THE WRITINGS OF JAMES BRINGS US INTO THE PRACTICAL WORKROOM OF SHIRT SLEEVE CHRISTIANITY

• John wrote of belief and love; Paul of great doctrines - in Hebrews - throne room of God.
• But James writes of the practical, day-by-day work, ethics, practical behavior, etc.
• Who is James?  Bible describes in v.4 that he was the brother of John, son of Alphaeus, Father of Judas (not Iscariot) and the half-brother of Jesus - head of the Jerusalem Council, Acts 15; words say last one.

THE PURPOSE OF TESTING

Few people can resist "Test your IQ", "Are you compatible?", or "Is your brother-in-law nuts?"

WHY IS OUR FAITH TESTED? V.4 - FOR OUR OWN FULL DEVELOPMENT, THAT WE BE MADE PERFECT

• Jesus wanted us to be perfect, entire, nothing lacking from our total development - mature.
• The purpose of trials is to develop the Christian character to full adult maturity - strong.
• Children whose muscles have never developed are crippled; so are untested Christians.

HOW IS OUR FAITH TESTED?  V.3 - TRIALS, NOT ALWAYS A TEMPTATION TO EVIL, OFTEN JUST CARRY WEIGHT

• The way our muscles develop is by being used against pressure - run, life, and we call it play!
• Continued trials of strength build endurance - which is patience in action.  Ability - keep on.
• We cannot grow strong without trials.  Who wants a weak body?  Or a weak faith?

WHAT SHOULD OUR ATTITUED BE TOWARD TESTS? V.2 - "COUNT IT ALL JOY" - NOW DO WE BELIEVE THE BIBLE?

• When our faith is tested we should rejoice - Psa 19:5 - as bridegroom, as strong man to run a race.
• Continually we see young men testing strength - Football; listen to them rejoice when the kick is good!
• If you want real spiritual strength and joy - welcome to the test!  Pass it for Christ and try for greater!

The present defeatist attitude of some Christians - refusal to compete - is a trick of Satan!

THE TESTS OF FAITH

• The Textbook says there are 6, but I get excited and start digging and lose count - you count!

1. The test of prayer (for wisdom) - v.5-8 - the word 'If' assumes that the statement is true!  God as a loving father wants you to have the best - if you lack, ask in faith - with no doubt- accept it!
2. The test of humility (rich or poor) - v.9-11 - The brother of Jesus echoes the Beatitudes.  Being saved changes a person' attitude toward self; no Vanity Fair for this Pilgrim.
3. The test of endurance (not yielding to temptation) - v.12 - a test to see if you love Jesus - here is a promise of a crown to one who runs a race over hurdles - test of strength - not evil.
4. The test of temptation (who is to blame for enticement?) - v.13-17 - God does not entice men!  Any temptation to sin comes from world, flesh, or devil - not God!  Our lust brings our death.
5. The test of appreciation (gifts from God) - v.17 - Father of Lights does not change - shadow?  We need light on God's gifts - count your blessings - many do not appreciate God's graciousness.
6. The test of the New Birth (Born of the Word) - v.18 - He wanted to beget us by the Word - new.  The Bible produces the new birth - receive God's Word - have faith in it, be first fruits of it.
7. The test of the New Life (from the engrafted Word) - v.19-21 - Life sure changed from the past.  Wrath and naughtiness is choked out by the engrafted Word growing stronger; listen to it.
8. The test of being a doer (not a forgetter) - v.22-25 - Some just listen, others obey the Word.  The business of doing good is opposite of primping in front of a mirror and forgetting to be humane.  v.25.
9. The test of the bridled tongue (not deceiving one's self) - v.26 - If you say it enough you will believe it.  This is plain truth - amplified later; Many knock a foul ball on this; real faith affects the tongue!
10. The test of a pure religion (to visit, and be unspotted) - v.27 - two great measurements of self!  To visit - to help; no go, no glow!!  Keep unspotted from the world - Christian action faith.

DID YOU PASS THE TEST????

• You can grade yourself!  I'll pass up the temptation to let your crazy brother-in-law grade you!

THE TESTING DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK OF JAMES IS PLAIN, UNDERSTADABLE, AND YOU CAN TAKE IT!

• The Amos of the New Testament speaks of social injustice with pungent sentences - easily understood - read!

THE TESTING DESCRIBED HERE IS EASY, NOT THE LIFE OR DEATH PERSECUTION THAT CAME LATER!

• These people faced social oppression - wages withheld, lawsuits, before "Bema", but not death!
• But they were not bearing trials with Christian attitude - there were worldly, with strife, dissent.
• They blamed other Christians for their inability to do better; God does not grade on a curve!

WHEN TESTING COMES YOUR WAY, THE BIBLE COMMANDS "REJOICE" - JAMES 1:2 - TO FAIL IS TO SIN!

• If you fail God's test - why not accept Jesus Christ as Saviour - believe the Word - be born again!
• If you are weak - ask God for more testing to build your strength, and do your homework.
• If you are not complete - spend time in the school of the Engrafted Word - seek completeness.