve got to be kidding. How in the world could we do that? James
gives us five reasons for welcoming problems as friends.
1. We can grow in Christ like character (1:3-4)
“Trials of various kinds” - Peirasmos is a test that is directed towards an end, and the end is that he
who is tested should emerge stronger and purer from the testing. God tested
Abraham. Testing is not to tear you down but to build you up. Trials are not
meant to weaken your faith but to strengthen it. The Christian is like an
athlete. The more intense the training the better he will be and so he welcomes
this training.
“The testing of your faith” - Dokimos – This is a process of purifying metals to become valuable coins.
After heating, melting, removing impurities and pouring the metal into a mould
the coins were then allowed to cool. The uneven edges were shaved and smoothed
down before put into circulation. These coins were pure and genuine and of
great value. The aim of testing is to purge out impurities, burn out the dross
of character and leave us purified. 1 Peter 1:6-7
“Produces endurance” - Hupomone is the ability to abide under pressure. This patient endurance is
the crown of Christ like character. Endurance enables us to rest under pressure
rather than retreat.
“And let endurance have its full effect”
- Teleios
– “To be brought to its full end”. Testing prepares us for the work God has
given us to do. We are then fully mature and complete, with no weak spots.
2. We can learn the power of prayer (1:5-8)
Never
do we need wisdom as when we are going through a trial. During trials we are
told to ask for wisdom. Wisdom will enable us to see problems from God’s
perspective.
3. We can develop an unshakable faith (1:6-8)
When
we ask, we are to do it without doubting in our heart. He who doubts is like a
wave of the sea that is tossed back and forth by the wind. He is called a
double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Trials give us an opportunity to
build a life of unshakable faith.
4. We can experience life’s true riches (1:9-11)
We
tend to know the price of everything but the value of nothing. When trials come
our way, we soon realize what is truly important and of greatest value.
5. We can receive the crown of life (1:12)
The
crown speaks of authority and victory. Kings wore crowns as a symbol of their
authority. Athletes wore laurel leaves as crowns after winning at the Greek games.
Conclusion:
Early
last year we discovered that my wife had stage-three cancer. This crushing report
plunged us into a world of surgeries, chemo, radiation, pain, fear, uncertainty
and tears. During one of our lowest moments the words to an old, familiar hymn
came to mind and heart with amazing clarity. It turned out to be a priceless
companion during our difficult journey.
“How
firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord is laid for your faith in his excellent
word, what more could he say than to you he hath said, to you who for refuge to
Jesus have fled.
“Fear
not I am with thee o be not dismayed, for I am thy God and will still give thee
aid, I’ll strengthen thee, help thee and cause thee to stand, upheld by my
righteous, omnipotent hand.”
“When
through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, my grace all sufficient shall be thy
supply. The flame shall not hurt thee, I only design, thy dross to consume and
thy gold to refine”
.
“That
soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose, I will not, I will not desert to his
foes, that soul though all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no never,
no never forsake”.
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