Text: James 1:5-12
UNDERSTANDING TRIALS
James 1:2-4 - 2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
We may find ourselves wondering what God is doing when we are experiencing trials. Job did not have a clue about what God was doing, and you may likewise not have a clue about what is happening in your life.
James 1:5 - 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Verse 5 expresses a timeless truth, something which is true at all times under all circumstances. In the context, however, it concerns the availability of wisdom for those who are enduring trials.
Let him ask of God is an imperative and not a mere suggestion. It means, He must ask of God.
God gives to all liberally (i.e. generously or without reserve)
God does not upbraid (i.e. reproach, revile, or heap insults upon) someone who asks for wisdom
James 1:6-8 - 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Let him ask in faith is an imperative and not a mere suggestion. It means, He must ask in faith.
Nothing wavering suggests being at odds with himself (i.e. doubting) in no respect (i.e. not at all or in no way).
The one who doubts -
is like wind-blown surf.
will receive nothing from the Lord
is double minded and unstable in all his ways
James 1:9-11 - 9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: 10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. 11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
Let the brother of low degree rejoice is a commandment and not a mere suggestion. It means, The brother of low degree must rejoice. - 1:9
The brother of low degree is the poor one or the lowly one in contrast to the rich. - 1:9
The people who have a low social standing have special trials of their own that rich people do not have.
He is to rejoice in that he is exalted, i.e. in his high position as a Christian. He has been saved from his sins and is on his way to heaven, something many rich people cannot legitimately claim. - 1:9
The rich must likewise rejoice - 1:10a
In that he is made low = in his humiliation - 1:10a
The rich have trials of their own to endure. Because of their wealthy status, they will experience difficulties that poor people will never experience. According to verse 10, they should rejoice because they have been humbled in order that they might recognize their sin and come to Christ for their salvation, which they finally realize they cannot buy.
In spite of his wealth, in order to be saved, he had to recognize that he was a sinner in need of salvation. It had to be a very humbling experience for him. - 1:10a
His riches will not last forever, and neither will he - 1:10b-11
James 1:12 - 12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
This is not speaking about some group of spiritually elite believers. It is speaking of all believers.
Every person who endures temptation (trials, testings) is blessed; and every believers endures trials.
Eventually every believer will receive the crown of life, i.e. the crown which is life = eternal life
Every believer genuinely loves the Lord with all his heart in his new sinless nature.
This sermon is the 2nd part of the series, Study of James. Other sermons in this series are: