Paul's Passing Thoughts

Manuscript for Sunday 06/21/2009: Germantown Baptist Chapel

 

2] Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,

3] knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

4] And let endurance have {its} perfect result, so that you may be perfect and

complete, lacking in nothing.

5] But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and

without reproach and it will be given to him.

6] But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the

surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.

7] For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,

8] {being} a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

 

There is an old saying that says there are only two things certain in life, death and taxes. Sadly, for those without Christ, this is probably a true statement. When you are not a follower of Jesus Christ, you do live in a world of uncertainty, no doubt about it. But also notice, what few things that are certain in the life of an unbeliever are no cause for joy, only dread. This proverb mentions death and taxes, Job 5:7 says a man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward.

 

Not so with those who have a relationship with God and his Son. There are many many things that are certain for us. For the most part, a right thinking Christian lives in a world of certainty for even in uncertainty he can be sure what God has to say about it. It is also worthy to note that uncertainty is often a cause for joy in the Christian. We discussed last Sunday how even death is not a certainty for Christians in this age.

 

But we come this morning to what James says is another certainty in the life of a believer, trials. James says “when” not “if.” We know that as believers trials are coming. If for no other reason, we know this because it is one of the primary ways God molds us into the likeness of his Son. John 15:1,2 says:

 

1] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.

2] He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does

bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

 

Another good indication that trials will come is 2Timothy 3:12,

 

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

 

Trails are coming because he who has begun a good work in us will complete it. But James is going to instruct us as to what we are to do when trials come. The first thing we are to do is to stop and do the first thing first, “Consider.” The idea in the English is a good one according to the Greek commentaries. It means to count or evaluate. Ecclesiastes 7:14 says:

 

When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future.

 

James says to first consider the situation joyful. This would not be a natural response, nor does God expect us to break out in praise upon news of some tragedy. But when the initial shock wears off and the thinking process begins, we are to consider. What in the world could we consider or “count” that could produce joy in the midst of a trial?

Ecclesiastes 7:14, which we just read gives us a clue. God does not create any of the evil that is part of our trial, but he has preordained or predetermined that we will go through that trial. This is not so difficult to understand. God did not create any of the evil that hung Jesus on the cross, but he certainly preordained it according to his plan of salvation. Acts 2:23 says:

 

This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.

 

Here is the first thing you need to know and consider in any trial, God is in control. The trial is part of God’s purpose in your life. He was not taken by surprise in regard to your circumstance. God is up to something. Esther lost both of her parents. Thats pretty tragic. But read the whole book of Esther and see how God had a plan for Esther’s life, how all of the circumstances of her life played a part in God’s plan for her and others. As you read, remember this, you are no different. Your life reads the same way

but with different circumstances that all fit together for God’s purpose and sometimes I wonder if we can even mess it up. I doubt it. Yes, Oh yes, we will fail, but will God not use those failures to still establish his goal for our life? YES HE WILL!

 

Know this in any trial: God is there with you and his plan is right on schedule. This is why Job said to his wife:

 

“ You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” [Job 2:10]

 

Trials are the hand of God on your life. We must not forget that in the midst of any trial. But Peter further explains why we must think biblically about trials we find ourselves in and why we can have joy in the midst:

 

1Peter 1:3-9

 

3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His

great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the

resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

 

4] to {obtain} an inheritance {which is} imperishable and undefiled and will not fade

away, reserved in heaven for you,

 

5] who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be

revealed in the last time.

 

6] In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have

been distressed by various trials,

 

7] so that the proof of your faith, {being} more precious than gold which is perishable,

even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at

the revelation of Jesus Christ;

 

8] and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him

now; you believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of

glory,

 

9] obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

 

Peter’s focus is the glorious salvation we will attain. This promise is eternal while trials are temporary, but the trials we endure increase our faith and assurance. Trials have a purpose, They contribute to our spiritual strength, confidence and service to others as we wait for his appearing.

 

Note that James mentions that our trials are “various.” This is absolutely critical. The King James says “diverse”, the Amplified says “any sort”, the NIV says “many kinds.” As Christians, what kind of trials can we expect? Anything. This is so critical. The kinds of tragedies and trouble that can befall Christians is sometimes shocking and leaves many bewildered and puzzled. Remember Job, what trial was he spared?, not many. It’s important, as much as possible, that Christians are not perplexed at the trial that they find themselves in. This is not a helpful state to be in and does not facilitate the healing process. Peter put it this way in 1Peter1:12,13;

 

12] Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as

though some strange thing happened unto you:

 

13] But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his

glory is revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

 

As Christians, we view trials through the big picture. Our life doesn’t look exactly like Job’s or Esthers, but it is the same principle. God is moving his plan forward and using trials to transform us.

 

James starts with the word “consider” in verse 2 and begins with “knowing” in verse 3. We know that the “testing of our faith”, the first step of any trial, leads to more endurance. This endurance comes from faith it’s self. The idea is like an athlete who conditions himself to gain strength for greater challenges. As his strength increases, he also gains confidence. The whole process leads to spiritual maturity in several different areas of life or as James puts it, “so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

 

This study has been a challenge to me in my own life. Do I value my own salvation and it’s sanctification process to the point where I will look at trials in a different way? Will my focus be the trouble and difficulty, or the spiritual benefits for myself and others? When you are strengthened by a trial, it is not only you who benefits, but the church body you belong to stands to benefit as well.

