James 1:2-3
“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. “
New American Standard Version
James describes a person surrounded by trials of many kinds. We live in that period when sin exists is ever growing amounts, and we are advised that we will need endurance during this time (Matthew 24:12-13). We are assaulted by many kinds of trials, and they will continue to increase. James seems to be concerned about whether these will produce perseverance in the early church. The same concerns could apply to the church, today.
The trying of our faith seems to be happening a great deal. Our faith is being tested, but it produces patience or puts patience to work. James 1:2-3 suggests that the trials, of and by themselves, do not produce spiritual maturity. In fact, they may turn people bitter or cause them to be envious, jealous of others who do not seem to have any trials, sailing right through life without problem. It can be difficult to see the contentment of others when we feel as if we have the weight of the world on our shoulders, or we are burdened with sorrows, we are perhaps sick, a family member is giving us problems, or we are about to lose our jobs. Under such a strain, it would be easy to become bitter.
James appears to be focused on the testing of our belief and trust or faith. There is also hope that comes from faith, which acts as a motivator to sustain the struggle against the difficulties of life. Hope is not directly mentioned here, but James does mention endurance. There is no active endurance unless one actually desires to accomplish something, and he has the hope of good to come from what he is enduring.
The trial of our faith is to bring us to holiness, but if we lack patience, the process could be short circuited. The natural reaction to trials is to want to escape them, and that is understandable. But if we trust in God and bear the trials, our faith can produce patience.
