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The Book of James is unlike any other book in the New Testament. An important theme, obvious in the first few verses, is the presence of trials in the life of a believer. John MacArthur preached through the book of James back in 1986. He gives a helpful introduction to this theme of trials as testing: Whether it’s gold or silver or precious metals, whether it’s diamonds, precious stones or money, anything that is in and of itself of intrinsic value is subjected to testing to affirm its true worth. And the most valuable commodity in all the world is the commodity of eternal salvation. It is priceless. It is of highest value. To have a right relationship with the living God is to possess the most valuable thing in existence. And all those people who believe they have that possession should subject that to a process of testing to determine its validity. There are people, you know, all over the world who if asked whether they have salvation would reply “yes,” but who are wrong. True salvation needs to be subject to examination, subject to testing. That is a biblical concept, the testing of salvation is throughout Scripture called for. Read the whole sermon.

And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. —James 1:4-5 James gives us a second command in James 1:4 — “And let steadfastness have its full effect.” The Whole Thought We should consider it joy when trials come our way because these trials test our faith and such testing produces steadfastness (James 1:2-3). And let that steadfastness be real. Let it have its full effect so that we may be complete, lacking nothing (James 1:4). We’re not supposed to stop at verse 3. Steadfastness is not the goal. Trials test our faith and sharpen our trust in God, but sturdy faith alone leaves us dissatisfied. And James doesn’t want us to short-circuit the outcome of our difficult circumstances—let steadfastness have it’s full effect! There is a Purpose Here The purpose for letting steadfastness have its full effect is that by it we become complete. This perfection and completion is not a degree of moral excellence or abstract maturity. The completion towards which we move and yearn is conformity to Christ’s image—it is “mature manhood, the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). The goal of our steadfastness is that we become transformed into the image of Jesus. This is why our faith endures, this is why trials are put in our lives—we are being changed. This reality totally revolutionizes how we see difficulties, whether it is suffering, spoiled hopes, or stressful assignments. They test our faith, our faith endures, and this endurance makes us more like Jesus Christ. Ask for Wisdom And we need our perspective revolutionized. James 1:2-4 may not make sense to us, but we need it to. So if we don’t get it, let us ask God for wisdom. He gives generously (James 1:5; Colossians 1:9-10; 2 Timothy 2:7).

