The book of James is a powerful book of admonition. While it is addressed and intended probably for Jewish believers, its admonitions and advises can be a compass for us today. Let's see a few of them; "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
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James 1:2-4 NLT. Troubles, challenges and trials James says should never be wasted. They an opportunity for great joy. Trials can try, but they can never steal our joy as long as we remain focused on the Lord. How does that even make sense someone is saying? James says, temptations, trials and challenges are an opportunity for growth and to be in the Lord's presence. Never forget, in the presence of God, there is fulness of joy. Secondly, there is a dimension of blessings and opportunity that comes to only those who are or have been tested; "God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
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James 1:12 NLT. While satan might use situations like this to tempt and discourage us, they can be an opportunity to show us how blessed we are. Next advise; "Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.
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James 1:19-20 NLT. This one is loud and I wished someone would hear me; human anger does not and cannot produce what God planned. Let's take one more; "What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
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James 2:14-17 NLT. Faith, belief, must show its true nature by the result it produces. Invariably that also means, your faith, however what you claim it to be or how strong it is, is proofed by its results.
