Is Your Faith Being Tested?

James 1:2 – 12

What a remarkable passage.  To many people this passage can very easily be just another passage of Scripture in the Bible easily over-looked.  But to those who have faced trials (of many kinds), and especially to those who are currently facing such trials, this passage is a rich source of encouragement in our “race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12).

I was one of those many people, who knew this passage well, and could quote it to those who needed to hear it.  And by God’s grace, it could well have encouraged them in their time of trial.  But it seldom jumped out at me personally.  I often battled to relate it to my life, and my circumstances.  You see, this passage is applicable to circumstances.

Some passages in Scripture describe God’s character, and delve into the riches of the Godhead, revealing His nature, mystery and Glory.  But other passages are written to and for people’s circumstances.  Giving instruction and direction to those in need of it at a certain season in their lives.

What James writes in this passage is one such example.  It is written to those who need it.  If you have never experienced such trial, then it wouldn’t necessarily apply to you…  yet.  But oh, your time shall come.  God wants to transform each and every one of His people into the image of His Son

(2 Corinthians 3:18), reflecting something of His Glory here on earth.

One of the principal ways He does that is through trial and testing.  So that we would be a people strong in character, standing firm under all kinds of testing and accusation.

I have reached such a season in my life where this passage of Scripture is so pertinent.  I am a young man.  I have the privilege of serving my local church full-time in the capacity and office of an elder.  I also have the immense privilege of being married to one of the most beautiful and gifted women in the world for almost 3 years now.  But such responsibility (of being both an elder and a husband) requires broad shoulders.  It most certainly isn’t for the faint hearted.

It will bring out the best in you.  But it will also bring out the worst in you.  Fortunately, God loves His children so much that He allows for the imperfection in our character to be revealed early, so we can deal with them before it’s too late.  The key, is allowing Him to teach us.

I am a care-free guy who doesn’t like boundaries and structure all that much.  Deadlines and time-restrictions have always been my enemy.  I cruise from one requirement to another.  Meeting obligations as I go along, and getting distracted along the way.  I lose control of what time I have left in each day.  This comes down to a lack of diligence, self-control, and self-discipline.

For many years I have cried out to God for an increase in these qualities, and a decrease in the opposite:  Mainly distraction and carelessness.

I have tried, but seldom won.  It has been a constant battle in my life.  But God, in His infinite wisdom and grace, knows what He is doing.

If I am to continue along the path He has called me.  If I am to “run the race He has marked out for me”, I am going to need to change.  I will need to make adjustments.  This race is an ongoing process of transformation.

God allowed this battle to continue within me until it affected me so personally that the only thing left to do is change.  I am at that very point right now.  The very reason I write this is because I am undergoing change in my heart.  I have to, or else the result of not changing and making these adjustments could be absolutely catastrophic.

I realized for the first time in my marriage that the “work of the Lord” and ministry requirements had taken preference over my ministry to my wife.  Scripture makes it clear that as a husband, I am required to love my wife before meeting the constant requirements of full-time service in the Lord.  After all, Jesus is the one building His Church, not me.

Scripturally, I believe our priorities should be ordered in the following manner:

1.                  Devotion to God.

2.                  Loving our spouse.

3.                  Loving our children.

4.                  Our ministry.

Paul makes it quite clear in 1 Timothy 3:5 that “if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?”

I don’t have children yet.  Thank God He has shown me the effects of my lack of character now, before the added responsibility of children.

Enter the passage of Scripture I base this writing on.  James 1:2-12.  The process of dealing with the deficiency in my character is by no means an easy task.  And at the moment seems like a giant mountain standing before me.  But I am to count such a task as a joy.  (Verse 2)  Because when I learn, I will be able to reveal more of God’s character here on earth.  And be even more effective in my devotion and service to Him.

The task I undertake will test my faith.  (Verse 3)  It will reveal the state of my faith.  It will reveal whether I am relying on God, or if I am relying on my own strength to overcome challenges.  In my own strength, this challenge is an undefeatable Goliath.  When my faith and reliance is in God, that Goliath has a glaring forehead just waiting to be struck by the penetrating power of God.

This testing of my faith is developing something deep within that will mature me, and bring me closer to that man of character God is creating me to be.  (Verse 4)  All I need to do to be victorious in this battle is to rely on Him.  Rely on the wisdom that He so freely gives (Verse 5 -6), so that I can conquer the giant I face skillfully, without wasting any unnecessary time and energy.

The road I face will be no easy task.  It is a trial I shall be under until I have overcome these weaknesses.  Like being in the gym, holding up a bar of weights, I am under this trial (Verse 12) to strengthen my weak muscles.  Once these muscles of diligence and self-discipline are strengthened, and the test has passed (Verse 12), I can walk in the blessing of being even “stronger”.  “I can run this race marked out for me” with a little less huffing and puffing.  And be an even greater blessing to my wife, my (future) children, and the people I serve.

I count this process a true joy.  Until the next muscle needs to be strengthened…

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What is it that you need adjust?  Because it could very well be the trial you need to face to be transformed even further into the image of Christ.

Don't forget to leave your comments.  Until next time folks...