I am part of a men's bible study that meets bi-weekly. Attendees are usually my boys, my son-in-law, and two or three other fellows from our church. We recently concluded a good study on prayer, based on R. C. Sproul's booklet, "Does Prayer Change Things?". It was a great study, finished over the course of about 6 weeks. Preparing to move to our next study, we agreed to do a real Bible study, focusing on a book of the Bible. Asking the group what they wanted to study, there weren't any ready and quick answers. Mark finally offered, "How about the Book of James?"
This was a great idea, or so I thought. I've always liked James. Aside from the fact that I share a name with the Lord's younger brother, it is a no-nonsense epistle, full of meat, yet not so deep and theologically miry as to be difficult. It speaks of Christian discipline and true faith in terms that are tangible and applicable for most levels of Christian maturity. So we embarked on the Book of James.
Bad idea.
If you are familiar with James, you know the first chapter, even the first verses, punch you right in the nose.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:2-8, NKJV)
Verse 2 uses the word "when" intentionally. It is not an "if". It's a "when", so it's not a matter of "if" but "when". Trials are a given in the life of the believer, and they have a very real and good purpose, often bearing fruit we cannot see. They are there by God's design and purpose to bring about the work of testing our faith.
I'm not a stranger to having my faith tested. I'm also not ignorant to the higher purpose in all of it. Yet when I find myself in the crucible, I still find it hard to be joyful. I don't fall into the Pit of Despair, but I'm also not walking around with a smile on my face. Where I am is somewhere in between.
God's purpose is evident. I see in my life what my namesake referred to here in Chapter 1. My faith is being tested in order that God might see me grow in patience. He wants me to perfect and complete, and a believer is neither perfect nor complete if they don't possess abiding joy, an abiding joy present in all circumstances. It's there when times are hard and when they are good. It's most noticeable in the former, because everyone can either be joyful or appear joyful when times are good.
So here at the beginning of our study of James is a goal of mine--character traits that I seek to make my own. Patience. Perseverance. In the good times. In the bad times. Knowing the truth and not making it mine is double minded. Knowing the truth and making it mine...well, that seems to be God's plan from the get-go.
