Take Responsibility

Take Responsibility 

Each of us has been entrusted with something, and we shouldn't take anything for granted. What did we have to do with the country where we were born or the family we became a part of? Nothing. It’s the same with our natural talents. There is a gift inside of you that even you haven't discovered yet.

Think about the story Jesus told: each servant was given money according to his ability. The word "ability" (dunamis) which is used in the New Testament 120 times can also mean "power" or "miraculous power". Your dunamis isn't a skill you developed. It is a supernatural empowerment God had for you so that you can grow and multiply it. You didn't earn your initial dunamis, but once you take responsibility of what you were given, you will be rewarded with more. 

Notice that they had to do something with what the master gave them. It wasn't an easy gift where you can lie back and know you are great whether you do something or not. They had to use it to make it grow. So many people neglect their creative gift because there is hard work and responsibility required; therefore, they often give up on their gift. 

Our gift shouldn't scare us. It's all we need to be able to give fruit, but there is one condition we have to meet - we need to accept the responsibility the gift requires. And when we work with our gift, more will be given.

The Result of Trials

We know we are going to experience trials and we have seen, James tell us, to count it joy when we do. When we respond with joy what will be the result? Again, James does not leave us without an answer… and what an answer it is! 

The trial will put our faith to the test. The little Greek word for test has the idea of purifying or refining and this refining will result in patience. This word literally means to “remain under.” The truth here is that when we are in trials we develop the ability to remain under – to have patience. But what is it that we remain under? God’s protection and God’s instruction. We need His protection while we are under the trial and He promises never to leave us nor forsake us. We also need His instruction to help us know Him in a most unique way – while under a trial. God wants us to fully experience all that we need, and remaining under Him during a trial is the best way to gain that knowledge.

James goes on to say that this patience will result in a perfect work. The word perfect here can also be translated complete or mature. This remaining under results in the maturing of our faith, the completing of our faith. James describes our lives lived through these trials as perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Through trials our faith is matured – it grows up – and we see that we are blessed with everything God has provided for us to live full rich lives in Christ. We can reap the full benefits of what our loving Father wants us to have. 

Paul tells us that the treasure of God’s power is housed in our cracked ordinary clay pots. He uses these words to describe us: we are not crushed, not in despair, not forsaken, and not destroyed. In fact, we are described as strengthened for battle and victorious. We are ones whose lives reflect the life of Jesus because we have been through these trials. 

Trials… expect them, respond to them with joy, and know that you are made strong and that you will experience Him more deeply because of the trials in your life. Amen

Read for reference

James 1:3-4

Hebrews 11:34

2 Corinthians 4:7-10

2 Corinthians 12:9

The Response of Trials

James gives us four different answers to this important question. First, he sends these fellow believers “Greetings.” This little word in the Greek does not mean hello, or what’s up, or how are you doing? It is a command to rejoice or to be satisfied. What James is saying to his brothers and sisters in Christ is his command for them to be satisfied with where they are and to rejoice because they are experiencing these trials together in Christ. What an incredible truth… our trials are an opportunity for contentment and rejoicing.

Next, he writes to his brothers – those who were experiencing trials with him. We can know from this that we do not experience trials alone and that we can look to other believers to help us through trials. God has provided the fellowship of believers to walk with us through difficult times which is also another reason to rejoice.

Third, he tells them to count it all joy when they fall into various trials. We have all experienced trials of varying kinds and we should expect them given that Jesus told us to expect them; however, James tells them to count it all joy. What he is telling his audience is to consider, get the facts, step back and take a good look at what is going on. Why? To see the Lord in the middle of the trial. He then tells them to have all joy. Not a little joy or some joy, but all joy. Literally total joy, joy that is not tainted by depression or self-pity. Why? Because they can see Christ in the middle of the trial. 

Finally, James uses the word knowing. In the Greek this is a word that translates to know by experience. In other words, the only way to get this knowing is by experience. The only way to know Christ fully in the middle of a trial and thus to have joy is to experience the trial. 

How do we respond to trials? With joy, because we know and have experienced Christ in the midst of our trials.

Read for reference

James 1:2-3

Hebrews 12:1-3

Philippians 2:12-13

Trials

Trials

The truth is that life throws a lot of curves at us that can break us. But, like broken bones that heal stronger than before and scar tissue that is stronger than skin, God can bring strength out of brokenness.

The disciples in their writings and Jesus Himself told us that we were to expect trials. In fact, James, in his letter, writes that he knew all about trials. He calls himself a bondservant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. A bondservant was one who voluntarily served another – a voluntary slave to another. In this case, James is a voluntary slave of God and Jesus. This was no small thing because in the early church the persecution of those following Jesus was severe. To state publicly that you were a slave of Jesus meant that you had a target on your back and that persecution would soon follow.

James’ audience are Jewish believers who were persecuted for their faith and had relocated to escape. James calls them brothers, a term of their bond in Christ, and a term that expresses the closeness that only comes through facing trials together. 

“Trials are not optional; they are inevitable. Trials are a normal part of God’s process of bringing us to glory.” Jesus told us that we would experience trials and the Apostle Peter calls them “fiery trials.” The reality is that all of the disciples went through trials as did Jesus, and so will we. The question is not if we will experience trials, the question is how will we respond to them? 

Read for reference

James chapter 1 :1-27

1 Peter 4:12