2. FACING REFINING TRIALS WITH REAL JOY (James 1:2-16)

James 1:2,3 "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience."

It comes naturally to us to count it all joy when we escape trials and temptations. Surprisingly we are to reckon them as valuable because they contribute to the development of our Christian character. "All joy" is the result of real knowledge, "we know." James states the knowledge that should be common to all in the family of God.

"Trial" (NKJV) is a translation of 'perasmos', is given as "temptation" in the Authorised Version. We experience both. 'Perasmos' .

"The meaning depends on who tempts. If it is God, it is for the purpose of proving someone and never for the purpose of causing him to fall. If it is the devil who tempts, then it is for the purpose of causing one to fall." Spiros Zodhiates - The Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible

James deals with tests that are sent from God in James 1:2-12, and temptations which lead to sin in James 1:13-16. No matter what kind we may find ourselves confronting, they can be faced with all joy, because trials will make us better, and temptations can be overcome by being strong in the Lord.

Notice, James does not say "If", but "WHEN" you fall into various trials" (James 1:2 ). God tested Abraham (Genesis 22:1 ). He will prove and test each of us. Paul is an example not only of being mightily used, but of testings and trials (Acts 20:19 ). James says "when" knowing that the servant is not greater than his Master. The Lord was among us "as one who serves" and could say to His disciples:

Luke 22:28 "But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials."

Our trials will come singly or by many but come they will. Yes, there will inevitably be persecution, pain, but never pointless, always purposeful in the intentions of God.

James 1:2 "... count it all joy ..."

Without a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, it is not possible to "count it all joy" to suffer all kinds of trials. To the worldly minded the concept is unnatural and unintelligible. They either persuade themselves to ignore all adversity, or curse their inevitable fate, or sink into despair. Being a new creation in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17 ), we know the secret that turns all trials into all joy, even His working together for good of all things (Romans 8:28 ). Even though we know better we can fail to make the proper response to trial. We are warned not to despise the discipline of trials nor be discouraged (Hebrews 12:5-6 ). Nor are we to give ourselves to grumbling or become chronic complainers (1 Corinthians 10:10 ). This is destructive. James commands that we rejoice in what God is accomplishing in the trials. In God's hand they are medicine and health for our spiritual wholeness.

Hebrews 12:11 "Now no chastening (discipline) for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."

James 1:3 "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience."

God is working in all the events of life to mould Christian character. It is the testings that strengthen and mature us. In particular God is perfecting in us patience - usually thought of only from its negative side, namely, a calm resignation to God's will in the face of the inevitable trial. The positive side of patience is brought out in the New International translation of the Greek word 'hypomone', "perseverance." 'Hypomone' means:

"patience, endurance as to things or circumstances. 'Hupomone' is associated with hope (1 Thessalonians 1:3 ) and refers to the quality that does not surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial." Hebrew Greek Key Study Bible

This perseverance is produced by testing. Without being subjected to storms and fires of persecution, or never being confronted with problems, the spiritual muscles of enduring faith would be undeveloped. A lady confided in her Pastor that she lacked patience and requested that he pray for her. To her astonishment he prayed for tribulation. When she asked why, he quoted Romans 5:3, "that tribulation worketh patience" (KJV).

The believer has no need to pray for trials, they will come, and must be overcome, a process that makes the believer become strong in perseverance . Our view then of trials should be far from a morbid one. Rather we should see them as the means of joyous, triumphant development of our faith and character.

Romans 5:2-5 "By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³ And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; ⁴ And patience, experience; and experience, hope: ⁵ And hope maketh not ashamed; ..."

James 1:4 "But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

Perfect perseverance will result in personal completeness in the shaping of the whole person, the coming to spiritual maturity, lacking nothing that mirrors Christ. By the grace of perseverance we are to avoid thwarting God's programme in our lives. Our faith is proved by our patient endurance. We can depend on the divine Refiner who, when He sees His own reflection will readily turn off the heat.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

Do you face refining trials with real joy, and could you explain why? (James 1:2-3 ).