Notes of Faith May 15, 2026
Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Studies in James
March 9, 2003
“THE CHRISTIAN AND TRIALS”
The Epistle of James is an extremely practical book. James is replete with practical themes of the Christian life. For the next five weeks I have selected five of the outstanding themes of James to examine. In this first study we will look at “The Christian and Trials.” Trials and testing are part and parcel of the Christian experience. However, they are not without design and purpose. James 1:2-12 explains the place trials are to have in the believer’s life – the purpose for which they are allowed by God, as well as the attitude with which the believer is to accept them.
The philosophy of testing is found in verses 2-4. “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
• The Christian should have a positive reaction to trials, considering them a source of joy (v. 2). This includes trials of all kinds (various). The word “encounter” means to be completely surrounded by different kinds of trials.
• The prominent reason for trials is threefold (vv. 3-4):
1) Trials produce patience. God expects His people to endure or hang in there when trials come. 2) With this patience comes maturity – becoming more like the Lord Jesus. 3) Trials bring us to our knees as we petition our Lord through prayer (vv. 5-8). “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” We see that the purpose of petition (prayer) is to obtain wisdom to know how we should respond to these trials. God’s promise in answer to that prayer is that wisdom will be given generously and without reproach. We also see a precaution regarding prayer, and that is, we are to ask in faith without doubting. The doubting man cannot expect anything from the Lord.
The perspective of testing is found in verses 9-11. “But let the brother of humble circumstances glory in his high position; and let the rich man glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off, and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.”
• The perspective of the poor is to glory in his high position in Christ.
• The perspective of the rich is to glory in his humiliation which is explained in verses 10-11.
The prize for enduring through our trials is found in verse 12. “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” If we endure, we will receive the crown of eternal life with Him. What a promise!
Beloved, what are you going through at this time in your Christian experience? Are you considering trials a source of joy (an unshakable assurance of well-being in Christ)? Are you developing endurance? Do you have an accurate perspective? Are you anticipating the prize – the Crown of Life? Let’s look at our trials as Christ does and thank Him for them! God bless.
In His matchless Name,
Pastor Charles Covington
1 Thess 5:16-18
16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Life is better than death especially if you have yet to discover your eternal destiny! It is not easy to rejoice in trial and tribulation if you do not believe in Jesus, for He is life, the Giver of life, the Sustainer of life, the Provider of eternal life! Only in Jesus can one have the joy of the Lord during life on this side of heaven and eternity. May you be blessed to know Him today, have intimate relationship with Him, and trust Him for every moment that comes your way!
Pastor Dale