Monday, May 11, 2015

 James 1: 1 – 15

Hard times.  Trials and tribulations.  Temptations. Life challenges.

Indeed, those are all part of our life even though we might wish otherwise.  I would really rather (I think) not have times of pain and suffering, of doubt, of fear.  But James says we should welcome these times as opportunities for growth.  He says they are what makes us really look to God for help, strength, guidance, and they are “the proof of the pudding”.  In facing challenges we find out both what we are made of and what God is made of.

Hardships don’t last forever, and James also says that prosperity and the good things in life don’t last forever either.  So enjoy the good times (our own and those of others) and make best use of the bad times as they develop our faith and character.

BUT and this is a big but with James, the temptations and trials are NOT sent by God with a view to tripping us up, to making us fail.  He says, “God puts evil in no one’s way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us.” (The Message, 13 -14)

I read a couple of verses further: “Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven.  The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle.” (16 -17)

I like the newer translation of the Lord’s prayer where we say “Save us from the time of trial,” rather than “Lead us not into temptation. “ That seems to capture what James is expressing here.  We can count on God during those hard times.  They can be turned into blessings for us.

Blessings

Ann Kelland