How many times are joy and rejoicing mentioned in this book? A lot. And it is the man in prison who is telling people to “Rejoice in the Lord.” If it were a millionaire telling you to rejoice in the Lord, we might say he does not know what you are going through.
If it is the king of a nation, then you might say the same thing. But this is a man many would pity; therefore, like the tree burning and the leaves untouched, he commands our attention.
Why rejoice in the Lord? Is it a gimmick to get God to act? No.
At the end of his writing, the writer of the book of Hebrews tells us what he expects our response to be to the glory of Christ he had spent much ink exploring.
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, acknowledging his name. (Hebrews 13:15)
Paul said, “Rejoice in the Lord always,” and the writer of the book of Hebrews said, “Continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God.”
Examples of rejoicing we see in the Bible include:
- The apostles, who rejoiced that they were counted worthy to be beaten and to suffer for Christ’s sake (Acts 5:40-41).
- Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and praised the Father. He said that God did not reveal some things to the high and mighty but to little children (Luke 10:21).
- The Ethiopian eunuch, after he became saved, went his way rejoicing (Acts 8:39).
James started his epistles by saying that people should consider it nothing but joy when they fall into all sorts of trials (James 1:2). That is amazing, right?
But he has his reasoning for it. He said it was because the trial was working out something good.
My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything. (James 1:2-4)
Testing of your faith
He calls your trial, from whatever direction, the testing of your faith.
- Abraham was tested and received a bigger promise when he passed (Genesis 22).
- Job, too, was tested and came out of it, if you ask me, smelling like roses.
James said it is a trial, it is a test. The test question is, would you abandon your faith because of the trial, or can your faith withstand it?
Produces endurance
Endurance is a character trait. The ability to stick it out, regardless of the opposition. And we sure have opposition.
- Paul says our struggle is against principalities and powers, unseen forces in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:10-12).
- John wrote that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one (1 John 5:19).
- Jesus said that we should stay awake and pray so that we would not fall into temptation (Matthew 26:41). And who is the tempter? The devil (1 Thessalonians 3:5), right?
Therefore, if there is anything needed, it is endurance to stand against all forces arrayed against us, coming from different directions. And we are supposed to run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1).
And rather than James saying we should have a pity party in trial, he was very, very sure that it is all working out for your good, working endurance.
Paul said something similar to that in the book of Romans.
And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified. (Romans 8:28-30)
All manner of things can happen between being called and being glorified, but we are in an unbroken chain leading to that end designed in the mind of God.
And let endurance have its perfect effect
James is saying the trial might take a while.
For example, Paul wanted his thorn in the flesh to be removed, but he realized that it was to keep him from pride (2 Corinthians 12:7-9). And what do we know about pride? It comes before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).
Basically, I think, Christ has invested so much in Paul that the thorn was his insurance policy against Paul’s falling and all that investment going to waste. That is Christ hedging His bet on Paul.
And remember God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble (Proverbs 3:34).
so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.
God has an end goal here. And James made it plain: That you would not be deficient in anything. We may not understand why the trial is going on for so long, and it seems it is compounding rather than lessening. But God is determined that we are to be deficient in nothing.
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Another look at the words of Christ to Paul:
For even if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I would be telling the truth, but I refrain from this so that no one may regard me beyond what he sees in me or what he hears from me, even because of the extraordinary character of the revelations. Therefore, so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble me—so that I would not become arrogant. I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me. But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:6-10)
Jesus told Paul My power is made perfect in weakness. So the weakness made him qualified for a more perfect expression of God’s power, since his grace overcomes the weakness.
Again note that God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble (Proverbs 3:34). So being embracing his weakness (a point of humility) meant the grace/power would better reside in him.
Paul said he would boast in and is content with his weaknesses, with insults, troubles, persecutions, and difficulties for the sake of Christ, so that the power of Christ would reside in him.
There is a grace that saves you that requires humility, recognizing the need for a savior rather than depending on yourself.
This grace Paul is talking about is the grace for service, which increases his impact for Christ’s sake.
“I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses,” said Paul.
He rejoices in the Lord as Christ gave him a new way to look at the same situation.
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