Wisdom for the Challenges of Life
James 1:2-12
I. God redeems our trials (James 1:2-3)
A. Trials are difficulties, challenges, temptations.
1. No one enjoys trials.
(a) So how can we “consider it pure joy?”
(b) By remembering the result of enduring trials.
(c) By remembering that God is a redeeming God.
(d) God uses trials to strengthen our faith.
2. “The testing of your faith develops perseverance.”
(a) It’s easy to trust God when things are going fairly well.
(b) We tend to want to be comfortable.
(c) We want to park ourselves on Easy Street.
(d) But that doesn’t require any faith.
3. Faith is like a muscle.
(a) It has to be worked to get stronger.
(b) God uses the challenges of life to strengthen me.
(c) We are forced to rely on God in the challenging times.
(d) We tend to pray more frequently and fervently.
(e) We are much more aware of our need for God.
4. God faithfully brings us through the challenges.
(a) He hears our prayers and strengthens us.
(b) He demonstrates his power and his faithfulness.
(c) He reminds us of his love.
(d) He reminds us of our identity.
5. We learn that God is always faithful!
(a) He gives us the strength to endure.
(b) He draws close to us as we draw close to him.
(c) Over the years, we see a consistent pattern of faithfulness.
(d) That history strengthens our resolve to persevere.
(e) It stretches our ability to patiently endure life’s challenges.
B. Patient endurance of trials has a purpose (James 1:4)
1. Learning to patiently wait on God matures us.
(a) It strengthens our character.
(b) It grows our ability to trust God.
(c) It teaches us to rely on his character (rest in him).
II. God gives us wisdom! (James 1:5)
A. In the midst of the trial, if you don’t know what to do:
1. Ask God for wisdom (he gives generously).
(a) Don’t be afraid (“he gives without finding fault”).
(b) Wisdom will be given to you (a promise).
2. But we need to believe (trust) (James 1:6).
(a) Sometimes God speaks very clearly.
(b) Sometimes we need to decide, trusting we have wisdom.
3. Doubting undermines the process (James 1:7).
(a) Fretting about whether I have wisdom or not.
(b) The waffler is unstable (“double minded”).
III. God reminds us of our identity.
A. James is addressing conflict between rich and poor.
1. The trial he has in mind may be landowners’ treatment of poor laborers.
(a) James gives rich and poor Christians very different advice (James 1:9-11).
(b) What is he doing? Is he prejudiced against the rich?
B. All Christians have equal value in God’s eyes:
1. But the world treats people very differently.
(a) Rich people are constantly being affirmed by culture (for success, achievement, the right stuff).
(b) The poor hear a different message (excluded, disrespected, less status).
2. James reminds all of them of the Gospel.
(a) We are all forgiven and favored in Christ.
(b) Everything we have is because of grace.
3. James reminds his readers of our identity in Christ.
(a) To the poor he says, “Remember that you are cherished by God.”
(b) We are valued even if our circumstances are humble.
4. To the wealthy and successful he says, “Be humble.”
(a) He emphasizes that our identity is not in success.
(b) Every blessing is from God (James 1:17), so be humble.
5. The Gospel is the great equalizer. All are equal in God’s eyes.
(a) If God says we’re equal, we are.
(b) As Christians we need to live that out in both our attitudes and our actions.