There is definitely truth to the statement, “No pain, no gain.” Whether working out to build muscle, training in athletics or even practicing an instrument – the difficulty of the practice most often sees the greatest benefit. Could that be true of our lives spiritually as well? Absolutely. One of the ways in which God is amazingly sovereign is that he takes the pains and problems caused by living in a fallen world, and transforms them into tools that train us fight sin and grow in our faith.
We are taking a new approach to Wed @ the Wood where we walk through books of the Bible. We are going to start by taking a walk through the book of James in a series I’m calling “Faith Workouts”. Usually when thinking about the book of James – one word comes to mind – practical. And rightfully so, because James is one of the most direct and down-to-earth Bible writers. So, for the next five weeks we’re going to dive into this book and work through substantial sections that deal with how we can have some faith workouts.
If you remember, our section this week was James 1:1-12. This whole section is understood in light of two words – trials and temptations… because they have everything to do with our faith. In fact, a good measure of where you are in your faith walk is how you respond to trials and temptations. Trials and temptations are inevitable in our lives and God intends both of them to deepen our faith. Here were the truths about how we find gain through pain in our faith journey:
1. Trials show us God’s sovereignty over all.
Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of all kinds, all kinds of different kinds. Small trials, big trials, minor trials, major trials. Whether small or big, is James really serious, is the Bible really telling us that we should consider them all pure joy? How is that possible? How can the Bible be serious about this? And this is where I want us to realize that James is showing us that trials are not joyful in and of themselves, but they are joyful when they are under the authority of a sovereign God who is accomplishing His purposes through them. This is one of the most profound truths necessary for mature Christian living.
2. Trials allow us to grow in God’s likeness.
Here’s the deal. God’s goal for our lives, all of our lives, God’s goal for our lives is maturity in Him. God’s goal for our lives is growth into His likeness, knowledge of who He is. One day every single person in this room will stand before God Almighty. And the goal is to prepare you from now until then for that day. Now, the problem comes in our lives when it comes to trials because this is not our goal. Let’s be honest, most of the time when you and I go through trials, our goal is just to get through it as quick as possible, right? Our goal is to fix these circumstances, to get things switched around back to where they’re supposed to be, the way we had planned it, the way that fits best with our ideas.
3. Trials help us learn to trust in God’s wisdom.
The picture here (in vs. 5) is we have limited wisdom because of our limited knowledge, our limited perspective and our limited experience. And here this has got to be one of the most glorious, comforting, encouraging truths, promises in all the New Testament. God says, if you lack wisdom, ask me and I’ll give it generously, liberally without finding fault like to anybody who asks. This is God saying in middle of trials, draw near to me. And don’t doubt. Now, you will struggle in your faith, but don’t doubt that I am good and that I am wise, and I will give you my wisdom as you walk through this. Not that we’ll understand everything but the picture is there’s a God who is waiting to give us wisdom when we walk through trials when we ask Him.
4. Trials encourage us to rely on God’s resources.
Verses 9 through 11 are really interesting. It’s where James first introduces riches and poverty. But you almost wonder, brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position, the one who’s rich, take pride in his low position because he will pass away like a wildflower. What we know, trials in this life have a leveling effect, don’t they? So we need trials to remind us to rely on the resources that only God provides, to remind us that we can’t fix our trials with our stuff. We need the resources that come from God. And when that happens, it enables us to rejoice because in the end, our stuff will be gone. Trials teach us to rely on God’s resources.
5. Trials remind us to live for God’s reward.
Verse 12. Blessed is the man who perseveres out of trials. The picture here is at the end of this race, through trial after trial after trial after trial, there is eternal life at the end of this goal waiting for us. And so this is where we’re reminded that in our trials – this world is not our home. We are living for reward to come. And this gives us great joy in the middle of trials.
I want to encourage you when you face trials to fix your eyes on the goal who is God. To draw near to Him and ask Him, just keep asking Him over and over and over again. Draw near to Him. Rely on the resources that He provides, and keep your eyes focused on your reward. And it’s coming. It’s coming. And this is the only way that you can look at trials. You’re walking through them with pure joy.
Fighting for Faith in the Face of Trials
1. Be positive
Allow the joy of the Lord and the prospects of your future both here and in heaven to sustain you through difficult times. You’re a child of the King with an awesome eternity ahead of you.
2. Be prayerful
The enemy uses difficulties to try to sift the faith out of us. He wants us to lose heart and begin to doubt God’s love and good purposes. Only by prayerfully seeking God’s wisdom and perspective will our faith stand the test.
3. Be patient
Maturity doesn’t cook in the microwave. It’s a crock-pot dish. As much as we would like to learn our lessons in a snap and move on, God often keeps us in a place of hardship until the character change he seeks can truly take effect.
