James 1--a few thoughts

James 1—

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,⁶ 3 because you know that the testing of your faith⁷ develops perseverance.⁸ 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature⁹ and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

You sympathized with those in prison¹ and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.  Hebrews 10:34

Rejoice and be glad,¹ because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.  Matthew 5:12

11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace¹ for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11

In this you greatly rejoice,¹ though now for a little while² you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  1Peter 1:6

These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire¹--may be proved genuine² and may result in praise, glory and honor³ when Jesus Christ is revealed.  1Peter 1:7

You need to persevere¹ so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.  Heb. 10:36

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“mature”:

 …until we all reach unity¹ in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God² and become mature,³ attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.  Ephesians 4:13

But solid food is for the mature,¹ who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.  Heb 5:14

Therefore let us leave¹ the elementary teachings² about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,^a3 and of faith in God,  Heb 6:1

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Consider it joy whenever you face trials of many kinds

because the testing of your faith⁷ develops perseverance

The end result= maturity—complete, not lacking in anything

Joyfully accept loss of possessions—knowing you have better and lasting possessions

When suffering persecution—

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven

Discipline, though painful, produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Summary—what we gain through trials:

Perseverance

Maturity (attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ)

Completeness

No more lack

Lasting possessions

Great reward in heaven

Righteousness and peace

Genuine faith-- proved by trials/testing

Summary—what we do:

·          Consider it joy with an eye on the goal—perseverance’s finished work that produces maturity & completeness

·          Joyfully accept loss of the material focusing on the lasting possessions

·          Rejoice and be glad because a great reward awaits us in heaven—keep focused on the greatness of heaven not the greatness of the trial

·          Focus on the purpose and product of the discipline not the pain and pity (poor me)