Trials & Our Image of God “Real Life” [James] Series [6] James 1:16-18

REVIEW & OVERVIEW (1:2-18): HOW JAMES ADMONISHES US CONCERNING TRIALS WHAT TO DO when you meet trials of various kinds:  Count it all joy (v.2). Because you know that the testing of your faith has benefits.  Let steadfastness have its full effect (v. 4). Because it leads you to be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  Ask God for wisdom—without doubting (v.5). Because God gives generously to all without reproach.

REVIEW & OVERVIEW (1:2-18): HOW JAMES ADMONISHES US CONCERNING TRIALS WHAT NOT TO DO when you meet trials of various kinds:  Do NOT complain and blame God (v.13). Because God tempts no one but your own evil desire is the source of temptation.  Do NOT be deceived about who God is (v.16). Because the Evil One as well as your own evil desire will lure you to complain and blame God.

REVIEW & OVERVIEW (1:2-18): HOW JAMES ADMONISHES US CONCERNING TRIALS WHAT BENEFITS do trials bring?  Wisdom (v.5) To see all things from God’s perspective [discerning eyes].  Brokenness (v.14) To be broken from our insatiable evil desires [transformed heart].  Experiential knowledge of God (vs.17-18) To experience God, seeing who God is in reality [fuller image of God].

REVIEW & OVERVIEW (1:2-18): HOW JAMES ADMONISHES US CONCERNING TRIALS In today’s text (vs.16-18), James presents three essential truths about God.  These truths are unchangeable.  These truths are universal—for all people in trials of all kinds.  These truths are able to help us correct our distorted image of God.

TRUTHS ABOUT GOD TO REMEMBER AMIDST TRIALS 1)Truth about God #1: God gives every good & perfect gift to us. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…. (vs.16-17)  Satan will try to deceive us about the character of God— e.g., that God gives pain and suffering only, so God is cruel and uncaring in our trials.  BUT ALL good things are given to us by grace [=gifts] from God who controls the sun, moon, stars and the universe!  God is the Father who tenderly cares for all creation— especially people who are made in God’s image.  Therefore, we must trust that God is good in our trials.

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! Matthew 7:11

TRUTHS ABOUT GOD TO REMEMBER AMIDST TRIALS 2)Truth about God #2: God NEVER changes—God is faithful. …from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (v.17b) “For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” (Malachi 3:6)

TRUTHS ABOUT GOD TO REMEMBER AMIDST TRIALS 2)Truth about God #2: God NEVER changes—God is faithful. …from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (v.17b)  Even the heavenly lights—sun, moon and stars—have variation and inevitable changes, but God is not like them.  God NEVER changes—God’s nature and character are unchangeable!  When everything changes around us during fiery trials, God does NOT and will NOT change.  Therefore, we must trust that God is faithful in our trials; i.e., God is good—all the time!!!

22 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-27

TRUTHS ABOUT GOD TO REMEMBER AMIDST TRIALS 3)Truth about God #3: God chose to make us his beloved children through the Word of truth. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (v.18)  This expression, “brought us forth” is intentional to contrast with “giving birth” of desire, sin, and death (v.15)  Beyond the common grace for all people, God has chosen to save us through the gospel and regenerate us as HIS children (i.e., chosen “firstfruits” of God creatures).  For believers, our relationship is that of the Father and the beloved children in eternity—this relationship doesn’t change because HIS immutability and faithfulness.  Therefore, we must trust that God is our ABBA in our trials.

God Is Good—All the Time! God will not turn away from doing you good. He will keep on doing good. He doesn't do good to His children sometimes and bad to them other times. He keeps on doing good and He never will stop doing good for ten thousand ages of ages. When things are going bad that does not mean God has stopped doing good. It means He is shifting things around to get them in place for more good, if you will go on loving Him. - John Piper

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1.Do NOT be deceived by THE LIES OF EVIL ONE ABOUT GOD.  Turn from the lies of your evil desire and the world.  Turn from the lies of Satan. 2.Acknowledge that EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT came from God.  Thank God that all good things we have came from HIM!  Change your attitude toward trials in this view (rejoice!). 3.Trust in GOD’S FAITHFULNESS amidst your trials.  Remember God’s past faithfulness in your current trials.  Remember that God is not like us—God NEVER changes.