“Remaining
Steadfast Under Trial”
James
1:12-18
February
28th and March 1st , 2009
“Hang in there”, “Don’t worry, things
will turn around”, “just put one foot in front of another”. What do all of these statements have in
common? They are statements we have
either heard from others or given to others who are going through tough
circumstances or even a trial. Sometimes
this advice is helpful, but at other times in is hastily given and stated not
in a helpful way, but out of our own discomfort. We simply don’t like to see anyone
struggling, so we have to say something.
Our text today says “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under
trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life”. Here you have a Divine statement and promise
which assumes that we as Christian people are going to be faced with trials and
temptations, but God’s merciful hand will always have a the final say.
The word for trial in our text is
really a word about temptation. Some
might falsely assume that temptation would lesson for the Christian as he
progresses in his faith. According to
this view a strong faith, means less
temptation. C.S. Lewis in a book titled
Mere Christianity makes the case that it is in fact the opposite is the case. “A
silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know
how strong it is…. A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply
does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why “bad” people know very little
about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always given in. We never find out the strength of the evil
impulse inside us until we try to fight it: and Christ, because He was the only
man who never yielded to temptation, is also the only man who knows to the full
what temptation means.” Oscar
Wilde once wrote “When fleeing temptation, always be sure you leave a
forwarding address, for the only real way to get rid of temptation is to yield
to it”. While this quote shows the
strength of temptation, we do know of another place to put temptation. In
other words Christians especially know what temptations are like, because we
know that God has set before us a perfect, albeit high standards. So temptations are real, but we as
crhistians have someone who helps buffer the power and impact of
temptations. That someone has promised
to be there with us when facing temptations, and he is the one who lifts up
repentant believers when they yield to temptation. “For we do not have a high priest who is
unable to sympathize with our weaknesses we have one who has been tempted in
every way, just as we are, yet without sin.”
He makes all the difference when it comes to trials and temptations.
Therefore we shouldn’t be surprised
when temptations come. In my
pre-marital guidance sessions there is a compatibility profile that couples
fill out which describe their strengths and growth areas. In one of those areas is something called
“Marriage expectations”. The profile
then assesses how realistic those expectations are? At times, especially with younger couples,
the expectations do not always match reality.
For example couples will agree with that statement we will never face serious
challenges in our marriages, or they will disagree with the statement that
“romantic love” will fade somewhat through marriage. I get the results back, and they are marked
“S”, for special focus items. Yes, major
issues can and will come up, and I think it is safe to say that “romantic” love
fades a bit over time. Now if couples go
in with the wrong expectations, they are set up to think that their marriages
are a failures when major challenges come to the marriage, and yes romantic
love “fades” a bit over time. Jesus is
warning us about Christian expectations both for ourselves and for others. Trials of all sorts may come our way, and
they may even increase because of Jesus.
Jesus would say to his disciples “All men will hate you because of me,
but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. Paul says in Romans “Be joyful in hope,
patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
The assumption here is that affliction and temptation will be part of
the Christian life. Don’t be
surprised. I’m reading a book titled
“Leaving the church”, and in this book the author describes the multitude of
reasons why people are leaving congregations.
While she has many good points, and things to think about, as I’m
reading this I’m wondering if expectations of what to expect from a
congregation are often unrealistic. In
other words, the church and its leadership are made up of fallen people, and
yet God gathers us together under his Word, under his forgiveness, under his good
news to practice what he gives us. Forgiveness,
and a life of love.
So now that we know that trials and
temptations are a reality, and even more
so for the Christian. How does one
remain steadfast under trial? To remain
steadfast as a Christian is not about “will power”. It is not primarily about our promises of an
improved life, though that is to be the desire of all believers. To be steadfast is to hold on to the Savior
for dear life, and to recognize that his grip on us is greater than our grip on
him. While God doesn’t cause temptation
or create them, he can use them to exercise our faith muscles. In 1 Corinthians he gives those who
struggle with temptation this assurance “No temptation has overtaken you that
is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be
tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation he will also provide the
way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” In other words our Jesus, the one who was
tempted himself by Satan in the dessert, is greater than any temptation. I suppose an even greater challenge to being
steadfast under trial, is when we are tempted to believe that his Word of
forgiveness, life, and salvation don’t apply to us when we fail to live up to
his high standards, when we fail him and others. When we fall to temptation. Folks
we have failed, but this Jesus who was tempted for you in the desert has not
failed. This Jesus who suffered real trials, and
unimaginable difficulties on his road to