The book of James in the Bible is about what an authentic and real Christian faith looks like.
One attribute of this real faith is how we understand life’s struggles.
James writes that we should “consider it purpose joy” as we persevere though hardships - through “trials of many kinds” - so that we can grow and become mature in our faith.
Over and over, the Scriptures tell us maturity is the goal for all who follow Jesus.
An old proverb says: “For gold is proved in the fire, and men in the furnace of affliction”.
A goldsmith of a bygone era would refine gold by heating it up.
As the impurities rise to the top of the molten gold, the goldsmith would then slowly remove the impurities.
He continues the process until he could see his own reflection in the liquid gold.
Likewise, God often turns up the heat in our lives to refine us and get rid of the “impurities” that exist - things in our life that don’t please God.
He continues to do this until he can see himself more and more reflected in us.
That is why James says to consider our trials “pure joy”.
We have an end goal in mind; to reflect God and be “complete, not lacking anything”.
That does not mean we will enjoy our trials. But through life’s pains and hardships we persevere to something better.
And this means we can appreciate God’s bigger purpose for those who have put their faith in Jesus – to be “transformed into his likeness” (2 Cor 3:18).
~ Contributed by Pastor Chris Taylor of the Deniliquin Baptist Church, on behalf of the Combined Churches of Deniliquin.
