James Expounds on Faith Volume 2

 The Testing of Our Faith Part 1

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; KJV

There are over 150 verses in the entire Bible that speak about joy. The epistle or ✉ letter of the Apostle James here at the very beginning mentions joy, however, it is not in the way we are often used to hearing the 📝 writers of the Books 📚 of the Bible mention joy. We are most used to hearing about the 😂 Joy of the Lord that should permeate our souls causing our overflow of worship and praise and prayer to Him, but here we find these words from the Apostle James which is not the way in which we see many of the other writers refer to 😂 joy, as it is written here, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;" (James 1:2) (KJV). The English phrase 'ye fall into' is translated by the Greek word peripiptō meaning to fall into something that is all around, that is, light among or upon, be surrounded with: - fall among (into). The English word 'divers' is translated by the Greek word poikilos meaning motley, that is, various in character: - divers, manifold. The English word 'temptations' is translated by the Greek word peirasmos meaning a putting to proof (by experiment [of good], experience [of evil], solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication adversity: - temptations or trials, to try. In other words, the Apostle here wants us to understand what temptations/trials that are allowed to come to us really are meant to do for us. Our Father in Heaven does not need to reassure Himself that we are His adopted children because He knew us before the foundations of the world's He created were ever laid by Him. However, we need to have our faith tried and tested for our own assurance of true faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for despite our struggles and weaknesses we have the imputed Righteousness of Jesus Christ our Lord imparted to us and when we submit, surrender, and serve Him obediently we will have the assurance of our faith in our inner man or inner woman and we will be able to know what the Prophet Isaiah wrote to the people of Israel long ago when he said, "And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever." (Isaiah 32:17) (KJV). The Apostle Paul wrote about his many struggles and weaknesses in almost all of his epistles, but he also declared his 💪 strength and overcoming came by virtue of his full and complete reliance on our Lord Jesus Christ, that is, His Righteouness imputed, His Grace granted, and His Mercy shown unto him in all of his trials, test, and tribulations brought upon him by the Jews/Hebrew non-Christians and the Gentile non-believers as well, one example that stands out and sticks out and strengthens me the most when I meditate upon it is when he wrote these words to the believers in Rome, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:35-39) (KJV).

Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of James 1:2, "The suffering state of Christians in this world is represented, and that in a very instructive manner, if we attend to what is plainly and necessarily implied, together with what is fully expressed. 1. It is implied that troubles and afflictions may be the lot of the best Christians, even of those who have the most reason to think and hope well of themselves. Such as have a title to the greatest joy may yet endure very grievous afflictions. As good people are liable to be scattered, they must not think it strange if they meet with troubles. 2. These outward afflictions and troubles are temptations to them. The devil endeavours by sufferings and crosses to draw men to sin and to deter them from duty, or unfit them for it; but, as our afflictions are in God's hand, they are intended for the trial and improvement of our graces. The gold is put into the furnace, that it may be purified. 3. These temptations may be numerous and various: Divers temptations, as the apostle speaks. Our trials may be of many and different kinds, and therefore we have need to put on the whole armour of God. We must be armed on every side, because temptations lie on all sides. 4. The trials of a good man are such as he does not create to himself, nor sinfully pull upon himself; but they are such as he is said to fall into. And for this reason they are the better borne by him. The graces and duties of a state of trial and affliction are here pointed out to us. Could we attend to these things, and grow in them as we should do, how good would it be for us to be afflicted! One Christian grace to be exercised is joy: Count it all joy, James 1:2. We must not sink into a sad and disconsolate frame of mind, which would make us faint under our trials; but must endeavour to keep our spirits dilated and enlarged, the better to take in a true sense of our case, and with greater advantage to set ourselves to make the best of it. Philosophy may instruct men to be calm under their troubles; but Christianity teaches them to be joyful, because such exercises proceed from love and not fury in God. In them we are conformable to Christ our head, and they become marks of our adoption. By suffering in the ways of righteousness, we are serving the interests of our Lord's kingdom among men, and edifying the body of Christ; and our trials will brighten our graces now and our crown at last. Therefore there is reason to count it all joy when trials and difficulties become our lot in the way of our duty. And this is not purely a New Testament paradox, but even in Job's time it was said, Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth. There is the more reason for joy in afflictions if we consider the other graces that are promoted by them." Here also is what Albert Barnes had to say of James 1:2, "Not brethren as Jews, but as Christians. Regard it as a thing to rejoice in; a matter which should afford you happiness. You are not to consider it as a punishment, a curse, or a calamity, but as a fit subject of felicitation. Oh the meaning of the word 'temptations,'. It is now commonly used in the sense of placing allurements before others to induce them to sin, and in this sense the word seems to be used in James 1:13-14 of this chapter. Here, however, the word is used in the sense of trials, to wit, by persecution, poverty, calamity of any kind. These cannot be said to be direct inducements or allurements to sin, but they try the faith, and they show whether he who is tried is disposed to adhere to his faith in God, or whether he will apostatize. They so far coincide with temptations, properly so called, as to test the religion of men. They differ from temptations, properly so called, in that they are not brought before the mind for the express purpose of inducing people to sin. In this sense it is true that God never tempts men, James 1:13-14. On the sentiment in the passage before us, see the notes at 1 Peter 1:6-7. The word 'divers' here refers to the various kinds of trials which they might experience - sickness, poverty, bereavement, persecution, etc. They were to count it a matter of joy that their religion was subjected to anything that tried it. It is well for us to have the reality of our religion tested, in whatever way it may be done."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…