TODAY’S NOTES
James 1:1-7
“Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various kinds of trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. Let patience have it’s perfect work that you may be complete and entire, lacking nothing. IF any of you lacks wisdom, they should ask God who gives to all generously and without reproach.”
When I consider the trials in my life, I can conclude that the work God does in me during those trials to shape me into the image of Jesus has a far greater eternal weight than the trials, and I can have joy in the work of God. I know this because of what James and Paul teach me about God.
He is active in my trials (Romans 8:28) and He is with me in them. (Romans 8:35-39)
He has a purpose for me (Romans 8:29)
His purpose is for my good. (James 1:4)
Consider - weigh out carefully, think through, not based on an inner feeling, but after a careful examination of the evidence.
Joy - “The world has never seen anyone who knew joy as Jesus did, yet he was ‘a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.’ Joy is deep and profound, affecting the whole personality.” Martin-Loyd Jones. Happiness is swayed by external circumstances, joy stays calm in the midst of them.
Encounter - Trip, stumble, be beset by - Jesus used the word to describe the man who “encountered” robbers on a path.
Trials - Events that force a response. Trouble, temptation. James says they are of all kinds, so no one feels left out.
Knowing - When you consider something, you know this….
Testing - An examination you should pass. It is proving what you know or how you will respond. You take a driver’s test when there is a reasonable expectation you will pass.
Faith- hope based on an object one can trust
Patience - a virtue, letting God work in God’s time, in God’s way.
Complete, entire, lacking nothing - maturity as a believer, functioning according to design, reflecting Christ
He writes in characters far too grand
For our short sight to understand.
We catch but broken strokes
And try to fathom all the mystery
Of withered hopes, of death, of life.
The endless war, the useless strife.
But there
With larger, clearer sight
We shall see this -
His way was right.
Attributed to John Oxenham