THE GOAL OF HARDSHIP--Part 2

"WHAT'S HAPPENING TO ME!?"

Consider it pure joy, my brothers,

whenever you face trials of many kinds,

because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

Perseverance must finish its work

so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1.2-4

What's happening is

1. We are facing trials. The word for trials means circumstances that drive or distract us away from our faith and faithfulness. There are "many kinds" of trials. One of the best lists of "trials" is in 2 Corinthians 12.9-10: "weaknesses, insults, persecutions, hardships, and difficulties." The Apostle insists that these are the circumstances in which God reveals Himself to us in extra-special ways, called "grace." He says that God's grace makes us strong when faced with "weaknesses." Difficult and hard "trials" are the times that God reveals the greatness of His goodness and glory, wisdom and strength, love, holiness, and righteousness.

"Enduring hardship" is part of being "good soldiers of Jesus Christ." 2 Tim. 2.3-4.

Trials perfect our faith and result in praise, honor and glory for the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1.6-7.

What's happening is

2. Trials are for "the testing of your faith." "Trials" demonstrate , the genuineness, the sincerity, the strength of our faith. They are public demonstrations of how much we trust in God's goodness at work in our lives. Trials demonstrate how much we believe Romans 8.28-39 that says that God makes all things work out for good in our lives. Do we believe that we will become "more than conquerors" even though we are oppressed and dismayed by what is happening? Do we trust that "God is for us" and is still our good Shepherd, watching over us through dark days of pain, shame and guilt? Do we believe that He cares for us with a love that is exceedingly, abundantly above all that we can ask or think? Romans 8.31, 35, 39; Ephesians 3.20-21; Psalm 23. Can we do what is good and right in the face of "evil" ( harmful, wrong treatment), confident of God's eventual justification of our obedience? Romans 8.29-30; 12.21.

1 Peter has a whole series of statements about how suffering is used by God to demonstrate His goodness and glory in the lives of those who trust and obey Him.

Jesus' instructs us to respond with good works and words to those who who mistreat us (Luke 6.27-28). Peter says that to rejoice as Jesus' glory is revealed to us in our suffering for Him. 1 Peter 4.12-13. Paul says that in suffering we come to know Jesus more deeply than in any other way. Phil. 3.7-14; 1 Timothy 1.12-17.

Using James' same word for "test" in Romans 12.2, Paul tells us the transforming work of God allows us to "experience" and therefore demonstrate God's work and way as beng good, pleasing, and perfect.

Peter says that the enduring of suffering "proves" that our faith is genuine.

When we experience hardships, we can come to God and He will work with us throughout the time we are enduring. Our faith is perfected and God's real presence is demonstrated to and through our responses.

As we grow wiser, stronger, and better, all we touch experience the love and power of God to save and deliver and transform the lives of those who believe, trust, and obey Him.

It is no wonder then that James says we can depend on this--

Great joy comes to us
when we remain faithful to Jesus

in the face of difficult difficulties.

To be continued.