James 1:1-4 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
I. Context of James 1:2-4
a. James writes as a Christian Jew in hopes that Jews everywhere will embrace Jesus as Messiah
b. V. 1- written to the “12 tribes in the dispersion”—reference to Jews (both Christian and non-Christian) that were in communities throughout the Roman empire
c. Jewish people were quite familiar with suffering (dispersion is evidence of that)
II. Consider it pure joy…
a. What is joy?
i. Differs from happiness and pleasure- though happiness and pleasure can derive from joy
ii. Joy looks beyond oneself; finds the good in other’s benefit and/or the greater good (a totally self-centered person will not find joy)
iii. We can choose joy
III. Trials
a. When you face them, not if
b. Of various kinds… life is full of all kinds of trials
i. Trials in a broken world—grief, health concerns
ii. Trials as a Christian—sacrifice, persecution
IV. The Purpose
a. Test of faith—authenticity is only known when tested
i. Are you a sincere follower of Christ or are you looking to get something out of faith/church/Jesus?
ii. “The wind of tribulation blows away the chaff of error, hypocrisy, and doubt, leaving that which survives the test” James Adamson
V. God’s Plan; Our Benefit with Suffering
a. Testing of faith develops perseverance
i. Perseverance—endurance, staying power
b. Becomes mature and complete
i. Mature also transition being perfected
1. indicates OT idea of perfection ‘as a right relationship to God expressed in an undivided and unblemished life’ (James Adamson)
ii. God uses our trials to perfect our Christian character (realizing we still fall short)
VI. Summary
a. Trials are inevitable for everyone, but the Christian can perceive the bigger picture beyond herself/himself
b. Find joy that God is working in you
c. Find joy that God is working through you in others
d. Find hope that the trials of this world will cease
e. Learn contentment in all circumstances (Philippians 4:10-13)