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. —James 1:2-3 James sounds a lot like Paul. What James Says James 1:2-3 instructs us to consider it joy when we meet difficulty. The basis to this command is that such difficulty, or “the testing of your faith,” produces steadfastness. There are three elements here in James: the command, the situation, and the result. A. Be joyful B. in our trials C. because trials, which test your faith, produce steadfastness. What Paul Says Romans 5:3 tells us that we rejoice in our sufferings. This rejoicing is based upon what we know about suffering: “suffering produces endurance.” And this endurance is itself fruitful, producing character and then character hope. Although they’re not mentioned in James, character and hope are certainly implied (James 1:4). There are three elements here in Paul: the indicative, the situation, and the result. A. We rejoice B. in our sufferings C. because we know that sufferings produce endurance (and its full effect). Taken Together James and Paul, put them together and what do you get? —a solid theology of the hope-producing effect of trials from two New Testament authors who many scholars claim to be at odds. It is glorious: we should be joyful and rejoice in the midst of our trials and sufferings because these things are actually producing steadfastness and endurance in us.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. —James 1:2-3 What makes James 1:2-3 a Christian verse and not just a good proverb that shows up in a fortune cookie? Imagine a poster of an athlete, sweating, head down, decorated with the following phrase: “Be joyful when you face trials, because trials will test you so that you can be stronger and firmer when it’s over.” Plenty of self-help gurus would have you believe that positive thinking in adversity is the key to a happy life. But is that the point of James 1:2-3? Emphatically no. James 1:2-3 is grounded upon the glorious work of Jesus Christ on our behalf. We can count trials as all joy because (here’s the reason James gives) the testing of faith will show that our faith is genuine. How Is Faith Tested in Trials? Trials cause us to despair of ourselves and we realize afresh that we are not in control. We have a choice to make. Do we cleave to God and his promises or do we become doubters, grumblers, anxious, and angry? For example, you get a phone call from the doctor and he says you have a malignant tumor. It is in this moment that your faith in Christ is tested. Do I despair of life, or do I, with trepidation and through tears, meditate on a promise of God: “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things” (Romans 8:31-32). The Joy of Pointing Back So before this trial you believed in God, but after this trial you can point back to genuine faith expressed in the fact that you cleaved to God in a difficult circumstance. What an opportunity for joy! Furthermore, not only is the testing of faith a fresh opportunity to glorify God and trust in his unfailing commitment to you in Christ Jesus, but there is reward waiting: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. —Philippians 2:12-13 The same man who wrote the verses above also wrote, “by grace you have been saved through faith…it is the gift of God, not a result of works" (Ephesians 2:8-9). So why do we need to work out our salvation when works do not save us? Because though we are saved by God’s unconditional electing grace (Ephesians 1:4; 2:5) through the gift of faith, the works we do prove that our faith is real (James 2:18). Works are evidence of election. That’s why on one hand Jesus says, “No one can come to me unless the Father…draws him” (election) (John 6:44), and on the other hand he says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments (evidence of election) (John 14:15). He ties both together when he says, “My sheep hear my voice (election) and I know them, and they follow me” (evidence) (John 10:27). A Distinguishing Marker Why God ordered it this way is seen in some of Jesus’ parables. He says that when the gospel net is cast into the sea of the world and it “gather[s] fish of every kind,” (Matthew 13:47) some righteous and some evil. The visible church is always mixed catch, or always has weeds among the wheat (Matthew 13:24-30), or always has goats among the sheep (Matthew 25:31-46). What distinguishes the elect from others is that their God-given faith is demonstrated by their God-dependent works (James 2:14-26). Faith works through love (Galatians 5:6). Words are cheap. Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Your works are not decisive in your salvation. They are evidence of God’s saving work in you. And that is why you must “be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure” (2 Peter 1:10) by working out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. —Philippians 2:10-11 One day, cancer will bow. One day, pain and sorrow and hurt will eat dust. One day, racism and prejudice will fall on their faces in abject surrender. One day, atheists will believe and demons will shudder, forced to face the One they have hated and denied. One day, there will be no uncertainty, no ambiguity, no shades of gray. One day, oh one day, every knee will bow, every stiff neck will bend, every rebellious heart, every arrogant spirit, every proud thought will kneel before the King. There will be no debate, nor argument, no objection. One day, there will only be assent, recognition, and humility. One day. One day. One day the cry of the heart will not be “Me! Me! Me!” It will be “Him! Him! Him!” One day every fist raised in fight will sink to its side as open palms rise in deference. One day every tongue, every voice, every capacity to communicate will have but one message: “He is Lord! He is Lord! He is Lord!” “Glory!” will be the anthem. “Glory!” will be song. Every exhalation will be exaltation. One day. Oh, one day. “How can such a thing be,” you ask? Because of one day. One day the infinite, eternal Son of God, the Word who was in the beginning with God, who was God, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, made himself nothing; he took on the form of a servant. One day, the Creator of man took on the form of man, being born in the likeness of men. One day, being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient. One day, the Son, the Word, the eternal joy of the Father, the Beloved and Begotten went to the cross, and he died. One day, the plan of God to express the fullness of His glory to the created sphere through sacrificial, redemptive love was realized in the death of Christ on the cross. On that day, God exalted him. On that day, God bestowed on His Son, the name that is above all names. The praiseworthy name. The trustworthy name. The sacrifice-worthy name. The honor-worthy name. The glory-worthy name. The bowing the knee and proclaiming out loud worthy name. One day became that day and will become one day again. But in between that day and one day is today. Right now. One day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess because there will be no other choice. No will of man or angel or beast shall rise against the will of God, one day. Today, however, we have a choice. Today we may bow and confess because we get to, not because we have to. Today we may join the Father in the exaltation of the Son! Today, we are free to bow and submit and honor and glory. We do not have to wait for one day. Today can be that day, if we will but bow the heart, submit the spirit, surrender the mind to the all encompassing, discipline the body to the living truth that Jesus Christ is Lord! For Reflection Philippians overflows with joy and thanksgiving. Look carefully at the entire passage where Philippians 2:10-11 is located. Can you find seven or more reasons in these verses where something Jesus is or does would cause glory to be given to God? Think carefully about the name of Jesus at which the entire creation will bow and confess. Names, especially the names of famous people, cause us to think certain things about the people they identify. What does the name of Jesus bring to mind that would make Him worthy of praise? One day, because of who God is, because of who Christ is, the entire created world will proclaim God’s glory. What one thing can you do today to proclaim God’s glory to the world?

