[Biblemat] S) THE BLESSING OF ADVERSITY

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  Here is a study from my
recent files.  Use to the glory of God.

THE BLESSING OF ADVERSITY

     "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers tempt-
ations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh pat-
ience" (Jas. 1:2,3).

     James more than likely was the James who was the Lord's
brother (Gal. 1:19).  During the earthly ministry of Christ, James was one 
who did not believe that Jesus was the Mess-
iah (Jno. 7:5) but later was listed as a believer in Jesus (Acts
1:14; 1 Cor. 15:7).  He was also a prominent member of the 
church at Jerusalem.  The epistle in which the above verse is
taken was written to the "twelve tribes, which are scattered
abroad" (Jas. 1:1).  This of course would include both Jews
and Gentiles (cf. Gal. 6:16).  The epistle deales with various
specifics but the overall theme of the book deals with faith
and more specifically the man of faith.  James takes what 
many refer to as the "practical approach" to Christianity.

     It seems somewhat ironic that James, who was at one time
an unbeliever, would be used by God to write an epistle on
faith and being a man of faith.  But perhaps this is not so iron-
ic at all.  When we look at the New Testament we should take
note that every one of its writers are examples of subject title.  They all 
came to realize the great blessings that came with adversity.  All the apostles 
were martyrs for the cause of
Christ.  Jesus said they would be His witnesses (Lk. 24:48).
The word witness is also translated (martyr).  Even those who
were not apostles such as John Mark, Luke, James and Jude,
are all recipients of the blessings that come with adversity.

     Adversity can be defined as difficulties, misfortunes.  Some of its 
synonyms are trouble, difficulty, hardship, distress, disaster, suffering, 
affliction, sorrow, misery, tribula-
tion, woe, pain, trauma, mishap, etc.  What are some of the
blessings that can be gained through adversity according to
the inspired James?

Patience: -- James writes Christians and states they are to
count it all joy when in trials and tribulations because when
our faith is tested we gain patience.  The word patience is
hupomone -- steadfastness, constancy, endurance, in the New Testament the 
characteristic of a man who is not swerv-
ed from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the 
greatest trials and sufferings (Joseph Thay-
er).

     Jesus would also speak of the patience of Job (Jas. 5:11).
Job was stripped of all his worldly possessions, deprived of all his 
children, tortured in body with sore disease, tempted
by the devil, harassed by his wife, and ridiculed by his friends
Nevertheless, he held fast his integrity, resigned himself to
the Divine dispensations, and charged not God foolishly.  We
too gain patience through adversity if we allow it!  Notice
James says but "let patience have her perfect work".  James
places the responsibility upon the Christian to allow adversity
to be profitable and a blessing.

True Faith: -- James mentions that another blessing of adver-
sity is "true faith".  Just the mention of true faith tells us that
there is false faith.  False faith includes erroneous teaching
and belief of such teaching but is not limited to this.  The word "faith" not 
only refers to belief but also carries with it
the idea of trust and dependence.  False faith also refers to
doubt and a lack of trust.  James states that such a man
should not expect anything from God (Jas. 1:6-8).  So many
people have a very strong academic based faith but lack the
trust and courage to exercise their faith without wavering.  To
know the Word of God is to practice without doubt what the
Word of God says.  James states that the Christian's faith 
must be acompanied by works of faith!  He says "faith with-
out works is dead" (Jas. 2:14-26).  James uses two individua-
ls that exemplify true faith.  Both Abraham and Rahab showed
their faith (trust) in God by their works toward God.  Abraham
put the life of his son Isaac on the line when he offered him
up as a sacrifice to God believing/trusting that God would
raise him up because of God's promise to him (Heb. 11:19).
Rahab put her life on the line when she hid the Israelite spies
who had come to spy out the city of Jericho.  She knew the
God of the Israelites was the true and living God.  She had 
heard what He had done to the Egyptians and trusted that He
could deliver her from death (Jos. 2:1-24 cf. Heb. 11:31).

Sincerity: -- James has much to say about hypocrisy:

                    Sincere religion -- Jas. 1:21-27.  Sincere judg-
                     ment -- Jas. 2:1-13.  Sincere obedience -- Jas.
                     3:1-18.  Sincere Love -- Toward God -- Jas. 4:1-
                      10.  Toward one another -- Jas. 4:11,12.

Hope: -- James ends this epistle with hope.  The hope that 
James refers to is the hope of heaven.  This is the only true
hope that the Christian has.  The uncertainity of this life can-
not bring about surety.  The behavior of others cannot be de-
pended on regarding justness and righteousness.  So the faithfulness of God 
is all that we have as Christians to rely
on.  God has proven Himself faithful to keep His Word.  The
Christians' reliance on God is manifest by their prayers and 
conduct (Jas. 5:1-20)!

     We should all ask ourselves the question, has adversity
been a blessing or a curse to me?  ---- Harold Carswell, Jr.
via Gospel Power, Vol. 14, No. 13, April 1, 2007.   </HTML>
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