Read James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)
The Living Bible portrays these three verses, “Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.”
From early childhood we had to learn that there is no growth without testing. When we were beginning to walk, our parents did not remove all the furniture so that the room would be bare. We had to discover that the tables and chairs were obstacles and that if we did not avoid them we would get hurt. Trials come to us as testings of our faith. The purpose of these testings is not to pull us down but to develop perseverance or steadfastness. Alec Motyer writes: “It is a word which means ‘staying power’, ‘strong constancy’, ‘endurance’ or ‘stickability’.”
The trial has become a testing. The testing develops or produces perseverance which in turn leads to maturity.
We are told to bear fruit, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23). In the natural world heavy storms will either damage the blossoms or ruin the fruit and the harvest will fail. Conversely, spiritual fruit flourishes in the storms. Just as we enjoy eating mature or ripe fruit, so we should receive our trials with joy, knowing that, if we deal with them correctly, they will make us mature.
Are we allowing God to lead us on to maturity?
This meditation is extracted from “Transformation from Belief to Behaviour: 39 Lenten Meditations on the Letter of James” by Peter Young and used with permission by the author. It may be used solely for personal, noncommercial, and informational purposes. Republication or redistribution of this devotional is prohibited.
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