so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. —Philippians 2:10-11 When Paul says that “Jesus Christ is Lord” he is alluding to some verses in the Old Testament, the book of Isaiah, chapter 45. So to get what he’s saying let’s take a closer look. Isaiah 45:22-23 — Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. 23 By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.’ There Is No Other Isaiah 45 is this end-time vision of the LORD receiving universal worship. All the ends of the earth will bow before him. Part of this universal worship is the affirmation of the LORD’s sovereign, unique identity. This bowing before the LORD is a recognition that he alone is the one true God. This is repeated throughout this section: the LORD says “besides me there is no other” and besides me there is no god” . . . “I am the LORD, and there is no other” (Isaiah 43:11; 44:6, 8; 45:5-6, 14, 18). The theme of this section in Isaiah (that Paul quotes from) is the LORD’s unique divine identity, it is about his name, who he is. Who God Is The Bible unpacks for us who God is. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He is the Creator of all things, the Redeemer of Israel, the Sovereign one who is slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. The LORD is the one true God and there is no other. And so as the one true God, the LORD, says “To me every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess.” This bowing before and confessing the LORD is based upon his identity, because of who he is everything will honor him. It’s At the Name of Jesus And in Philippians 2, Paul takes this phrase “every knee and every tongue” and he inserts “at the name of Jesus.” This kind of universal worship, we see in Isaiah 45, belongs only to the LORD Almighty. And Paul is here saying that it is at the name of Jesus that this kind of worship will happen. So it’s clear: Paul is declaring Jesus as the unique divine identity. Jesus is LORD, that is the name bestowed upon him. God exalting Jesus is him saying, “Jesus is the LORD Almighty.” Jesus is who God is. . . . If you want to know who God is, look at Jesus.

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, —Philippians 2:8-9 What did it mean for Jesus to humble himself? We must simply admit that this is beyond us. Of course it was humbling for the Lord of glory, who created all things, to become part of the creation. He became “for a little while lower than the angels” and lived 30 years unrecognized by anyone except very few. We know that “not even his brothers believed in him.” More than that, he lived without sin in a sin-filled world. If Lot was distressed by what he witnessed in Sodom, imagine what it was like to be the pure Son of God living in a world governed by the Evil One. No wonder he was a man of sorrows. More than that, when he came out publicly, he was “despised and rejected by men”—by his own people. Even his closest followers did not really understand his mission, and when his hour came, one betrayed him, another denied him, and all abandoned him. But this was not the depth of his humbling. The supremely humbling moment was when Jesus, who knew no sin, was made to be sin for us. This Holy One, who had only done what was pleasing to the Father, took upon himself all our unholy sin and bore the full brunt of the Father’s wrathful displeasure that should have fallen on us. Mercifully, we will never know by experience what it cost Jesus to humble himself in this way. But being preeminent in all things, he showed himself supremely humble. And supremely humbling himself under his Father’s mighty hand, we will all rejoice in the righteous glory of the Father exalting his Son above all others.

In chapter nine of When I Don’t Desire God, John Piper introduces a memorable and helpful acronym for what to pray before reading Scripture— I. O. U. S. Incline my heart to you, not to prideful gain or any false motive. (Psalm 119:36) Open my eyes to behold wonderful things in your Word. (Psalm 119:18) Unite my heart to fear your name. (Psalm 86:11) Satisfy me with you steadfast love. (Psalm 90:14) An unfortunate side effect of repeatedly praying the same prayer is that, over a period of time, it can lose its sense of pertinence. One way to keep it fresh is to unpack the content with language that expresses what you mean in a new way. For example, here’s an amplification of the I. O. U. S. prayer: Incline my heart to you, not to prideful gain or any false motive. That is, focus my affections and desires upon you, and eradicate everything in me that would oppose such a focus. Open my eyes to behold wonderful things in your Word. That is, let your light shine and show me what you have willed to communicate through the biblical authors. Unite my heart to fear your name. That is, enthrall me with who you are. Satisfy me with your steadfast love. That is, fulfill me with the fact that your covenant love has been poured out on me through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ May the LORD answer our prayers! By the immeasurable grace poured upon us in Christ, may he work wonders in our hearts as we receive his Word.

