James 1:2-3 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”
These types of passages are worth thinking about deeply. You know, the type that encourage us to be joyful in times of temptation.
We use them to make the point that we should endure and be faithful in life’s difficult times.
This is not the only point the passage is trying to make.
We are dealing with temptation. This is not temptation to sin, but it should be noted that any trial of faith is often accompanied by temptation to sin.
The very idea of a “faith trial” means a potential deficiency of faith and subsequent reliance upon something (or someone) else. That would be sin.
If we hold to our faith in trial, God will grant joy, as we delight in Him, and de-emphasize self and circumstance.
Multiplied trials mean more opportunities for full reliance upon God. These are joy-building, faith-building, patience-building opportunities.
They teach us how to cope with life – never on our own – but in complete submission to Him and His will for us.
James 1:2-3 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”