Astonishing advice

Saturday 15 May 2021

Astonishing advice

Consider the various trials as a subject of complete joy. James 1.2

Was the apostle James reasonable to make such a recommendation ? Did he not know what terrible persecutions were raging against all those who recognized that Christ was the Son of God and the Savior of the world ? We can have different attitudes towards our trials.

- See them as punishment from God ! It is ascribing feelings to him that he does not have, although he allows us to be tried.

- Thinking that God is no longer interested in us ! Could such a loving and attentive Father lose interest in his children ?

- Forget the promises that God makes to us in his Word ! It is a lack of confidence in his help, yet promised under all circumstances !

God knows what it takes to grow in faith and strengthen our Christian life. Let us take the example of the apostles put on trial by religious authorities. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, joyful at having been deemed worthy of mistreatment for the name of Jesus (Acts of the Apostles 5:41). This is surprising !

Our trials are far from comparable to those of the apostle Paul. What did he say ? We are proud even of our distresses, knowing that distress produces perseverance, perseverance victory in trial, and victory in trial hope. (Romans 5.3-4)

Shouldn't such testimonies of faith make us see our trials differently ?

Yves Perrier

__________________

Proposed reading : Letter from James, chapter 1, verses 2 to 15.

Source (Live Today)