Verses two and three
"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."
Something someone told me recently when I was venting about something, "Congratulations, God won't give you more than you can handle." We need to count it joy when we face trials. Facing trials is part of the Christian life. And why do we face trials? To refine our faith. Recently I heard the illustration of trials being like the refining process of gold. In order for gold to be refined, it must be heated; however, if it is heated too much, it will evaporate. That is how God is with us. He will not allow us to go through more trials than we can handle.
An example we see is Job. When Job was tempted, Satan had to ask God permission to tempt Job. So, in order for us to be tempted, Satan must first ask God. And when Job was tempted, what was his response? "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, Blessed be the name of of the Lord." We need to rejoice in trials. Now, that is easier said than done. But, God grace is enough!!!
Now, another reason for trials is to produce steadfastness. And steadfastness, or it could also be translated "perseverance," is so that we can be more like Christ, perfect. Now, we will never be perfect; however, we can, as Paul puts it, "strive for the masteries." Also, so we can be laking in nothing. Christ needs to be our everything. He needs to complete us, so that we are complete. And trials bring us closer to Christ.
So, those are some random thoughts on James 1:2-3. In future post, I will continue my thoughts on the rest of the chapter.
Soli Deo Gloria
2 comments:
If it weren't for the darkness of the mountains, the ease of the flat path would not be as comforting.
Very true
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