[But] whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ —Philippians 3:7-8 Jesus teaches us that following him means treasuring him above everything else. That is what he means by the short parable in Matthew 13:44: “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field.” The treasure in that field is worth all the loss the man goes through in order to obtain the field. The treasure is worth it. This is simple ROI. John Piper writes, “Becoming a disciple of Jesus means writing “LOSS” in big red letters over all your possessions—and everything else this world offers” (“Called to Suffer and Rejoice”). Four Practical Pictures But what does this look like on a practical level? What does it mean to treasure Jesus more than anything else? Piper goes on to show us in four different pictures: It means that whenever I am called upon to choose between anything in this world and Christ, I choose Christ. It means that I will deal with the things of this world in ways that draw me nearer to Christ so that I gain more of Christ and enjoy more of him by the way I use the world. It means that I will always deal with the things of this world in ways that show that they are not my treasure, but rather show that Christ is my treasure. It means that if I lose any or all the things this world can offer, I will not lose my joy or my treasure or my life, because Christ is all. Read or listen to the entire sermon [1992].

In the opening pages of his Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, Lloyd-Jones writes: It is possible for us to read the Bible in such a mechanical manner that we derive no benefit from doing so. . . . It is a good thing to read the Bible daily but be quite profitless if we merely do so for the sake of being able to say we read the Bible daily. I am a great advocate of schemes of Bible reading, but we have to be careful that in our use of such schemes we are not content just to read a portion for the day and then rush off without thought and meditation. That can be quite profitless. Our approach to the Bible is something which is of vital importance (p. 6). To be sure, our approach to reading the Bible is determined by our aim. So then what is our aim? Why do we read the Bible? Even if we go deeper in thought to meditate and memorize, to what end do we meditate and memorize? Our aim in reading the Bible is to believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. To settle for anything less than faith in the exalted Lord is to undermine the goal of Scripture and miss its central message. We do not read the Bible to learn “stuff about God,” nor to gain moral advice, nor to increase our literacy in religious dialogue. We want Christ! Through all its diversity, the Bible really does tell one story—the glory of God’s grace in saving sinners through the death and resurrection of his Son, the Lord Jesus. We read primarily to understand that story a little more, and then a little more, and a then little more—until one day we are completely overcome by its wonder so much that we’ll sing in an even nobler, sweeter song his power to save.

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations —Deuteronomy 7:9 In chapter 11 of Future Grace John Piper clarifies a major difference between the old covenant and the new— The fact that we live in this new day under the new covenant should fill us with joy. But our joy should not be at the expense of Old Testament truth. Sometimes, to exalt our precious privilege as beneficiaries of the new covenant, we will over-criticize the old covenant. But what we are seeing in this chapter is that the old is not deficient because it was a commanding covenant, or because it commanded wrong things. It was deficient because it was not accompanied, by and large, with inner, transforming, enabling divine power (see Romans 8:3) (p. 148). It is a mistake to think that all the commands of the Bible are only found in the Old Testament. The fundamental difference in the New Covenant is that it’s characterized by the Holy Spirit who empowers believers to believe and obey God. There was a remnant throughout the history of Israel who understood the need to look away from themselves for this spiritual enabling. Piper writes of them: They knew that without the empowering future grace of God, given in answer to prayer, they would not be able to see the wonders of God in his Word [Psalm 119:18]. And they knew that without the sovereign heart-inclining grace of God, they would drift away from him into the love of money [Psalm 119:36]. They prayed for the future grace of joy and a clean heart and a steadfast spirit; and that God himself would make them willing to do what he commands (p. 146).