James Teaches Trials and Steadfastness James 1:2-12

REFLECTION 1: Trials should be received as God’s grace

James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

REFLECTION 1: Trials should be received as God’s grace 2 Corinthians 4:17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

REFLECTION 1: Trials should be received as God’s grace Acts 5:41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.

REFLECTION 1: Trials should be received as God’s grace James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

REFLECTION 1: Trials should be received as God’s grace

REFLECTION 2: Steadfastness results from faith

Excerpt from Uncle Tom’s Cabin: “Mas’r, if you was sick, or in trouble, or dying, and I could save ye, I’d give ye my heart’s blood; and, if taking every drop of blood in this poor old body would save your precious soul, I’d give ‘em freely, as the Lord gave his for me. O Mas’r, don’t bring this great sin on your soul! It will hurt you more than ‘t will me! Do the worst you can, my troubles’ll be over soon; but if you don’t repent, yours won’t never end!”

REFLECTION 2: Steadfastness results from faith James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

REFLECTION 2: Steadfastness results from faith

REFLECTION 3: Wisdom is both promised and pursued

James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

REFLECTION 3: Wisdom is both promised and pursued

REFLECTION 4: Poverty and riches don’t define us

James 1:9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away.

REFLECTION 4: Poverty and riches don’t define us Luke 6:20 “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.”

REFLECTION 4: Poverty and riches don’t define us 1 Timothy 6:17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.

REFLECTION 4: Poverty and riches don’t define us James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

REFLECTION 4: Poverty and riches don’t define us