James 1:2-4,12-17 HCSB
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.
Before we go any farther into our text let’s stop and analyze this small portion. Personally I’m a visual learner. I can read a set of text and get nothing, but if you give me an illustration I’ll get it 100%. When I read the text I get confused ‘consider it a great joy whenever you experience trials…” Obviously that’s taken out of context, but that’s why I constantly got confused. After studying I made the graphic below to help me understand the natural flow of events outlined in the verses.
Now it makes sense why we should count it great joy when we experience trials, because ultimately it leads to our growth and maturity as a follower of Christ. The phrase “lacking nothing” in verse 4 isn’t saying we will be perfect (at least not in this life anyway). It means we will be matured, having Christ.
Let’s continue in our scripture (note that we are jumping down from verse 4 to verse 12.
12 A man who endures trials is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God 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, 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.
From above we can understand why a man who endures trials is blessed (mature and complete) but verse 12 adds more be saying when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life. That test is life here on Earth. When we’ve past that test (meaning we die) then we will receive the crown of life (eternal life in heaven with the Father). That’s the ultimate prize.
However, we don’t all view trials like that (be honest). Many times we do the opposite and blame God.. We get upset when things don’t go our way. We may even begin to curse God or say “Why do bad things happen to good people??” “It’s God’s fault! He could’ve stopped this from happening!” Verse 13 tells us to be careful saying that temptations come from God. James makes it clear that NO TEMPTATION comes from God, nor is God tempted by anyone. Our trials come from our temptations. If we press on with endurance, following Christ (like the graphic above) we will mature. If we fail and fall into temptation then (verse 15) we will fall into sin, and sin leads to death. See the graphic below.
Temptations are typically negative, but don’t always have to lead towards sin. That is why God allows temptations to come our way. If we respond correctly (rejecting temptations and clinging to Christ) we will grow. If we respond incorrectly (giving into temptations and falling into sin) we will distance ourselves from Christ.
Trials and temptations will be hurled your way every day. We can’t stop the trials and temptations. What we can do is decide how we will accept them. Will you reject temptation and run to Christ, or will you welcome temptation with open arms, falling into sin?
Bro. Austin
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