And let steadfastness have its full effect...
we will go deeply into this the next few days before hitting our 2 week pause on the study. James started this thought with stating we should count it all a joy when various trials come our way, for we know that the testing of our faith produces steadfastness.
He will now go deeper into this meaning- and it is both exciting and humbling. Verse 4 gives us a very clear picture of how a person saved by grace responds in the times of trials. The mark of a believer. This is not saying that we will be perfect- nor is that conveyed in the word "perfect," as we will discuss tomorrow. It means that the hope of our joy, the anchor of our soul, the Rock of our foundation is now and forever will be CHRIST.
Reverend McCleoud in his James series says," Once bad times can be consistently counted as joy in Jesus...and faith is battle-tested and rising day by day in Jesus...and a walk is steadfast, unmovable and always abounding in Jesus...The Christian has EVERYTHING. The full effect of steadfastness is a Christian who understands that JESUS IS ENOUGH. He or she will understand that everything we see around us is temporary. We begin to live for another place!"
Again Philippians 3:8 Paul understands this as he boasts in the Lord- teaching us through example to count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of Christ...that he might gain Christ! Paul is a man who has put everything into his hope of the Gospel. That Jesus is the Christ! That He now sits at the right hand of the Father. Paul, James, Peter, Timothy, Mary, Priscilla.... they all show us, teach us, and exemplify to us lives that have been changed by the truth of the Gospel. That Jesus is enough.
We might say that we are Christians- but does our lives testify to it? Are we using this time of aching and chaos and loneliness and confusion to point others, through the testimony of our own walks, to the one who is worthy? To the only One who can give us hope? Who is the only one who can quench the thirst that so many are dying of with a living water?! Have we become yet, the woman at the well- who when she encounters the Messiah runs to tell the others? OR, are we using our friendships, media platforms and time for other uses and other diatribes? Friend if you are a believer.... you have the glorious hope of the Gospel within you and abounding in you and the ability to offer it to others! Everything else around us is temporary- in a world full of suffering- offer HOPE.
Because through every trial, wave and storm- JESUS IS ENOUGH.
Worship today: Oh love that will not let me go
ALSO- here is a link to the FREE audio reading of John Piper's book: Coronavirus and Christ.
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