Trials and Maturity in the life of a Follower of Messiah
James, the bond-slave of God, writes these ancient words for us modern-day followers to consider wholeheartedly:
Beloved of God, consider it a great calmful delight whenever you fall into the midst or are surrounded by a diverse of trials, temptations, afflictions, and calamities. Come to know, realize, and learn that the testing of your fidelity and belief will yield steadfastness.
You will manifest full-grown, perfect spiritual character as a result. Now if any of you fall short of divine insight, skill, or intelligence, ask God who gives bountifully and graciously without reproach. James 1:2-5
James’s encouragement to the scattered Believers of Messiah in the ancient world reveals the superior and divine nature of God’s wisdom over human wisdom during hardships. In verse 12 is the hidden wisdom of God’s will for all believers in the present existence and the future to come.
Through God’s wisdom, faithful followers who endure trials are blessed because passing the test that is before you will receive the crown [honor, glory] of life in this present and future existence.
God’s Wisdom
What is the difference between human wisdom and divine wisdom from God? Human wisdom is earthly, unspiritual, and oppositional to God in orientation. In contrast, divine wisdom is God’s origin, Christ-centered, and Spirit-led. It seeks to glorify the Lord, not oneself, by focusing on the eternal wisdom of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice. [1 Corinthians 1:21-25]
The wisdom of God is a divine attribute and energy that is expressed in diversified ways.
- His wisdom is in the skies-Job 38:36
- Founded the Earth-Proverbs 3:19
- Made all things-Jeremiah 10:12
- Is with Him-Job 12:13
- God alone knows it-Job 28:23
- He is the One who gives it-Proverbs 2:6
- He is the One who shows its secrets-Job 11:6
Divine Wisdom is Personified
- She was begotten before all things to be the architect and counselor of God in the Creation-Proverb 8:22-31
- She builds a palace and spreads a feast for those who will receive her instruction-Proverbs 9:1
- She teaches in public-Proverbs 1:20
- She gives her pupils the divine Spirit-Proverbs 1:23
- By her discipline, the simple becomes wise, rulers rule wisely, and those seeking her are richly rewarded-Proverbs 8:14
Divine Wisdom for Humanity
- Seek after and obtaining wisdom is the principal thing-Proverbs 4:7
- Wisdom’s fundamental principle is to fear God-Psalms 111:10
- Wisdom is of inestimable worth-Job 28:18
- Wisdom is beyond the reach of scorners-Proverbs 14:6
- God gives wisdom to the good-Ecclesiastes 2:26
- Men/Women are to incline the ear to her-Proverbs 2:2
- Attend unto wisdom-Proverbs 5:1
- Seek after her-Ecclesiastes 7:25
- Know, behold, and get her-Proverbs 24:14; Ecclesiastes 2:12, Proverbs 4:5,7
- Treat her like a sister-Proverbs 7:4
- Happy is a man/woman who finds her-Proverbs 3:13
Closing Reflections
Spiritually reborn living souls are not excluded in enduring trials, tribulations, temptation, and afflictions in this fallen world. Yet the difference in how His faithful ones respond to these challenges should be very different than non-believers.
The telling contrast between believer and non-believer is that God will provide His servants with a supernatural awareness of His presence and grace throughout the trials, as opposed to the extreme level of sorrow, anxiousness, and unbiblical responses that is preeminent in the life of an unbeliever or an immature follower.
The “Joy” that mature faithful followers have during trials comes to their aid via the Holy Spirit and not from human emotions or sources. Life in the Spirit of God is forged by walking in the “Fruit of the Spirit” not by the futility of the corruptible flesh during our short journey on earth.
This is how God gets His glory in the life of those whom He has called unto Himself. Brother James affirms this statement with these words:
“Every good act and compete bestowment is from above, coming down from the Heavenly Father as our source; with Him, no variation or faint image is turning or shifting.
By His own choice, He gave us a New Birth by His Divine Wisdom, so that we would be the coverts of the Holy Spirit called by Christ!” Amen. James 1:17-18
