James 1
Bible Passage: James 1
The book of James has many practical Christian teachings. Whenever I read this book, I always feel the sense of my shortfall in faith and not being able to achieve the perfectness that Jesus expects us. However, despite seeing my shortfalls, the Word of God reminds me again that I need to improve my relationship with Him and improve my Christian character. As if we were perfect, we would ascend to heaven like Elijah and there is no need for the Holy Spirit to dwell in us.
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” (James 1:2)
God wants to refine us as gold in fire. He gives us trials or tests so that our faith can grow. Trials are and will be given to all Christians who are of the true faith. Unfortunately or fortunately, it is through these trials that we are able to know our true level of faith in Jesus. Just like when we were students or are students, tests are used to gauge the level of our proficiency in the subjects we take. Likewise, God uses trials for us to gauge our level of faith; He does not need to use trials to ascertain our level of faith since He already knows it.
Through all these years of my faith I have realized that these verse is very true indeed. Trials are definitely not easy but once we acknowledge that these are trials instead of complaining to God why there is no peace, we are already of the right mindset. Trials tend to be long drawn affairs. Since they are trials, a simple prayer will tend to be insufficient. They are used to test our faith in Jesus and our perseverance in relying on Him and trusting in His Words.
More often than not, as humans, we tend to go for the short cuts; we tend to ask ourselves “why me” when something bad befall us. As humans, we tend to want things solved immediately. We also tend to look for our friends or experts to solve the obstacles that God has presented for us.
I ask myself, when we rely on our friends or experts, are we really relying on God? In actual fact, if we go ahead to rely on friends or experts at the sign of trials or troubles, it actually shows the lack of our faith in God. I have realized, if these trials are from God, these friends or experts will by no means solve them. It is only through humble, persistent and true reliant prayers that will pull us through these God given trials.
And when we come out victorious in these trials, our faith would have grown. We would become more patient with God and have more trust in God’s providence. We will come out a better Christian with more experiences of God’s mercy and grace.
James tells us that we ought to count it a ‘joy’ when we fall into various trials. I must admit it is hard to actually find ‘joy’ in trials. I guess as we grow in faith there will come a time when we are capable of finding joy in times of trials.
These are few verses in the Bible that have and continue to encourage me in trials.
“Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Mt 11:28)
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let our requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7)
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Rom 8:28)
For those of us who are in trials, take heart that Jesus will give us rest when we come before Him in prayers and supplication with thanksgiving. We shall receive peace from God that surpasses all understanding and that all things no matter how insurmountable they look will work out for good. We shall receive blessings in disguise. This is my experience.
May Jesus the Prince of Peace grant to us this everlasting and trusting faith in Him and refine us in fire before His coming. Amen.
One Comment
PS
James 1:26-27 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceive his own heart, this one’s religion is vain. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
Elder James was writing to the twelve tribes of brethren who were scattered abroad.
Elder James definitely knew the preciousness of the remission of sins through baptism in the name of Jesus Christ.
Yet in James 1:26 he wrote plainly that one who doesn’t bridle his tongue, his religion is vain.
Then he went on to define pure and undefiled religion before the God who saved us is to visit orphans and widows in their troubles and to keep oneself unspotted by the world.
May be bec they are unlikely to repay the help (be it financial, emotional and practical) rendered to them. Moreover these helps are likely to be on an extended period of time too.
When one does visit, it is important to bridle one’s tongue. The advice in James 1:19 is most handy: swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath.
Many years back when my mum called my late father’s sister to inform her that my father had passed away in a foreign land, she advised my mum to consider carefully whether it was worthwhile to fly over to bring back his ash. Then the conversation ended.
My aunty never contacted us again. When i asked my mum if she is angry with this aunty. My mum replied 长贫难顾 ie it is difficult to show continued care over a long term.
i ask myself whether i m able to visit orphans and widows in their trouble? A frank answer is shameful hesitation. Despite the fact that i have been a recipient of such care and concern and i understand their loneliness and helplessness. Most importantly i experience that the grace of God is indeed sufficient.
Sigh, i can’t make it for the first test, there is no need even to think about the spotty test.