Over this next week, my study will be focusing on specific verses in James. James is one of my favorite books in the Bible. James spends time talking about putting our faith into action, and what that looks like. These next three days, the verses come from James 1. Today's focus is found in James 1:2-4.
James starts off with a command in these verses. He tell me that I am to count all our trials and troubles as opportunities for joy. I am to what?! I don't know about you, but that's not usually the first thought that goes through my mind when I am experiencing difficulties in my life. I am to count them as joy, though, because these hard times help develop and strengthen my faith. As my faith strengthens, so does my endurance, my ability to stand stronger during difficult times. So begins the cycle...with each trial, I get a little stronger, and with each difficulty, my faith is tested more. Until one day, I reach the stage of becoming complete. Philippians 1:6 states, "...He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
I liken the testing of my faith to the stages gold goes through to be purified or a diamond goes through to become a beautiful stone. Gold or diamonds in their basic state aren't exactly pretty. In order for gold to be purified, it has to go through fire. In order for a diamond to become a beautiful stone, the rough edges need to be chiseled away by a skilled craftsman. Like the gold or the diamond, I don't have a "pretty" heart. It is ugly and scarred by sin. God has to purify my heart and chisel away at the rough edges to create something beautiful in the end. Purification and chiseling is not easy, but it's a necessary part of the my life so that I may one day be made complete in Christ.
I am reminded of a song written by Ron Hamilton that is based on Job 23:10, "But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold." It is titled, Rejoice in the Lord. The chorus goes like this,
Oh rejoice in the Lord. He makes no mistakes.
He knoweth the end of each path that I take.
For when I am tried and purified, I shall come forth as gold.
I encourage you to listen to the song or look up the lyrics. It's a slower song, not like many of the ones we hear today, but the words are beautiful.
Other resources:
The video that goes with Refiner's Fire by Steve Green has some great images showing the refining of gold; not to mention the words to the song are a wonderful reminder of God's refining of me.
As I was looking up the refining of gold, I stumbled across a great piece written by someone who's been through some fires. If you have time, I encourage you to read The Refiner's Fire.
James starts off with a command in these verses. He tell me that I am to count all our trials and troubles as opportunities for joy. I am to what?! I don't know about you, but that's not usually the first thought that goes through my mind when I am experiencing difficulties in my life. I am to count them as joy, though, because these hard times help develop and strengthen my faith. As my faith strengthens, so does my endurance, my ability to stand stronger during difficult times. So begins the cycle...with each trial, I get a little stronger, and with each difficulty, my faith is tested more. Until one day, I reach the stage of becoming complete. Philippians 1:6 states, "...He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
I liken the testing of my faith to the stages gold goes through to be purified or a diamond goes through to become a beautiful stone. Gold or diamonds in their basic state aren't exactly pretty. In order for gold to be purified, it has to go through fire. In order for a diamond to become a beautiful stone, the rough edges need to be chiseled away by a skilled craftsman. Like the gold or the diamond, I don't have a "pretty" heart. It is ugly and scarred by sin. God has to purify my heart and chisel away at the rough edges to create something beautiful in the end. Purification and chiseling is not easy, but it's a necessary part of the my life so that I may one day be made complete in Christ.
I am reminded of a song written by Ron Hamilton that is based on Job 23:10, "But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold." It is titled, Rejoice in the Lord. The chorus goes like this,
Oh rejoice in the Lord. He makes no mistakes.
He knoweth the end of each path that I take.
For when I am tried and purified, I shall come forth as gold.
I encourage you to listen to the song or look up the lyrics. It's a slower song, not like many of the ones we hear today, but the words are beautiful.
Other resources:
The video that goes with Refiner's Fire by Steve Green has some great images showing the refining of gold; not to mention the words to the song are a wonderful reminder of God's refining of me.
As I was looking up the refining of gold, I stumbled across a great piece written by someone who's been through some fires. If you have time, I encourage you to read The Refiner's Fire.
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