LESSON #1

Turning Trials Into Triumphs

James 1:1-12

 The Book of James is the first in a group of New Testament books known as the "General Epistles." They are designated as "General" in the sense that they are not addressed to any particular individual or church.

The Author - In ancient times, letters were signed at the beginning rather than our way of signing a letter at the end. Thus, if you received a letter, you knew immediately who it was from. We know immediately from reading this letter that is came from "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ." However, the hard part is figuring out exactly which James this is. James was a very popular Jewish name during the days of the New Testament. It is a form of the Old Testament name "Jacob". Two of the twelve disciples were named James - James the son of Zebedee (the brother of John) and James the son of Alphaeus or James, the less (the brother of Judas Thaddeaus). However, the man most likely to have written this epistle is James the brother of our Lord (Joseph and Mary had children - Matthew 13:55-56, Mark 6:3. There was a period of time when they refused to believe in Jesus - John 7:1-5, Mark 3:31:35. Apparently the resurrection changed their minds about Jesus - I Corinthians 15:7; Acts 1:14. James became a leader in the church at Jerusalem - Acts 15:13ff; Galatians 2:9. Bible scholars nearly all agree that this James is the author of this epistle.

The Audience - Verse 1 tells us that this letter was addressed "to the twelve tribes scattered abroad." These are Jews (twelve tribes) and so they are hated by most Gentiles. But they are also Christians (scattered abroad, see Acts 8:1,4) which means that they were hated by most Jews.

 Being a Jew and a Christian himself, James would understand some of the trials that Jewish Christians would face. He is a real "brother" (fellow Jew and fellow-Christian) to those to whom he writes. He uses the word "brethren" or "my brethren" or "my beloved brethren" fifteen times in these 5 chapters. He opens the letter with very little greeting and goes straight to his first theme - How To Turn The Trials (problems; difficulties) of the Christian Life Into Triumphs (victories). In verses 2-12, James tells us four things that we need to handle the trials of life.

A Joyful Attitude, 1:2.

"Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations"

 We should expect trials. James did not say "if" you have trials but "when". Jesus said, "In the world ye shall have tribulation" (John 16:33). Paul and Barnabas taught their converts that (Acts 14:22) "we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." Trials and tribulations are just part of life. They do not diminish when we get saved. In fact, sometimes they intensify, see I Peter 4:12. We suffer some things because we are human but other things because we are Christians. We should not be surprised with trials. Verse 2 uses the phrase "divers temptations." The word "divers" means "multi-colored or various kinds of". The word translated "temptations" does not mean enticements to sin (that idea comes in 1:13-18) but rather "put to the test." Testings come from God for the purpose of proving us and maturing us. Enticement to sin comes from Satan for the purpose of tripping us up. Here, James is referring to the kind that comes from God. In the next verse, he uses the phrase "the trying of your faith" as a synonym for "divers temptations."

We should evaluate trials. The word "count" means to evaluate. We evaluate on the basis of our values. Some things are much more valuable to you than they would be to me (sentimental photos, etc.) James is saying that we should evaluate trials differently than the world. We should value the character that comes from trials above the comfort that trials rob us of. We should value spiritual things above material things. We should value eternal rewards above earthly riches. How do you evaluate the trials that you face? We should enjoy trials. That may sound impossible and like a contradiction of terms but we are commanded to "count it all joy when we fall into divers temptations." This verse is directed at our attitude toward trials. Often one's outlook determines the outcome so we are instructed to have a joyful attitude.

An Understanding Mind, 1:3

"knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience"

 What does verse 3 tell us that we need to know? That trials are from the Master and for our maturity. 1 Peter 1:7 "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." 2 Corinthians 4:17 "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." These verses remind us that God is at work on us and in us through the circumstances and trials of life. His goal is to make us more mature Christians. The mark of a mature person is usually "patience". Verse 3 tells us that problems produce patience. You cannot get patience from reading a book or listening to a sermon. Patience comes from "the trying of your faith." Have you come to an understanding of the purpose of trials?

A Surrendered Will, 1:4

"But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

The key word here is "let". We are commanded to allow or permit God's plan to produce patience, to have its complete effect, so that we will be perfect (the word does not mean "sinless" but "mature"), entire (complete), lacking nothing. To "let" then means to surrender our will to His will. We have a choice. We can either resist God's plan and become bitter about the trials of life or we can cooperate with God's plan and become better as a result of the trials of life. Bitter or better, that's the choice. If we choose to resist, we will be chastened by the Lord; if we cooperate, we will be matured. Have you surrendered your will to His will?

A Believing Heart, 1:5-11.

"let him ask in faith"

The commandment in these verses is to "ask of God" (v.5). What should we ask God for? Not for strength to simply endure the trial. Not for deliverance just to get out of the trouble. We are told to ask for "wisdom" so that we don't miss the lesson about life that God is trying to teach us. If we pray for the wrong thing we may miss the opportunity for maturity that God is giving us. We may fail the test! And when you fail a test, you have to take it over until you pass it! Perhaps the reason why some of us keep facing the same tests is because we have not passed one yet! How are we to ask God for wisdom? We are to ask in faith (vss. 6-8). James compares those who lack faith to the wavering waves of the sea. Without faith we are "doubleminded" and thus, "unstable in all our ways." Faith, then, adds stability to our lives. According to verses 9-11, we are also to ask in humility. There are a number of references in James to the rich and poor, leading us to conclude that there were some apparent problems between the wealthy and the needy in the early days of Christianity. God's trials have a way of leveling us all. It is not your material resources that will take you through trials but your spiritual resources, like faith and humility, that carry you through.

 Verse 12 states the conclusion of this theme. 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. If we start a trial with a joyful attitude, an understanding mind, a surrendered will and a believing heart, the Lord has promised we will finish the trial with blessedness (the word means happiness) and reward. We will trade the cross of trial for the crown of triumph. And by enduring the trial, we will show that we "love him."

 The basic principle is that God sends trials to mature us. However, if we do not respond to those trials as we should, we will become bitter instead of better, we will be victims instead of victors. We must learn to turn our trials into triumphs by following the four steps that James gives us. Do you have a joyful attitude amidst trials? Do you see God's purpose in them and have an understanding mind? Do you have a surrendered will? Are you resisting or cooperating with the trial? Have you asked God for wisdom with a believing and humble heart so that you won't miss the lesson that the Lord is trying to teach you?