
Central to the book of James is a call for all Christians to take their life in Christ seriously. It is a call for a deep, abiding, sincere, and consistent relationship with Christ and how that impacts the way we treat others.
Faithfulness to God matters.
Facing Trials
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish it work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4
Have you ever thought about what it means to grow in the Lord? Do you need to be mature and complete in Him? If so, then be prepared for your faith to be tested.
Physical illness, financial hardship, challenging relationships, and even a pandemic bring us heartache. We cannot control everything that happens to us. Troubles are going to knock on your door, and the economy will fail you.
Not all people are trustworthy.
A tested and tried faith will stand the test of time; come forth strong, or it will be found wanting. There’s no middle road. Those who honestly trust the Lord will not be disheartened, but those who trust in themselves might as well lean on a spider web for support.
God is trustworthy.
Believers who lean on the long arm of God will see Him work through trials to inspire, encourage, and strengthen you. He wants to build you up spiritually. His love compels Him to test and try our faith so it can come out on the other side, shining like the new day dawn.
This is how we gain peace in the storm and joy amid trouble. The tested faith will return to us purely as gold and refined as silver.
Seek Wisdom
Knowledge and education come from many sources: teachers, parents, mentors, and numerous well-written books. As you know, it takes years to gain a degree and years more to become proficient.
But wisdom comes from the Lord.
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
James 1:5-8
If we honestly seek wisdom from God, then He will not withhold it from us. He is not a God who holds out wisdom like candy just beyond our reach. He will give us what we need, even wisdom, as long as we wholeheartedly reach out for it.
An open hand will be filled, but a closed fist never gets anything.
God is kind, loving, and wise. What is given will be given out generously. God’s single, undivided intent is to provide what we need and provide us with gifts that please Him.
does the testing of our faith produce wisdom?
The testing of our faith is real. Trials that come from outward circumstances and temptations that come from our heart will try our faith.
I don’t want to face the Lord someday and hear these words, “I tested you and tried you, and you were found wanting. I know you not.”
Our faith will be tested.
God will not let you down through troubles, temptations, heartache, illness, poverty, and a pandemic. You belong to Him. Let us hold fast to the One who holds us close to His heart. Troubles come, and troubles go, but Christ remains faithful and true.
restoration in suffering
Suffering is a part of the Christian life. The sooner we grasp this truth, the sooner we will begin to mature and put away false expectations
And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.
1 Peter 5:10
It is not uncommon for us to experience suffering and human sorrow. We have a choice: suffer with Christ or suffer without Him.
Let us suffer without sinning. Our faith will be refined like pure gold when it is tested.
We live in a particular place – full access to the gospel and the indwelling Hoy Spirit. We face nothing alone. He who walks with us walks close enough to uphold us by His righteous right hand. Don’t lose any sleep tonight or be worry bound by what is just around the corner—the Lord watches over us with love.
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings because we know that sufferings produce perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who is given to us.
Romans 5:3-5
The Holy Spirit leads us down many paths. Some are rocky; others lead us up steep hills or mountains, and then again, there are strong turns on the road. But where ever we are we’re equipped with what we need: perseverance, character, and hope.
Perseverance: The action or condition or an instance of persevering: steadfastness.
Preserver: Persist in a state, enterprise, or undertaking despite counter influence, opposition, or discouragement.
Does Wisdom come from knowing god?
Wisdom is not imaginary or abstract. Honestly, wisdom is both personal and practical. Wisdom helps us live responsibly and successfully. Yet wisdom from God goes beyond just “getting ahead” or making it big. Success for a believer is defined based on God’s values, not ours. Wisdom comes from an intimate relationship with the Holy.
The (reverent) fear of the Lord (that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome) is the beginning and preeminent part of wisdom (its starting point and its essence), and the knowledge the Holy One is understanding and spiritual insight. For by me (wisdom from God)) your days will be multiplied, and your years of life shall be increased. If you are wise, you are wise for yourself (for your own benefit).
Proverbs 9:10-12a (Amp)
Wisdom: The discipline of applying truth to one’s life in light of experience.
Wisdom is not contrary to God’s will. Nothing He does or will do is foolish. He gives generously without finding fault in us, but He’s not going to provide us with any more than we need or less than will get the job done.
But…and here’s the big but, we need to believe without waving. A double-minded and unstable person wouldn’t know wisdom even if she knocked on her front door. A person with a divided mind is not loyal.
Wisdom, God-given wisdom, is stable, single-minded, and pure.
Let’s put it all together
If our faith-testing produces maturity, how stable will we become as we ask for wisdom without doubting?
God will provide everything we need for life.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, Inscribe this truth in my heart that I may move in a greater intimate love with you. Thank you for trials, temptations, and the testing of my faith. It’s hard to walk this road, but thank you that I do not have to walk it alone. Help me mature and grow closer to you in fellowship and your Holy Scripture. Thank you for a faith strong enough to be tested and a heart that beats in rhythm with your own. Thank you for developing in my soul character, perseverance, maturity, and enduring faith. So be it, Lord! So be it. Amen.
Call to action
Write down in a journal your thoughts about the testing of our faith and what that means to you in your most intimate relationship with God. Write at the bottom of the page James 1:2-8. If the Lord gives you insight then please write it down.
You can share with the other readers your thoughts on this passage of Scripture.
I’m ever grateful for you.

Hello there sister. Glad to see you here and join in on the conversation
James is the New Testament Proverbs … so many lessons ever learning by going through with Jesus!! Mess= Message-Test= Testimony- Trial=Triumph and Victimness= VICTORY in Jesus! Life is serious business must need to be rooted, established. strengthened and settled in Trinty… humble and grateful for Jesus, His sacrifice, blood and love, risen life giving us eternal life… James, Jesus brother reminds us that you must truly believe who Jesus is! God’s Son God Himself!!!