2. KEY TEXT
“Let us fix our eyes on
Jesus, the author and
perfecter of our faith, who
for the joy set before him
endured the cross,
scorning its shame, and sat
down at the right hand of
the throne of God”
Hebrews 12:2
4. “My brethren, count it all joy when you
fall into various trials, knowing that
the testing of your faith produces
patience.” (James 1:2-3)
Peter wrote that we must be “grieved by
various trials” (1P. 1:6). How can we feel “all
joy” when we are grieved by trials?
James used the expression “the testing of your
faith” to explain a process of testing. Our faith
is tested in several ways (some of them may be
painful), so it may shine like gold and produce
fruit, patience.
How to exercise our faith:
1. Believe in a loving Father.
2. Trust in His wisdom.
3. Act according to His Word.
Blessed are those who see
the final result beyond the
present sorrow by faith
(Mt. 5:12)
We feel “all joy” if we
concentrate on the refined
gold, instead of gazing at the
fire.
5. “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be
perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:4)
Faith Trials Patience
God set a goal for us: to be perfect
(spiritual maturity) and upright
(completely whole)
According to Ephesians 4:13, when
will we achieve that perfection?
We will be perfect when we become
like Christ.
Paul understood that he was not
perfect yet (Phil. 3:12-15). We must
follow his example, pressing toward
the mark.
Perfection
6. “If any of you lacks wisdom,
let him ask of God, who gives
to all liberally and without
reproach, and it will be given to
him. But let him ask in faith,
with no doubting, for he who
doubts is like a wave of the sea
driven and tossed by the wind.”
(James 1:5-6)
According to the Bible, wisdom is
not just knowledge. Wisdom is being
able to act in “the fear of the Lord”
(Proverbs 9:10)
Listening, silencing and being angry
at the right time (James 1:19)
Understanding the needs of others
(James 2:15-16)
Behaving properly and humbly
(James 3:13)
We must ask for that kind of wisdom
with faith. We must believe that God
has the power to change us, so our
lives may reflect our communion with
Christ.
7. “For let not that man suppose that he will receive
anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded
man, unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:7-8)
James asked us the same Elijah did, “How long will you
falter between two opinions?” (1K. 18:21). The “double-
minded man” is hesitant between faith and doubt.
A God-given faith that is
purified in the refining
pot of trials can move
mountains. That’s a
doubtless faith.
Our faith must be alive; it must
grow. When we seek God and
trust Him in all circumstances, we
are exercising our faith.
That’s how it grows.
8. “The most trying experiences in the Christian life may be
the most blessed. The special providences of the dark
hours may encourage the soul in the future attacks of
Satan, and equip the soul to stand most fiery trials. The
trial of your faith is more precious than gold. But in order
to endure the test, you must have that faith, that abiding
confidence in God, that will not be disturbed by the
arguments and temptations of the deceiver. Take the Lord
at his word. Study the promises, and appropriate them as
you have need. ‘Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by
the word of God.’ Happy is the man, who, when tempted,
finds his soul rich in the knowledge of the Scriptures,
who finds shelter beneath the promises of God. ‘Thy
word,’ said the psalmist, ‘have I hid in mine heart, that I
might not sin against thee.’ We need that calm, steady
faith, that undaunted moral courage, that none but Christ
can give, in order that we may be braced for trial and
strengthened for duty.”
E.G.W. (The Review and Herald, April 17, 1894)
9. “Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his
humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. For
no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the
grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So
the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.” (James 1:9-11)
The rich will fade away
(James 1:11)
They must care about the orphans
and the widows (James 1:27)
They only care about themselves
(James 5:1-4)
They don’t pay their employees
(James 5:4)
Wealth chokes the seed of the
Gospel (Lk. 8:14)
They must care about the needy
(Mt. 25:37-40)
They only care about themselves
(Lk. 12:16-21)
The laborer is worthy of his wages
(Lk. 10:7)
James’ teachings on the rich may seem extreme, but Jesus taught
the same:
10. “The Bible does not condemn the rich man because he is
rich; it does not declare the acquisition of wealth to be a
sin, nor does it say that money is the root of all evil. On
the contrary, the Scriptures state that it is God who
gives the power to get wealth. And this ability is a
precious talent if consecrated to God and employed to
advance His cause. The Bible does not condemn genius
or art; for these come of the wisdom which God gives.
We cannot make the heart purer or holier by clothing
the body in sackcloth, or depriving the home of all that
ministers to comfort, taste, or convenience.
The Scriptures teach that wealth is a dangerous
possession only when placed in competition with the
immortal treasure. It is when the earthly and temporal
absorbs the thoughts, the affections, the devotion
which God claims, that it becomes a snare.”
E.G.W. (Counsels on Stewardship, cp. 28, pg. 138)
11. JAMES,
THE BROTHER OF JESUS
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