James 1:2-4 “(2)My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; (3) Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. (4) But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
Here, we find the very first words that James writes to the brethren. They, on face value, seem counter intuitive. Counting temptation as a cause for joy? How can this be?
James thought the idea so important he began his letter to the church with this encouragement. We can find two reasons within this text to do so, and another through deductive reasoning.
First, James presents that there is joy to be had in attaining patience. The trial of your most holy faith with solidify your resolve to wait on God no matter how stringent the temptation to cave to pressure.
Next, James goes on to expound on the purpose of our strengthened patience. It is through the endurance of temptation and trials of faith that our faith is made perfect. Each temptation or trial that is overcome is an instance where our faith is made more complete. Without the testing of our faith, we could not learn its weaknesses and thereby have our faith strengthened by the Lord. Temptation and trial make evident the stresses in our faith and patiently enduring this hardness allows God to make manifest a more perfect Christian.
Finally, the extrapolation of James’ lesson. If temptation and trials make our patience stronger, and allowing patience to have its perfect work perfects our faith, then the very fact that we are facing those obstacles means that God has given an opportunity for my betterment. James was not a masochist, he did not find joy in pain. Yet he understood that that trials are sent by God out of love. Satan may intend for our downfall with his temptations, but God (in love) can take what was meant for our harm and turn it to our betterment. Take all joy in knowing that hardness means an opportunity to make me more like Christ. It may be hard and you may be sowing tears of grief now, but take all joy in the fact that God intends for you to reap joy from the fruit our your patience.
So often Christians pray for an act of God to lead them away from trials and for a prevention of temptation. This Christians, by the Bible’s account, are lacking in their faith and are wanting (or have need) of many spiritual insights. Take all joy in knowing that God sees the storm, by also sees the opportunity for a better saint after the storm is over. Take joy in knowing that there are Christlike brethren that wish to bear your burdens with you. Take joy in knowing that sorrow may last through the night, but that joy comes in the morning.
Your fellowservant in Christ, Bro. Jordan Foster
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