Walther Eichrodt

"'Holy' describes the character of God as it has been made known to this people; and, as understood in the priestly conception of God, this means him who is unapproachable because of his complete 'otherness' and perfection when compared with all created things."

James 1:1-5 "This is only a test"

What a sweet day in the Lord’s house. God used a passage so familiar to me to just soften my heart and bring me to my knees. James 1:1-5

Have you ever been watching tv or even listening to the radio and all of a sudden you hear this beeping sound and then... “this is only a test, this is only a test?” Well, that was the illustration for this passage.

Verse two gives a photograph of what trials or testing look like. First, trials are sure to come. As a matter of fact they will most certainly come. Secondly, you don’t just get one in a life time or even just one at a time. Often times it seems like we get hit with multiple trials at the same time. And lastly, trials are multicolored or multiple shades…various. Some last longer than others. Some affect us emotionally or physically. The simple point is that there are all sorts of them, and God permits them for specific purposes. But remember “this is only a test.”

The purpose of them is verse three. They produce in our faith endurance/steadfastness/patience. Trials reveal what is already inside us or not inside us. Frankly trials can show whether one has genuinely placed their faith in Christ. Did the seed fall on good soil or did it fall on stony soil? Was it choked out by the weeds? Was it simply lying on the path being pecked by the birds? A trial will reveal the faith or lack there of in God. The trial is only a test and it produces endurance in us.

Verse four: This endurance creates maturity. Not moral perfection but rather a sufficiency in God. Contentment in Him, and thus lacking in nothing. However you must allow this to happen. Let/Allow steadfastness to mature you.

Verse five: The sweet thing is that we don’t have to go it alone. As a matter of fact we can ask God for wisdom. He is the Divine, all knowing, never exhausting well of wisdom thatwe can tap right into when we need it. But again remember that this is only a test.

So now that we know what the testing looks like, the purpose for the testing, and the way for dealing with them, we can actually consider it a joy to be in one. Twisted huh? But a proper response and understanding for this will bring you to tears. It did to me this morning. THE TRIALS ARE ONLY A TEST.