Trials

James 1: 1-8

The word trials or tests mean having to endure, to mature perfectly.

*Endurance is the act of power or withstanding hardship, such as stress.

*Stress means importance, significance or emphasis places upon something.

*Strain means to pull, draw or stretch tightly.

*Mature means to grow into perfection.

*Withstand means to oppose with force, to resist successfully.

James teaches on the matter of integrity and strength of his faith.  Believe and progress to a mature, stable faith attitude towards potential stumbling blocks.

*Stumbling = to trip and almost fall.

*Blocks = to support, strengthen or remain in place by means of a block or blocks.

Verse 2 – he issues a command: Count it all Joy.  The command is suggesting the need to take up a joyful attitude.  All modifying joy means the Joy is to be unmixed with other emotions.

*Mixed means blended together in one unit – count it only joy or nothing but joy.

What is remarkable about this command is that it applies to a situation in which a joyful reaction would be most unnatural, such as when you meet various trials or difficulties common to all people as well as the specific adversities that Christians must face as a result of their faith.  IE: Illness – 5:14, Financial reverses 1:9, Social and economic persecution 2:6.

Verse 3 – believers should react with joy when faced with various trials.  These trials are a means of testing through which God works to perfect faith. I Peter 1:7- saints as they face adversity, temptation and persecution.  2 Thes. 1:4, Rev. 13:10 – fortitude, staying power and strong active challenging response.  The believer is asked to respond to the trial with joy.  He knows that they are working to produce a deeper, stronger faith – Romans 5:3-4.

Ver. 6 – Matthew 21:21-22.  The key terms: faith and doubting.

*Faith means more than a belief that God will give what we ask for.  It also means confidence, an unwavering trust in God.

*Confidence means a feeling of assurance or trust.

*Doubting means differentials in the middle voice, to dispute with oneself or to waiver in doubt, to be uncertain about.

Ver. 7 – that man is identified with the doubter in ver. 6.  He must not expect that God will respond to his request, for he is insincere and inconsistent in his allegiance to God.

Ver. 8 – the word double minded literally means “double souled” suggesting the depth of the division within the person, a divided heart.  Psalms 12:2 – the characteristics of the sinner as having empty talk, smooth talk and double talk are hence lies.  It embraces falsehood but it also fringes on the insincere and the irresponsible.  The deceiver becomes his own victim with no truth to unite his character.  Pronounce a blessing on those who pursue God with a whole heart.  Psalms 119:2 and Matthew 22:37.

Dedicate or dedication means to be holy, set apart or consecrated.  Make new then imitate, to copy.  God denoting His apartness or Holiness – Isa. 6:3.

The threefold of Holy.  Holiness is the essential quality of deity > El Slam – El God of eternity, the eternal El God, rather than as a name preceded by the independent.  El, the ancient one, becomes one i.e.: Lord of eternity – point of compound divine.  Named so God appears to be identified as El the king.  Yahueh is the God of eternity.  Yahueh is God and is truth.  He is God and is life, the living God and the King of eternity.  Holiness defines God’s basic characteristics in reference to Him and the word – denotes absolute perfection and purity.  Only God is holy in Himself.  God is holy and demands holy people that will be like Him.  I Peter 1:15-16.

 A living sacrifice – present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service.  “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:1-2.  This scripture gives more meaning to the idea of Holiness and Seperative.  Holiness includes a sacrifice of our desires and our wills.

*Sacrifice means the act of offering something to a deity, the ritual slaughter of a victim.

*Desire means to wish or long for, want.  We must present ourselves in a manner that is acceptable unto God.

Exodus 28:3 a person set apart to God.  Acts 9:13-17 The inauguration or dedication of the first covenant.  Hebrews 9:18 And of Christ’s dedication to a new and living way. Hebrews 10:20 Related to the idea of dedication and devotion.  Holiness means being totally devoted or dedicated.