Grace Notes – Gracious Joy
“Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.”
James 1:2-4 AMPC
What does this passage say to you about grace?
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Grace Perspective:
For a moment, let’s consider why James wrote this message.
Originally it was written to encourage fellow believers who left Jerusalem because of persecution. The early church was under attack; many were dragged from their homes and thrown into prison because they refused to denounce Christ as their Savior. Many fled Jerusalem to escape; however, this was always part of God’s plan, so the gospel of grace would spread.
So, why should we consider it joy when we encounter a trial? There are several reasons, but let’s focus on one. It’s a test to show us what or whom we rely on when trials come. Trials bring us the opportunity to examine our hearts to see what we truly believe. When tested, we can run to God or old sin habits.
God graciously brings times of testing to reveal the depth of our faith. Trails are God’s way of showing us where our faith is. Is our trust in Him or something else? If we trust anything besides God, He calls us to turn back to Him. As we draw to closer Him, trusting God through the pain and heartache, our faith is refined and purified. God’s grace will enable us to endure and persevere as He prepares us for an eternity with Him.
A touch of grace:
Think of the last trial you encountered. How did you respond?
How can you re-orient you mind to consider a trial joyful?
Grace Application:
I don’t know about you, but my first thoughts when life goes off the rails are rarely joyful. It usually takes a while to sink in that the current crisis is a test. Once the immediate shock begins to pass, I try to refocus my thoughts on what God wants to reveal.
Tests of faith are needed so we can see how deep our faith is rooted in Truth. Trials reveal what we treasure, often exposing hidden idols of the heart. Pain can bring to the surface the sin we cling to and allows us to surrender it to God. Faith deepens when we choose to believe God’s promises and seek Him through reading His word.
The tests of faith I’ve endured in the past helped me to see the destruction that comes from bitterness and un-forgiveness. God’s gracious tests have shown me the old sin patterns not based on Truth, but lies kept me from living in joyful thankfulness. God revealed the idols of self-reliance and self-pity that held me in a pit of despair. It is only because of the tests of faith that my confidence in Him grew and helped me to see clearly that my worth is found in Christ Jesus who died for those sins, and many more, so that I am reconciled to God. My faith is grounded in Truth. “The joy of the LORD is my strength. “(Nehemiah 8:10b)
Trials aren’t punishment, but gifts of grace to draw us closer to God. They bring the opportunity to produce deeper faith that will strengthen us to endure hardship as we lean hard on God’s Truth. Ultimately, tests of faith fit us for heaven. Let’s consider the joy of seeing our Savior’s face as we encounter various trials.
Prayer:
Gracious Father, Thank you for the tests that reveal the depth of my faith. Forgive me for not always seeing trials in this light. Help me to lean on the truth when test come, so that my faith in You grows deeper. Build in me endurance, steadfastness, and patience so that I am lacking nothing. In the precious name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, Amen.