Friday, June 13, 2014

Posted by Niki |
James 1:3 “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”

The trying of our faith is a test. A test is a measurement of what we have learned over a period of time. The word test is positive although it has negative connotations. The Greek root word is the same word used in I Peter 1:6-7 meaning “proved genuine”. Trials and tests do not determine whether or not believers have faith. The trials strengthen believers by adding perseverance to the faith that is already present.

The word patience that is used here means the same thing as endurance. In our everyday lives we hear about endurance when runners or athletes are mentioned. They have to train to build their endurance in order for their bodies to remain strong throughout the duration of their events. Spiritual endurance is the same thing. It is faith that becomes stretched out. It involves trusting God for a long duration (see Hebrews 12:1-4). What makes it so hard to endure trials? Most times we get ourselves all worked up about how to get out of them rather than stick them out to find out the blessings during the trial. There are three main reactions to a trial:
  • Escape: This is generally our first line of defense. Avoid, deny, or escape. James gives us the answer to these unescapable trials. What do we do during times of trouble that we can’t escape? COUNT THEM JOY.
  • Explain: Why me? What did I do? We begin demanding answers from God because we feel like we are being punished unjustly. Some trials are just unavoidable and unexplainable. What does James have to say about these times? COUNT THEM JOY.
  • Exit: We’ll do anything we can to get away from a trial. Shortcuts, negotiations, cutting deals. We have to remember that God’s timing isn’t ours. Our trials are on his time. There might not be a quick fix or a speedy exit. We must still COUNT THEM JOY.

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