My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire wanting nothing. (James1:2-4)
TO MY BROTHERS IN CHRIST
These verses, and the whole of the epistle for that matter, are addressed to the brethren. It is evident, as we have already seen, that we are to understand this to be Christian brethren. It is vital that we realize this from the beginning. Unless we do, there will be a constant tendency to dull the edges of various instructions and admonitions found within this writing. It is not written to unbelievers, neither can we expect unbelievers to live by these words. They could not even if they wished, for only a true Christian can live the Christian life. Also the unbeliever could never fully appreciate the importance and authority involved in the instructions.
The neighbor’s children feel no obligation to follow and obey when I instruct my children. They feel a sort of immunity. As one so boldly said, “I don’t have to mind you, you’re not my daddy.” And they’re right. It is wrong for us to attempt to soften (as I believe has at times been done) what we believe to be the Holy Word of our Heavenly Father in order to adapt it to a wider range of people than it is meant for. The scripture states that “He dealeth with us as with sons.” (Heb. 12:5-8) It is not ours to attempt to apply His dealing with us to those who are not His. What God speaks to His children is meant for His children alone. It is nothing but sheer hypocrisy for anyone who is not truly His to act as if he were. The fundamental concepts which God has established will never move. “Having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart iniquity.” (2Tim. 2:19)
GOD DEALETH WITH US AS SONS
We would do well to keep this in mind concerning every epistle in the New Testament. Without exception they are written to those who are truly God’s children. They are, “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect (or complete), thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2Tim. 3:16-17)
THOSE MANY COLORED TRIALS
The text before us then is teaching a particular group of people the proper and healthy attitude to hold toward the manifold (or many colored) trials of life. What is the proper attitude? Consider it all joy to be passing through these experiences. Deem it a complete privilege, the Holy Spirit is saying.
But note this! It is not the trial itself but the purpose of the trial that arouses our joy. The purpose is to put faith to the test. To prove it — to see of what sort it is. Should we be fearful of this? Should we be of those who draw back? God forbid! This is our opportunity! This is where Christians ought to shine! It is God whom we love most and first. It is God whom we glorify. It is God to whom we would be loyal. Now through the test we will prove it.
The accuser of the brethren and all his followers would accuse us of harboring ulterior motives. “Does Job fear God for Naught?” (Job 1:9) But we can say, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” (Job 13:15) Peter came to realize through his experience that the trial of our faith is much more precious than of gold. (1Pet. 1:7)
THEY COME BY SURPRISE
The words “fall into” indicate that these times of trial and testing are unplanned. They often come as a surprise. They change our plans and they interrupt our schedules. We suddenly find ourselves face to face with unwanted and uninvited situations, difficulties, or conflicts. But it is important that we be prepared ahead of time to “count it all joy” for every opportunity afforded us to prove that our faith in God is not affected by the fluctuating experiences of life.
FAITH ON TRIAL DEVELOPS ENDURANCE
Now we are brought still another step. The proving of our faith works patience (or endurance). There is nothing more assuring or satisfying than that which has been proved to be reliable. Testing, regardless of what it might be that is being tested, has always proved to be more valuable than gold. Manufacturers and developers spend great amounts of money to test their product and the test is counted more valuable than the cost. Every test it passes proves the reliability and strength of the product and every test it fails leads to remedial measures needed to improve it. That, in turn, leads to that steadfastness of reliability.
So it is with us, in the test we are able to see ourselves as we really are. Our Lord already knows, but we must find out. Then, with humility and obedience, we seek those remedial measures necessary to become what he wants us to be.
AND ENDURANCE IS CONDUCTIVE TO HEALTHY GROWTH
Next the Holy Spirit encourages us to “let patience (or endurance) have her perfect work.” We must not fight what God is endeavoring to do in our life. We must not resist the means by which we may gain the confidence and steadiness that will enable us to live the consistent Christian life. We must not resist the means by which we can live in this world of stress without being under stress, and live in a world of confusion without being confused. When things around us seem shaky we can remain unshaken. Why? Because! “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” (1John 5:4) And this faith has been proven and found sufficient. Proving has brought about endurance and endurance shall have her perfect work that we may be “perfect and entire”, or in other words, that we may be complete (or mature), perfectly sound and healthy, without lacking anything.