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Count It All Joy |
Dear Brethren,
Do you know what it is like to go through a fiery trial?
You feel like you are being crushed by the weight of it. You
feel that things are only getting worse and worse, and that
you may not survive. At the time of the trial, you may
likely think that there no reason at all for it, but God
does allow Christians to experience severe trials in their
lives, including terrible afflictions and horrible
troubles. He does this for good reason – He is the author
and finisher of our faith – He is directing our lives for
our ultimate good (Hebrews 12:2). His love for us is
perfect, and the trials He allows us are tailor made for us
– sometimes even unto death.
Wouldn't it be great if, when we were experiencing terrible
trials in our lives, we could be assured of receiving not
only encouragement, but also Godly advice to aid us in our
difficulty? At a time like that, wouldn't it be wonderful
to receive a letter of instruction and comfort from someone
speaking with Godly authority – an expert in matters
of perfection and faith? In the Bible, a letter like that
is called an "epistle." We each, have received such a
letter to guide us in times of dire straits. The general
epistle of James is such a letter that you and I can count
as personal counsel – directly from God. James wrote and
said, "My brother, count it as all joy
when you encounter various trials; Knowing this,
that the proving and test of your faith works endurance and
steadfastness in you." (James 1:2-3)
We have learned that no difficult trial is
pleasant at the time, but God has assured us that He will
make sure that each test of our faith, that we must endure,
will not be too much for us. "There hath no temptation
taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful,
who will not allow you to be tempted above that you are
able; but will with the temptation also make a way to
escape, that you may be able to bear it."
(1Corinthians 10:13)
Let's look at our trials and tests the way that God meant
for us to understand their purpose. Yes, they are very hard
to endure, but their purpose is to bring about the peaceable
fruit of righteousness in our lives. "No chastening for
the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless
afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness
unto them which are exercised thereby." (Hebrews
12:11)
Peter spoke of how suffering and trials make us better
Christians by perfecting our character. "Wherein
you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be,
you are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the
trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold
that perishes, though it be tried with fire,
might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the
appearing of Jesus Christ." (1Peter 1:6-7)
Paul says that in comparison to the reward
we will receive after our trials and tribulations are over,
our physical body being used up is only a "light
affliction." He can say that, because the result of our
trial is that glorious Godly character that God, Himself, is
producing in us. "All things are for your sakes, that
the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many
redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not;
but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is
renewed day by day. For our light affliction,
which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding
and eternal weight of glory." (2Corinthians 4:15-17)
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Sermon: |
"Count It All Joy"
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