Perhaps you have seen the bumper sticker that says, 'When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade'. It's easier to smile at the statement than to practice it, but the basic philosophy is sound. In fact it is biblical. Throughout the bible there are people who turned defeat into victory and trial into triumph. Instead of being victims, they became victors. 'It's not what happens to you in this life that is important...it's what you do with it.'
James tells us that we can and indeed, should have this same experience today. No matter what the trials are that come, no matter what they may be on the outside or the temptations on the inside, through faith in Christ we can experience victory. And the result of this victory is spiritual maturity.
There are 4 key commands that James gives to us.
He says:
- Count
- Know
- Let
- Ask
Or to put it another way there are 4 essentials for victory in trials - a joyful attitude, an understanding mind, a surrendered will, and a heart that wants to believe.
Count - a Joyful Attitude
Outlook determines outcome and attitude determines action All comes from the heart.
Not 'IF you fall into various testings but WHEN you fall....
If you expect life as a Christian to be easy you are in for a shock! It is not an insurance policy!
As in the Lord of the Rings films evil will hunt you. That's truth of Christian walk. Some trials come because we are human - sickness, accidents, disappointments, tragedies.
Other trials come because we are Christians. Peter says this in his first letter - 'Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you.'
Satan fights us - his job…
TRIALS WILL BE MANY AND VARIED
Someone has described our lives and our trials as like a piece of tartan - God arranges and mixes the colours and experiences of life - the final thing , if we let it, can be a beautiful product for his glory.
Undersides of some rugs, intricate cloths can be anything but beautiful - 'Don't judge the worker or the work by looking at the wrong side'.
Only God sees the finished pattern.
Key word is count - it means 'To evaluate'. When we face trials we must evaluate them in the light of what God is doing in us. Trials rightly used help us to mature….wants to produce fruit of his spirit in us….patience, etc
2. Understanding mind
What do we KNOW?
1. Faith is always tested. God brings out best
2. Testing works for us, not against us...word trying literally means 'approval'...! (Peter 1 v 7)
That the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that perishes.
3. Let - a surrendered will God can't build character without our co-operation.
If we submit - He can accomplish what he must. His goal for our lives is maturity.
Gift of Jesus - gift of Spirit - what he wants to do through us. What is God doing in you and through you ???? He wants a surrendered will.
That's why we can have joy. WE focus, live for the things that matter most. Jesus went to the cross because of 'the joy that was set before him'.
Our values determine our actions.
If comfort valued more than character and physical more than spiritual - we will not be able to 'count it all joy'.
If we live in the present...trials make us bitter.
4. Ask - a believing heart
Ask God for wisdom. James has a lot to say about wisdom. Knowledge is the ability to take things apart, while wisdom is the ability to put them together. Wisdom is the right use of knowledge.
Why do we need wisdom when we are going through trials Pray that we will not waste the opportunities God gives us to Mature.
- We are to ask for wisdom
- We are to ask in faith
- Don't be up and down like the waves
- Blessed is the man that can endure temptation.
God builds character before service. He must work in us before through us. |
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Introduction To James
AT WAR!!
The healing church and the call to worship
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