James 1: Joy in Suffering
Hello again and welcome back to Grace Outpost! Today I wanted to look at James 1:1-18. I would like to take a closer look at what
James shares with us about suffering and hard times. James letter is addressed to the Jews in
Diaspora, or dispersion. Though not
identified as anything more than James, it is likely that the author was James,
one of Jesus’ half-brothers. He became
the leader of the Jerusalem church and he is writing to Jewish Christians who
had been displaced likely by first the persecution under Saul (Acts 7-8) and
under Herod (Acts 12). We do not know
for sure, but there is little doubt that the group he wrote to was composed of
the poor and they were oppressed.
So what is our natural response to adversity? When bad things happen what is our natural
response? The typical response for most
people is that we complain, whine and all around allow ourselves
to be driven to misery in the midst of adversity. James in verse 2 starts by telling these
suffering believers to count it all joy when you face suffering. What a counter-intuitive response, but it
is the response of the mature Christian.
James tells us that we should understand that the tough times is what
produces the steadfastness in faith, in other words trials and crisis make us
grow spiritually if we have the proper understanding. Paul echoes this idea in Romans 5:3-5, suffering
produces endurance and that endurance over time is known as character and that
longevity of endurance gives us hope in all situations. This doesn’t mean we can’t grieve in times of
loss, but rather our response should not be worry. Jesus himself spoke about worry in Matthew
6:25-34.
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus hits the core of what our response needs to
be in hard times, or rather in all times.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his
righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33
ESV) In speaking of the Holy Spirit
guiding us Paul’s thought in Romans 8:28 seems to fit along this same line of
thinking that James presents. James goes
on in verse 12 to say that those who remain steadfast will receive the crown of
life. So James, Paul, and Jesus himself
are telling us that a mature Christian will understand that though we may
suffer we can rest in knowing that our faith in the saving grace of Jesus will
see us through all things, even to death.
Our hope is in Jesus and Jesus alone.
Paul really sums this up most eloquently in Philippians 4:11-13.
“ 11 Not that
I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am
to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to
abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing
plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things
through him who strengthens me.”
(Philippians 4:11-13)
Everything we do must be rooted in the
reality of the cross. Because Jesus came
to die on the cross in my place, for my sins and because of the promise of new
life through the resurrection with him we have hope in all things. This truth should pierce all avenues of our
lives: our work, our families, our wants, our friendships, our good times and
bad times. All things should be viewed
through the lens of the reality that Christ is our hope! I do not say this as one who has it all
together, but as one who has found the truth and invite you to the journey of
letting Christ reign as King in your life.
Paul did not consider himself perfected in his faith and that he would
be pursuing a deeper and life changing faith until the day he died (Philippians
3:12-13).
So friends, may we keep truth before
us that in times of trials if we look upward first and remember that our hope
and comfort is in Christ, we can then have joy.
As Paul puts it we can be content when we are brought low and when we
abound. The secret to it is Jesus and it
isn’t really much of a secret!
“Father
God, I thank you for each and every person who reads this message. I pray that those who read this and are going
through hard times can find comfort in the words of James, Paul, and
Jesus. Lord help us to remain faithful
in our times of need, as well as our times of abundance. Father I know that you are in control of my
fate and I submit myself to your guidance.
May your blessings be upon everyone who has read this message. Amen”