The Foundation for Testing James 1:2-4

The Foundation for Testing

James 1:2-4

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Consider it pure joy ...whenever you face trials
After a brief introduction James wastes no time getting to the point of his letter.  He immediately challenges his fellow Jews to consider their current situation of persecution (trials) with a joyful heart.  If we are honest we would admit that feeling joy in the middle of trials and trouble is not normal…. and its not!  To rejoice in difficult times takes a conscious effort for the believer, ...but it is possible.  The question I am asked most is this: “How do I have joy in trials?”  The answer lies in seeing beyond the trial.  When looking beyond the trial and understanding what the trial is doing (in this case bringing about maturity) you are enabling yourself to experience a certain level of joy.  Also remember that joy is more than happiness or temporary exhilaration.  One can experience joy in the most difficult times.  

Some time ago I was dealing with constant pain because of a severe ankle injury.  The diagnosis required I have ankle fusion surgery due to the erosion of cartilage in my joints. The procedure would require five screws to be inserted to secure the repaired joint.  My response to the thought of surgery was not a happy one.  I did not high five my friends or throw a party.  But, on the other hand, there was a sense of joy present when I looked beyond the problem.  I recognized the next eight weeks in a cast would be tough, the following physical therapy would be difficult, but in the end my ankle problem would be resolved and I could get back to a normal lifestyle. By looking beyond the painful period of the trial and toward the end result of the trial, I experienced a sense of joy.  As I look back on the event I continue to look at the entire experience with satisfaction and joy.

As we continue, notice the text did not say to have joy “if” we face trials, but “when” we face trials.  The NIV Bible uses the word “whenever” here but the original context tells us that trials will come.  In the original Greek language the word for trial here is a word that means to test something in order to make it stronger.  A simple example would be a young bird testing its wings as it learns to fly.  The same idea applies to the Christian as we are tested by God to build us into stronger and more mature believers.

I love what William Barclay, in his Daily Study Bible series on the book of James, writes on facing trials:

“...they are not meant to make us fall; they are meant to make us soar.  They are not meant to defeat us; they are meant to be defeated.  They are not meant to make us weaker; they are meant to make us stronger.  Therefore we should not bemoan them (be sorrowful); we should rejoice in them.”

Because you know...
The reason we are to have joy when we face trials is because we “know” God is sending the trials and we “know” God is using trials to make us stronger.  The word “know” here implies understanding the purpose for the trial.  Trials are sent by God to test our faith and develop perseverance in our spiritual life so we can be more effective in our witness and works.

Trials are used to test your faith.  The word testing here is the Greek word “dokimion” (pronounced dok-im-ee-on) and it means to prove the genuineness of something.  The word was often used to describe the purification process of metal.  When metal is heated up to liquid form the impurities in the metal would float to the top where they are scooped out leaving the metal in its purest form.  The same idea applies to the believer as God tests us through trials and works out the impurities from our spiritual lives. 

The apostle Peter used the same word for testing (dokimion) in 1 Peter 1:6-7 where he wrote: “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These (trials) have come so that your faith, of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire (dokimion), may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

God tests our faith to prove it is genuine, to strengthen it, and to purify it.  He wants to remove all sources of sin, fear, and distrust so our relationship with Him can be as strong as possible.  So why is the focus of God’s trials directed at our faith?  Because your faith is the foundation of your relationship with God. 

The result of this testing of your faith is it will produce what the NIV Bible calls perseverance.  Other Bible translations have called it patience or endurance, but the original Greek word describes it as “cheerful endurance, standing firm, unshaken, and firmness of mind.”  A mature believer can demonstrate these qualities when trials, enter their life.  How do you feel you would handle the loss of your job right now?  What if your car would get stolen?  How would you handle life if you came home and your house had caught fire and burned to the ground?  How would you respond to such events?  Many Christians have faced these very same trials.

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Trials are sent by God to test and build our faith.  These trials develop our perseverance and bring about three things in the life of the believer:

1. They make the believer mature.  Why is it important for the believer to be mature?  Ephesians 2:10 explains it best, “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. “   God has prepared specific “good works” for every believer.  He has prepared them in advance, saving these good works... waiting for you to become mature enough to accomplish them. 
2. They make the believer complete.  The idea here is to be fully developed.  The maturing process is removing all weakness and imperfections allowing the believer to be completely equipped for service to God.  Do you feel complete?  Do you feel completely equipped for service? 
3. The believer will not lack anything.  You are probably thinking this is impossible… that you will always be lacking in something when it comes to serving God.  The real question is this: Do you believe God’s word, God’s promises?  It is clear in this passage that the maturing process will make the believer mature, complete, and not lacking anything.  The real question is will you allow God’s process to work in your life.

Note that perseverance “must finish its work” in order for these three qualities to flourish within the believer.  So, what would hinder, or prevent, perseverance from finishing its work?  I believe the key is whether we you accept trials with joy and recognize God working in your life.  Many will whine, complain, and respond negatively to trials, which in turn defeats the process of maturing.  How do you think most believers respond to trials? 

References: 
The Berean. (n.d.). The Berean: James 1:2-4. Retrieved from http://www.theberean.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Home.showBerean/BereanID/2293/James-1-2-4.htm