Talk is cheap. For a few dollars, we can have "whiter teeth," "cleaner clothes," or a "smaller waist." All these things and more are guaranteed to bring you happiness and a better life. And don't get me started on election campaigns! In all these things, there are lots of words, but soon the promises prove to be hollow and quite far from the truth.
Such is the same in our Christian lives. We tell people, "Jesus is the Way," "Believe in God," and "Come to my church with me." Yet, as Christians, sometimes our actions don't line up with our words, and oh, it is my fear that someone would one day say that my actions don't line up with my supposed love for Jesus Christ because I don't want to be a barrier between someone and their decision to follow Christ!
The book of James is a "how-to" book, per say, on the way to live a Christian life. It was suspected to be possibly the first New Testament book written, with maybe the exception of Galatians, so it can be seen as sort of like a manual for the very first Christians. After all, James addresses this letter to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations -- all the Christians.
A major theme of this book is that 'genuine faith will inevitably produce good deeds'. No, we are not saved by our actions and the good things we do at all, but if we are genuine in our faith, we should live a certain way. One of the hardest examples of this in the book of James is right in the beginning. Let's dig into James...
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
"Count it all joy..." Joy? You mean to tell me that what I'm going through right now should be a 'delight' to me? Yes and no. The emotions we feel are human, so allow yourself to feel them. There is nothing sinful in our emotions and feelings, and those feelings may not feel delightful. However, you can count on the fact that if you stick it out to the end, these trials (and the verse tells us that they will come) will become a delight to you because...
"you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." Notice that James says the "testing of your faith". What you're going through today might be grueling on your faith. You may change your mind about what you believe a few times; you may question God and His love for you; you may wonder if it's all even real. According to the dictionary, a "testing" is just this: the means by which the presence, quality, or genuineness of anything is determined. The trials will be the ultimate test -- to see if you are genuine in your faith. You may wander all over in your belief for a time, but the question is, where do you end up at the end? What does this trial ultimately lead you to believe? Because it's only with the testing that true steadfastness can be produced. Steadfastness is defined as fixed in a direction; firm in purpose; unwavering. Is that not how we would desire that God would someday describe our faith?
"And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." Out of our steadfastness, our unwavering faith, comes a maturity that is complete. But what a process it is! This does not happen in a matter of a few months or even years. Just last night, I was crying with my dad because I still miss my mom so much. Let me assure you, I was not feeling joy about the death of my mom last night. I am shocked sometimes that after two years, I still feel the depth of emotion and loss that I did a week after her death. I thought it would feel a little better by now. Some days, it most certainly does not. Yet, I do trust that God is producing a steadfastness in me that would not be equally produced without this trial. My prayer is to be mature and complete, and according to scripture, trials will be the catalyst to maturity if I can stay grounded in my faith in Christ and His plan for humanity.
So, again this morning, puffy eyes and all, I give my life to you, Lord. You are the Potter. I am the clay. I pray that you would continue to mold me into who You want me to be, who You made me to be. This testing is not what I would have chosen, but I know that all You have is love for me, so I can trust You with this, Lord. Produce a steadfastness in me, God, that is unwavering and focused solely upon You. That is all I want.
And give Mom a hug for me. I do miss her.
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