“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. The book of James is for you, now and into the future, when feel surrounded by trials and temptations of many kinds. With this truth in mind, I want us to look at James 1, the word that James has is for us today, just as much as it was for believers more than 1900 years ago. What does it mean to count trials as joy? And he will provide a way out of those temptations. 1 Corinthians 10:13 reminds us that the Lord will not let us be tempted or endure trials beyond what we can bear. The Lord by his Holy Spirit will give you what you need to stand firm in faith. The person who chooses to endure and remains steadfast in faith will become spiritually mature, stronger in faith, and lack nothing. James is simply saying that as we experience and face trials in life, we can look to God for wisdom and remain steadfast in faith, in Christ the Lord. James is not saying that we should go looking for trials. Trials and testing will come your way, but you have no need to dread them rather rejoice, and understand that trials have a purpose. Some have been killed for their profession of faith in Christ.
#TRIALS AND PERSEVERANCE BIBLE VERSE TRIAL#
You, personally, may not be experiencing persecution or some trial now, but you do have brothers and sisters in Christ around the world who are. In some parts of the world, you will find the church and believers are under great persecution, testing, and trials of many types. James addressed his letter to Jewish believers and for believers everywhere.īefore you think James is only addressing issues that were common in his day, take a moment to look at the news around the world. Notice the letter is written “To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations” (James 1:1). Remaining faithful is not easy when facing strong opposition and James understood this all too well. James is instructing and encouraging the believers regarding practical issues of faith and works and their need for Godly wisdom. The letter is not written to any specific church, city, or person, it is written for believers everywhere. James is encouraging both those living in Jerusalem and believers scattered all around the known world to persevere in their faith and walk steadfast with Christ.
James was keenly aware of the believers need to endure the persecution and suffering that people were facing. James is an active participant in the Jerusalem church, and he would have personal firsthand experience regarding lessons of faith, trials, testing, and persecution that people were experiencing. James is not writing this letter as an outside observer. This letter was written to encourage the Jewish Christians who were suffering and experiencing all kinds of trials because of their faith in Christ the Lord. The author of this letter is thought to be James the Just, the half-brother of Jesus, and the leader of the church in Jerusalem. We saw last week that the book of James is thought to be the earliest New Testament writing, dating sometime before A.D. We are beginning today in the epistle of James. Encouragement and action steps for time of trials and pain.
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