1. THE PERFECTING OF OUR FAITH
Lesson 2 for October 11, 2014

2. The testing of your faith
James 1:2-11
James 1:2-3
The testing of your faith
James 1:4
Faith that perfects
James 1:5-6
Asking in faith
James 1:7-8
Faith and doubt
James 1:9-11
The rich and the poor

3. THE TESTING OF YOUR FAITH
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” (James 1:2-3)
THE TESTING OF YOUR FAITH
Peter wrote that we must be “grieved by various trials” (1P. 1:6). How can we feel “all joy” when we are grieved by trials?
James used the expression “the testing of your faith” to explain a process of testing. Our faith is tested in several ways (some of them may be painful), so it may shine like gold and produce fruit, patience.
How to exercise our faith:
Believe in a loving Father.
Trust in His wisdom.
Act according to His Word.
Blessed are those who see the final result beyond the present sorrow by faith (Mt. 5:12)
We feel “all joy” if we concentrate on the refined gold, instead of gazing at the fire.

4. FAITH THAT PERFECTS
“But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:4)
Perfection
Faith
Trials
Patience
God set a goal for us: to be perfect (spiritual maturity) and upright (completely whole)
According to Ephesians 4:13, when will we achieve that perfection?
We will be perfect when we become like Christ.
Paul understood that he was not perfect yet (Phil. 3:12-15). We must follow his example, pressing toward the mark.

5. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:5-6)
ASKING IN FAITH
According to the Bible, wisdom is not just knowledge. Wisdom is being able to act in “the fear of the Lord” (Proverbs 9:10)
Listening, silencing and being angry at the right time (James 1:19)
Understanding the needs of others (James 2:15-16)
Behaving properly and humbly (James 3:13)
We must ask for that kind of wisdom with faith. We must believe that God has the power to change us, so our lives may reflect our communion with Christ.

6. FAITH AND DOUBT
“For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:7-8)
James asked us the same Elijah did, “How long will you falter between two opinions?” (1K. 18:21). The “double- minded man” is hesitant between faith and doubt.
Our faith must be alive; it must grow. When we seek God and trust Him in all circumstances, we are exercising our faith. That’s how it grows.
A God-given faith that is purified in the refining pot of trials can move mountains. That’s a doubtless faith.

7. “The most trying experiences in the Christian life may be the most blessed. The special providences of the dark hours may encourage the soul in the future attacks of Satan, and equip the soul to stand most fiery trials. The trial of your faith is more precious than gold. But in order to endure the test, you must have that faith, that abiding confidence in God, that will not be disturbed by the arguments and temptations of the deceiver. Take the Lord at his word. Study the promises, and appropriate them as you have need. ‘Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.’ Happy is the man, who, when tempted, finds his soul rich in the knowledge of the Scriptures, who finds shelter beneath the promises of God. ‘Thy word,’ said the psalmist, ‘have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.’ We need that calm, steady faith, that undaunted moral courage, that none but Christ can give, in order that we may be braced for trial and strengthened for duty.”
E.G.W. (The Review and Herald, April 17, 1894)

8. James Jesus THE RICH AND THE POOR
“Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.” (James 1:9-11)
James’ teachings on the rich may seem extreme, but Jesus taught the same:
James
The rich will fade away (James 1:11)
They must care about the orphans and the widows (James 1:27)
They only care about themselves (James 5:1-4)
They don’t pay their employees (James 5:4)
Jesus
Wealth chokes the seed of the Gospel (Lk. 8:14)
They must care about the needy (Mt. 25:37-40)
They only care about themselves (Lk. 12:16-21)
The laborer is worthy of his wages (Lk. 10:7)

9. “The Bible does not condemn the rich man because he is rich; it does not declare the acquisition of wealth to be a sin, nor does it say that money is the root of all evil. On the contrary, the Scriptures state that it is God who gives the power to get wealth. And this ability is a precious talent if consecrated to God and employed to advance His cause. The Bible does not condemn genius or art; for these come of the wisdom which God gives. We cannot make the heart purer or holier by clothing the body in sackcloth, or depriving the home of all that ministers to comfort, taste, or convenience.
The Scriptures teach that wealth is a dangerous possession only when placed in competition with the immortal treasure. It is when the earthly and temporal absorbs the thoughts, the affections, the devotion which God claims, that it becomes a snare.”
E.G.W. (Counsels on Stewardship, cp. 28, pg. 138)