 

Now we come to another critical truth in this passage, absolutely critical. We must “LET “ endurance have it’s perfect work, verse 4. Let the endurance that is sustaining you in the trial by faith, have it’s perfect work. In other words, we must endure the trial God’s way in order for the process to have it’s desired effect intended by God. Listen to what Paul says in 1Corinthians 10:13;

 

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

 

 

Though there will be an escape, or a limit to the trial as James said, the way out is still going to require endurance. The testing of our faith that exercises our endurance is the whole purpose of the trial. Here is one of the critical things we must do in a trail, we must seek God’s way of escape, ie, scriptural wisdom and not the worlds way or the way of the flesh.

 

One example. I know of a Christian man some years ago who was falsely accused of a heinous crime. Though I do not remember the details exactly, it went something like this: In a plea offer by the prosecution, he was offered a few years probation verses a possible 25 year sentence for a guilty plea. I never heard what the results were, but the man would not take the shortcut out of the trial due to the fact that he would have lied to accept the plea. He rightly concluded that a lie is not God’s open door to escape in any trial.

 

So, in any trial, we must manoeuver through that trial according to God’s wisdom so the endurance can have it’s perfect work.

 

Yet another critical truth about trials, perhaps the most important one, verse 5 says: “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach and it will be given to him.”

 

In every trial, even among the unbelievers, this one thing must be present, GOD’S WISDOM. In the healing community of the church, it should be a given that God’s word will be the primary authority in that situation. But when you are privy to a trial among unbelievers, that is your call to bring God’s message to that situation. But you say “I don’t know how.” Will, as my grandma used to say, “then get a learnin.”  If it’s not your gift, call on the leaders of the church.

 

Let me ask you a question, how often did Christ present the Fathers wisdom and the gospel in the midst of life circumstances? Life events always call for God’s wisdom and the opportunity for real hope. People flocked to Jesus because they heard he could heal. But the woman at the well did not get the whole town and bring them back to Jesus because he healed her, she went and told them because she perceived he taught God’s truth.

 

Likewise, in the age we live in, some churches are large because they feed peoples idols. Since Chuck ask in a message 2 weeks ago what our vision for this church is, let me share mine. My vision for this church is that the word will get out that this is a church that offers real answers and real hope for every life and every problem from the word of God.

 

Yes, yes. Many of life’s problems will require doctors, medicine, the police, the fire department, the army ect. ect. But the complete solution is never never complete without the implementation of God’s wisdom in every situation. Never.

 

Keep this in mind. The world knows this. The world knows that people need more than physical and emotional healing. Why do think there are so many philosophers in the world? By the way, just as an aside, do you know what group of professionals has the highest rate of suicide? Psychologist!

 

How bad is the situation in our culture? Let me give you a clue. People tune in to Oprah Winfrey to try to find solutions to their problems. Listen, in every trial, some kind of wisdom is going to be brought to bear. It will either be the worlds wisdom or God’s wisdom.

 

Let me give you a life example of this. My grandmother lived in an area heavily dominated by a works oriented denomination. This group was heavily ingrained in the geographical culture. For a lot of people, especially those without means, this was the only option for church. However, the pastor of the church she attended did not necessarily buy into much of the official doctrine of this denomination. When he took the pastorate there, another couple followed them and the husband started teaching the adult Sunday school.

 

The first trial under their watch was when my grandfather developed terminal cancer. He was not a Christian. Regardless of my grandmothers propagation of works salvation in the midst of the situation, The pastor was able to lead my grandfather to the Lord in a very sound way.

 

After my grandfathers death, the area was hit by heavy flooding. The Sunday school teacher and his wife used the situation to become involved in my grandmothers life. As they shoveled out her basement and listened to her speak, they detected many comments that did not line up with the word of God in regard to truth and attitude and confronted her accordingly. I have good reason to believe these many conversations led my grandmother to a true saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

 

Trials always have a purpose, and it is the duty of Christians everywhere to make sure God’s purpose in every trial is maximized. This cannot be done without God’s wisdom.

 

When James tells you to pray for wisdom in the midst of trials, that is, if you do not already know what that wisdom is in your particular trial, this is not a call to pray and wait for some kind of premonition. It is a call to pray for the right understanding from God’s word. This is to be safely assumed from numerous other scriptures.

 

In many situations, prayer, encouragement and servitude will all be administered. But in most cases, if not all, the treatment is not complete without God’s wisdom and instruction. In verses 6-8, James says the one who prays with a double mind is not likely to receive what he needs from God to endure.

 

What does “double minded” mean? Simply put: It is a person who is unsure as to whether the bible has the solution, or Oprah Winfrey. James says those who doubt the total sufficiency of God’s word for life and Godliness are “unstable in all their ways” or in every area of life. Only God’s truth leads to stability.

 

So in conclusion, James has outlined 4 critical mindsets when you find yourself in a trial.

 

First, consider what scripture has to say about your situation, rather than the only other alternative which is to be dragged away by emotional and fearful thinking. Once dragged away from Godly consideration, you will be enticed to sin. Selfish desire will always rear it’s ugly head in trials, not wanting to accept the trial God has sovereignly allowed into your life. These thoughts will invariably arise, but you must answer them with God’s word and not allow them to control you. This is what James is talking about in verse 14 and 15. Also, consider that God is right in the midst of this trial with you, with the desire to execute his purposes for your life and mold you into the likeness of his Son.

 

Secondly, do not be perplexed by the severity or the kind of trial you are in. Christ clearly stated that God causes it to rain and the sun to shine on the just as well as the unjust.

 

Thirdly, you must be guided through the trial by God’s wisdom alone.

 

Fourthly, you must reject any wisdom that will lead to additional temptation, this is the way of the “double minded” man.