Passage: James 1:2-4 Speaker: Pastor Jon Kopp Series: Faith that Works
Speaker: Jon Kopp - God’s word is very clear that believers will face trials of many kinds. Just as our Lord was tested in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1-11), and just as he endured temptation (Heb. 4:15), so we too are called to endure trials and temptation. However, the Bible also promises us that God will use our trials for our good, strengthening us and leading us to rely more fully on him. Both Peter and Paul make similar points in Rom. 5:3-5 and 1 Pet. 1:6-7. So, “when all kinds of trials crowd into your lives my brothers, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends! Realize that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance. But let the process go on until that endurance is fully developed, and you will find you have become men of mature character with the right sort of independence.” - JB Phillips paraphrase of James 1:2-4