*PERFECTED BY TRIALS*
*TEXT:* JAMES 1:1-15.
_*🔑KEY VERSE* "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" (JAMES 1:3,4)._
"The tree that never had to fight for sun and sky and air and light, that stood out in the open plain and always got its share of rain, never became a forest King but lived and died a scrubby thing..." So wrote Douglas Malloch in his poem, Good Timber. Similarly, as observed by Mildred Witte Struven, "A clay pot sitting in the sun will always be a clay pot. It has to go through the white heat of the furnace to become porcelain."
That is the case with our faith. Our text makes it clear that the trying of our faith produces patience which in turn works out our perfection. Our attitude therefore when we "fall into divers temptations" is to "count it all joy." Temptation, as used here, implies trials, persecution and, in some cases, affliction. When a Christian encounters such painful experiences, it does not necessarily imply God's displeasure with him. Often, it is simply a trial of faith which at the end produces positive outcome.
There is a tendency for an inexperienced believer to misunderstand such situations and succumb to despair. At such times, it takes a good dose of godly wisdom to place things in proper perspective and make right choices in line with God's will.
Is your faith in the furnace of trial? Once you are confident that you have a good relationship with God, do not despair. Be encouraged that the experience will work out patience and perfection. Even if this is not your present experience, prepare your mind for it. It is part of our spiritual growth process.
*✍THOUGHT FOR THE DAY* Trial is the Christian's promotional examination.
*COVER TO COVER* 2 SAMUEL 11-12.
*MEDITATION*
Don't count it a strange experience please
*1. The reality* v2.
You will at one time or the other experience divers (not just one) situations that will tend to shake your faith John 16:33.
*2. The righteousness* v2,12.
This is different from temptations to sin. Believers are not to fall into temptations but we will fall into trials. We are not to endure temptations but to resist them; we are to endure trials. No sinner will experience a trial of faith because they don't have saving faith.
*3. The rationale* v3.
Trials of faith are permitted by God to try, test, toughen and make your faith triumphant in troublous times.
*4. The roughness* v8.
It is a rough experience that will expose your hypocrisy and unfaithfulness, if you don't have genuine faith, thereby propelling you to seek for the real experience.
*5. The radiance* v2.
Radiate the joy of the Lord without despondency because trials show that God is interested in pulling you out of the register of hypocrites and ordinary Christians.
*6. The rightness*
Every believer will experience it because there is no success without scrutiny, triumph without test, divine promotion without definite purification.
*7. The result*
Perfection of grace and character needed to fully enjoy and be used of God to the fullest.
*8. The rule* v4.
You must endure to the end if you want to enjoy the full blessings and benefits.
*9. The resource* vv5-7.
Always ask for wisdom and grace to sail through with joy.
*10. The reward* v12.
Eternal reward, including the crown of life, will be given to the triumphant.
*Thank you God* because trial of faith will not crush me and it is for my good🙏
*Holy Spirit*, ever give me joy of the Lord to radiate His glory whenever I am tried🙏
*I hereby ask* for grace and strength to always overcome all my trials and endure to the end🙏
*Lord*, I ask for the joy of the Lord, which the world cannot take away, for those passing through trials of faith in the Church🙏
*HYMN* Master the tempest is raging. Peace be still